![Minutes before the Activities Fair in the gym, president Abhi Gowda ‘26 prepares the stall for his club Helping Hands, Sept. 4. A relatively new club, Helping Hands was co-started by Gowda and focuses on assisting the homeless, and just last year they succeeded in raising a couple hundred donations to send to shelters. This year, they have goals to expand, with hopes to increase volunteer opportunities and take in-person trips to shelters, as well as extend their help beyond just homeless people. “The Activities Fair gives a lot of underclassmen the opportunity to really get to know the Canyon culture, and it gives them many opportunities for service and volunteering,” Gowda said. “[Through the Activities Fair,] I hope to find a bunch of new and passionate members about our club and just get our name out there and spread awareness to the cause that we’re fighting for.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1-2-1200x885.jpg)
![The winter guard team makes fifth place at the state championship finals in the Denver Coliseum, March 30. The team performed to Barnes Country's “Glitter and Gold,” lead by coaches Margo Sanford, Blair Bickerton and Anna Orgren. In their class there were a total of nine groups participating, and the top five who made it to finals received a plaque. “[Walking onto the stage] is very nerve-wracking, but also very exciting as well. When you first start color guard there's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty when you first perform in front of an audience, but once you've done it for a while, it starts to become the best part of the season,” Ella West ‘25 said. “It's very fulfilling to see an audience react to something you've put your heart and soul into.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Both-socal-media-nd-website-main-1-1200x846.jpg)
![April marks the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, created by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). This month is to spread awareness of the harassment, assault and abuse that happens around the world. The symbol that represented the month was a teal ribbon; however, some survivors of assault create different symbols and movements like the TikTok trend in 2022, where survivors would tattoo Medusa on their body, in honor of her backstory in Greek Mythology. “I don't think [this month is known] at all. I rarely see anybody talk about it. I rarely see much of an emphasis on posting it online, or much discussion about it, and I feel like there needs to be way more discussion,” an anonymous source said. “I think just validating every experience that a person has gone through, regardless of the degree of it, the severity, is an essential step into making sure that people are aware that this is a very real problem in a society and that we need to do better in addressing it.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0011-1200x900.jpg)
![Lesbian Visibility Day is April 26, and it’s a holiday to celebrate the lesbian community of the world. Lesbian Visibility day was established in 2008 by many queer activists and organizations who sought to raise more awareness for lesbian history and culture. “So this is why during Lesbian Visibility [Day] we celebrate and center all lesbians, both cis and trans, while also showing solidarity with all LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people,” Linda Reily, in an article written by her, said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Lesbian-Visibility-day.jpeg)
The Risks of Playing Football
The good, bad and untold risks of playing tackle football.
media by Danny Curran
A graphic depicts some of the health risks associated with playing football.
April 6, 2023
Backstory of Hamlin’s Injury:
On Jan. 2, during the Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals game, Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field, suffering from a cardiac arrest. After he tackled Bengals’ wide receiver Tee Higgins, Hamlin got up, and three seconds later, he collapsed. His heartbeat was restored on the field by Bills’ medical personnel. He stayed at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and the Buffalo General Medical Center for a total of nine days. On Jan. 31, Hamlin was declared able to breathe, walk, and communicate on his own, according to Los Angeles Times.
On March 31, Hamlin was asked by President Joe Biden if he planned to continue playing football. He responded, “I think so. . . . God willing” (according to NBC Sports).
As this injury was witnessed or heard by many players and fans, what are their reactions and thoughts on playing football now?
Football Injury Statistics:
- Researchers from sports analyst companies (ESPN) estimate that more than 450,000 high school football injuries occur each year (2019).
- The Concussion Legacy Foundation says kids should not play tackle football until age 14.
- Over 90% of former NFL players showed signs of brain diseases like CTE
- In the 2015 preseason and regular season, including practices, the league formally recorded 275 concussions, which can be challenging to diagnose. In 2021, that number declined to 187.
- According to the Sports and Fitness Industry, the gap between flag football and tackle football exceeded 1.6 million as of 2021.
- The 2021 NFL season saw 71 A.C.L. tears, part of a troubling trend in a league that has seen the number of regular-season A.C.L. tears more than double since 2017.
Sources: NYTimes, Injury Claim Coach, Concussion Legacy Foundation, USNews.com, TheAthletic.com, SFIA
Player Perspectives:
Former Football Tackle Barrett Watkins ’24:
“Even before Hamlin’s injury, I’ve felt that football was unsafe and that players are aware of the risks that come with the sport,” Watkins said. “I think the NFL should make the decision of resuming play based on Hamlin’s condition, as it is insensitive and selfish not to put the players first.”
Wide Receiver Kaden Walsh ’25:
“I still feel safe playing football, because serious injuries like these don’t happen often,” Walsh said. “I don’t think any games should be postponed, but they [teams] should show respect for him [Damar Hamlin] in some way.”
Defensive End Avin Modalavalasa ’25:
“I’ve never truly felt safe playing football, and even after seeing Hamlin’s injury, I’ve learned to accept that injuries come with playing football,” Modalavalasa said. “If something like this does happen again, they [NFL] should suspend games because the players’ safety and mental health comes before the game.”
Spencer Rathbun ’24:
“Specifically, the Damar Hamlin injury has such a rare chance of actually happening in football,” Rathbun said. “I feel safe, but there are definitely risks that come with playing, as I’ve had concussions in the past.”
Athletic Director Thomas Brieske gave his viewpoint on Hamlin’s injury. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: How has Hamlin’s injury affected your opinion towards the safety of football?
A: Damar Hamlin’s injury was definitely scary and I am so thankful that he is on the mend. We still have no confirmation on what caused his cardiac arrest whether it was from the hit or if he possibly has a pre-existing condition. Which is often the case in these situations.
Q: Do you think the NFL should halt any more games this season?
A: I do not believe the NFL should halt any more games and I am sure they have experts monitoring the situation on a daily basis.
Q: What did you feel when you heard the news?
A: I was actually tuned in to the game and it was a very scary situation. I was glad to see they made the right call in canceling the game.
Q: Have any parents of players reached out to you with concerns?
A: No parents have reached out to me but I have had friends reach out to me to ask about our protocols. We are fortunate to have AEDs on-site at our events and we have several in the school. We are also lucky to have highly trained Athletic Trainers at almost all of our events.
What are your thoughts on Damar Hamlin’s injury, and how does it impact your view on football? Let us know in the comments below.