Clinical Professor Stanley A. Herring, MD, presented the Rusty Wright Memorial Lecture at the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine annual meeting in Seattle on April 30. Dr. Herring spoke on “The Zackery Lystedt story: The history of youth concussion laws.”
Dr. Herring discussed the history of youth concussion laws, tracing how youth sports concussion legislation was enacted in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., through the story of Zackery Lystedt and his family. The lecture highlighted Washington State’s landmark Lystedt Law, the first comprehensive youth concussion law in the United States, and the national movement that followed. Dr. Herring also discussed what this movement achieved, as well as the challenges and opportunities that remain.
Zackery Lystedt was a 13-year-old Washington state football player who suffered a concussion during a game in October 2006. After briefly leaving the field, he returned to play and later collapsed, sustaining a catastrophic brain injury that required emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation. His experience led to the passage of the Lystedt Law in 2009, which requires that young athletes suspected of having a concussion be removed from play and cleared by a licensed healthcare professional before returning. The law became a model for similar legislation nationwide.
Dr. Herring was joined on stage by several key stakeholders, including Zackery Lystedt, who appeared with his family and shared a message with attendees.
In photos:
- Dr. Herring speaks at AOASM.
- Dr. Herring stands with other stakeholders who contributed to the Lystedt Law.
- Dr. Herring (right) stands with Zackery Lystedt (left).