Brain Awareness Week- Teddy Jenner
Teddy Jenner
Former Victoria Shamrock player, two (2) time Mann Cup Champion, over five (5) years in lacrosse broadcasting (Color Analyst for the NLL on TSN and Play-By-Play Broadcaster for the Colorado Mammoth and San Diego Seals)
Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? (playing career - including minor, broadcasting, etc)
Any kid who is raised on the Island is generally an active one; I was probably more active than most thanks to my parents allowing me to play any and every sport I wanted. Although I am not sure I had much choice in choosing lacrosse thanks to my older brother excelling in it.
I was his shadow and what he did I wanted to do, so the game of lacrosse came naturally to me. I was a Saanich Tiger my entire minor career and many of the kids on those teams are still some of my best friends and we share some incredible lifelong memories together. Becoming a Senior Shamrock was always a dream for me; working through the Junior system and coming so close to a chance at a Minto cup, made winning two (2) Mann Cups even more rewarding.
As naturally as lacrosse came to me, I think the world of broadcasting did to. It was always what I wanted to do, but it too took some time for my breakthrough and I must thank my dad for that. He always pushed me to do what I loved. Since 2009, I have had the chance to call two (2) Minto Cups, two (2) Mann Cups and a National Lacrosse League (NLL) Championship, along with hundreds of Junior, Senior, International and professional games.
How many concussions have you had in your life?
I am not sure if it’s ironic or the sad reality of concussions, but I couldn’t tell you how many. It’s more than 10 and less than 20... I think.
How old were you when you suffered your first one? What happened?
The first time was around five (5) years old; My brother’s lacrosse team was delivering wood to houses to help raise money for Nationals and being his shadow, I was right in tow. We were at a house dropping off chopped wood and I was grabbing one (1) piece at a time and putting it on the pile all the while, my mom was in the bed of the truck grabbing pieces and throwing them onto the pile. On one occasion, she tossed a piece of wood and it struck me in the back of the head sending me to the ground. The blow hit me so hard that I had double vision and ended up having to wear glasses until I was in grade nine (9), when strangely enough, a slash to the back of the head in a lacrosse game knocked my vision back straight.
What was the most severe concussion?
The two (2) worst ones I can think of were in grade eight (8) when an opponent hit me from behind headfirst into the boards. Then when I was 17, I took a cross-check to the side of the head as I was falling down. In the first instance, I was taken off the floor on a stretcher as they were unsure if there was any spinal damage. The latter had me again in the hospital for testing after blacking out from the hit.
What have you been witness to?
There have been a few times in games, broadcasting them or watching as a fan that I have seen some really nasty hits or blows that have caused serious injuries. It is incredibly scary to see a peer in that vulnerable state. Unfortunately for some, they are never able to return to the game due to the after effects of the concussions.
How have concussions affected your life? Any long-term implications?
Years in and out of optometrist’s offices and hospitals aren't fun ever, but as a young kid it’s even more tumultuous. I didn’t have answers as to why it’s happening. Then when you try and find the words to describe what’s happening, they aren't always there; and that can be very frustrating.
While I like to think of myself as a non-aggressive person, that frustration often leads to anger which in turn, causes me anxiety and depression. It’s a vicious cycle that I’ve really had to deal with for the last few years. Like most people who suffer from brain injuries, my memory isn't near what it should be. I forget fine details, numbers, dates and names; cue the frustration cycle.
What treatments have you taken to help with concussions?
Any concussion should be taken seriously so much as it pained me to have to sit out for two (2) weeks after each one, I eventually came to understand that resting the brain is like resting an injured muscle.
After I was done playing, I found myself drawn to puzzles to help activate my brain and challenge its ability. A few years ago, after some strong coercing from a great friend and my family, I decided to go on prescribed medication to help level off the highs and lows of my depression - it has been an incredible saviour. I still have dark days when I won’t leave the house or talk to anyone, but they’re less crippling and don’t last as long.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There is no such thing as minor or major concussions! In sports, it is all about having a tough demeanour and a hard shell - we often don’t want to seem weak when we need to take the time to recover. Thankfully, due to the increasing exposure of long-term brain damage, players, coaches, and team doctors are taking concussions much more seriously.
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