Tebow's fighting pose

Watching the third quarter of the UF game against the University of Kentucky sent thousands of Gators fans in Gainesville into a fit of panic at the end of September.

Heisman-hopeful Tim Tebow was injured when his head hit offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert’s knee. Usually unfazed by collisions and tackles, the senior quarterback didn’t get up from the startling hit.

And fans watching the game on T.V., who are familiar with what physicians call the “fencing response,” or the “pugilistic pose,” probably knew why the collegiate wonder boy was taken off the field surrounded by a team of athletic trainers.

As UK professor Dr. Jonathan Lifshitz’s research shows, 60 percent of athletes who suffered blows to the head in sports like football and boxing that resulted in concussions exhibited the characteristic response:

Falling to the ground with both arms raised and bent 90 degrees at the elbow.

And while not all athletes who get concussions demonstrate this response, the fencing position is a sure indicator to parents and coaches that an athlete should be checked out by a physician who can perform a head CT or an MRI of the head.

Here are some other emergency signs that a concussion may have occurred, from the health guide at www.howstuffworks.com.

("Concussion Image." 16 May 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. 26 October 2009.)

• Persistent unconsciousness (coma)
• Altered level of consciousness (drowsy, hard to arouse, or similar changes)
• Persistent confusion
• Convulsions
• Repeated vomiting
• Unequal pupils
• Unusual eye movements
• Muscle weakness on one or both sides
• Walking problems

Most athletes can expect a full recovery from a concussion, but lasting health effects can occur, including prolonged dizziness, irritability and headaches. Also, intracerebral hermorrhaging -- bleeding in the brain, a complication from a concussion – may cause permanent brain damage.

I was shocked when the medical team responsible for deciding whether or not Tebow would be healthy enough to play in the next week’s big game gave the UF coaching staff the go-ahead to put him in against LSU.

Most children and young adults who have suffered a concussion should not play sports for at least three weeks after their injury, according to the concussion article.

I am sure he received the best care possible; I just hope the decision to allow him to play will not result in future complications for the quarterback.