It’s never easy to convince athletes to not play, even when they are suffering injuries that could lead to further damage. In the end, it’s up to the trifecta of athlete, coach and physical trainer to decide whether it’s better to rest or play through an injury.

Thanks to increased publicity by the NFL, concussions have become the en vogue topic in sports right now, and for good reason — 1 in 10 athletes suffer from one every year. But from Santa Cruz to Sacramento, coaches and congressmen alike are ramping up efforts to keep athletes safe.