Most people involved in football know how serious concussions can be. Still, there are often temptations for players to try to play through a concussion.

Players are trained and hailed for their physical and mental “toughness.” Some want to prove that toughness; others just want to stay in the game because they feel coming out would let down their teammates.

But there is nothing tough about playing through a concussion, according to former NFL quarterback Scott Secules in the video below. Youth and high school players must show the true toughness it takes to come out of the game after a head trauma and stay out until medically cleared to return to play.

David Jacobson is senior marketing communications and content manager for Positive Coaching Alliance, a USA Football national partner. For more information, visit www.positivecoach.org. For free resources, visit www.PCADevZone.org.