A recent Purdue University found some startling statistics about the prevalence and severity of concussions in high school football. With roughly 1 million high schoolers playing football any given year, the study found some 67,000 reported concussions. But just as important as the concussions, a Slate.com article details, the researchers found an equal number of concussions go unreported “because fans, coaches, and parents don't want a star athlete pulled from a game.”

Reports Slate.com: Some of the high-schoolers studied suffered about 150 head impacts per week during the season, or about 1,500 impacts per year. On average, the hits carried a force of around 40G. (The force of impacts is measured by sensors within helmets.) These hits did not knock players out, but they caused systematic changes in their brain functioning. Unlike the violent helmet-to-helmet collisions in the open field that have drawn warnings and suspensions from the NFL, these blows usually involved routine blocks and tackles, often along the line of scrimmage.

A new Texas law (HB2038) is designed to take the guesswork out of whether to take student athletes out of games in such circumstances. The law requires to immediately remove players who show signs of a concussion during a game or practice and have them evaluated by a doctor.

“This is a great step for the safety of student athletes in Texas,” says The Lanier Law Firm’s Gene Egdorf, who has successfully represented injured student athletes and their families. “The University Interscholastic League has had some safeguards for players showing concussion symptoms, but getting these student-athletes checked out by a physician will help ensure that they are fit to play.”