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The Zackery Lystedt Law

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Lystedt Law Overview

The law is named for Zackery Lystedt who, in 2006, suffered a brain injury following his return to a middle school football game after sustaining a concussion. Zackery, his family and a broad range of medical, business and community partners lobbied the Washington state legislature for a law to protect young athletes in all sports from returning to play too soon. The Lystedt law contains three essential elements:

  • Athletes, parents and coaches must be educated about the dangers of concussions each year.
  • If a young athlete is suspected of having a concussion, he/she must be removed from a game or practice and not be permitted to return to play. When in doubt, sit them out.
  • A licensed health care professional must clear the young athlete to return to play in the subsequent days or weeks.
Zackery Lystedt image

“If I could tell youth athletes one thing, it would be to take care of your health. If you’re suspected of having a concussion, don”t go back into the game, no matter how you feel when the adrenaline is flowing.

It makes me feel proud when I hear about Lystedt Laws being passed in other states. Sharing my story is important — I don”t want anyone else to live through what I”ve had to live through every day.

I take it one day at a time and feel better most days. I”m motivated by the friends and family who believe in me.”
- ZACKERY LYSTEDT

Since the passage of the law in May 2009, several other states have passed similar laws protecting youth athletes. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to 44 governors of states urging them to pass a law similar to the Lystedt Law. On January 11, 2012, Commissioner Goodell and NCAA President Mark Emmert sent letters to 19 governors, charging them to protect youth athletes in their state through the passage of legislation. In the letters, Commissioner Goodell stated his belief that sports and political leaders can help raise awareness of concussions while ensuring proper and effective treatment.


* Although we make reasonable efforts to ensure that any information we post to this website is both timely and accurate, certain information may not be the most current information available. Please contact each state’s legislature for the most current information.

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  • Click on a state to learn more about the status of its youth concussion legislation.

 

In October 2010, Commissioner Goodell spoke at the “Keep Youth Sports Safe” conference at the Seattle Seahawks’ offices. At the conference, Commissioner Goodell met Zack Lystedt and his family and committed that the League will continue to support promotion and adoption of the Lystedt Law until all 50 states pass Zackery”s law, or take action to keep youth sports safe from the risks of concussion.

Watch Roger Goodell’s speech:

Promoting safety in youth sports

Posted on Oct. 16, 2010
Commissioner Roger Goodell attends a conference in Seattle that promotes safety first in sports.