Matthew Benedict's One Last Goal

Matt posted this 10 years ago, one day after graduating from Middlebury College. The conversation has come a long way over the past decade. It still has a long way to go. jointheconversationmattbened…

We're still processing the whirlwind of the past day and a half. Though our aim was 37 attendees to the 10th Annual International Concussion Summit pioneered by Warren and Blaine Hoshizaki, One Last Goal welcomed around 25 individuals who had the privilege of engaging with some of the finest researchers, concussion specialists, and athletes globally. Like us, most of the attendees departed in awe, eager to apply their newfound knowledge in aiding the young athletes who they care for or about. There were so many highlights. Some that we will remember for a long time are: Chris Pronger, who is a storied Hart Trophy and NHL Hall of Famer, shared with us his life as a professional hockey player. He recounted some his harrowing experiences, particularly his career-ending eye injury and the prolonged concussion symptoms he endured. His narrative shed light on the physical and mental toll professional athletes endure. Chris's resilience commanded respect. It also evoked a sense of melancholy. The realization that our beloved athletes, driven by passion and love of their sport, should not be reduced to mere gladiators, resonated deeply. Legendary goalie and author Ken Dryden took the stage with fervor, praising the advancements in concussion awareness within youth hockey circles. However, he didn't shy away from calling out specific leaders in the NHL who have neglected their responsibility in addressing this issue. With a pointed remark, Ken emphasized, "At first, we did not know, but now we do." Mentioning Mr. Gary Bettman directly, he underscored the gravity of the situation, lamenting the repercussions of inaction on the well-being of our beloved players. Ken Dryden's impassioned plea resonated deeply, earning him a well-deserved standing ovation. Dr. Robert Cantu and Dr. Ann McKee, both trailblazers and highly respected in the field of brain injury research, discussed how inflammation, rather than CTE itself, might be the root cause of symptoms in the brains of young athletes in the early stages of CTE. Dr. Janie Cournoyer, an esteemed athletic therapist, shared cutting-edge research and protocols, enriching our understanding profoundly. Dr. Chris Nowinski, an exceptional neuroscientist who is a visionary and leading the fight against head injuries, ended his talk and left many of us in tears and silence. The bottom line is, “STOP HITTTING KIDS IN THE HEAD”. Thank you to the School Board of Niagara Falls for being so kind to us and giving One Last Goal an opportunity to be a part of this incredible conference. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to Michael St. John, along with Jennifer McGugan, for collaborating with us. Thank you to all who generously and selflessly donated to One Last Goal. Without you, this would never have been possible. Thank you to the brilliant speakers, for your endless dedication to your profession. Thanks also to our One Last Goal attendees, who sacrificed time in their very busy lives to attend. Some did it to learn more, others did it to honor Matthew. Whatever the reason, most of us came out with a better appreciation of how crucial it is to support athletes not only with their physical health but their mental health as well.

As part of our "#37 Journey" we're offering a limited number of complimentary admissions to the 1 ½ day summit on May 2nd and 3rd in Niagara Falls, Canada. Contact us at matthewbenedictsonelastgoal@gmail.com for a special registration code. Please share.

Thx to @RepBrianFitz @repdesaulnierand and @RepLangworthy for the first-ever resolution marking #CTE & #RHI #AwarenessDay and calling on @CDCgov to provide #RHIfacts4parents.Thank you for honoring our son Matt's memory, along with many other young souls. bit.ly/3vZ1jYR

This #CTE & #RHI #AwarenessDay, Honoring Matthew and all the others like him. New research shows #depression #suicide and other #mentalhealth effects of repeated head impacts (#RHI) are showing up in younger #athletes. #RHIFacts4Parents and save lives. vimeo.com/907783666?share=co…

We join 22 orgs & 30+ families of #youngathletes lost to #RHI in #sports urging the @CDCDirector of the @CDCgov to provide #parents with info in all #concussion materials to prevent tragic loss of #children to #suicide, #overdose, poor #mentalhealth, Read bit.ly/3tMeviZ

eriebar.org/events/challengi… #onelastgoal

It's not the same without you, Matthew. #onelastgoal