I played soccer throughout middle school and into high school. In 2011, I had two soccer games back to back. The best part was that we didn't have any subs. The whistle blew and the game started.

I sprinted up the field and back down the field, staying with the ball. The ball was then kicked back to a defender on the other team and when she kicked the ball, it went up.

I went up for a header. I collided with the ball and the girl beside me. I jumped and she jumped. I hit my head on the ball and on the other girl's head. I fell to the ground and I don't remember anything after going up for the ball and then getting up off the ground. I blacked out.

After realizing I had fallen, I scanned the field for the ball and ran to wherever it was.

We won 3 to 2.

When the game was over, we had an hour to grab something to eat.

My head was pounding and I couldn't bear to look at lights. My coach was Vietnamese so he massaged my head before our next game. It helped a lot, but I had another game to get to. I played our second game without sitting out.

After getting home, I did my best to go to sleep. I took a nap for as long as I could but my head was still pounding in my ears.

I was throwing up, which if you've ever had a concussion or head injury, you know is not a good thing. My mom took me to the emergency room at 5 a.m. And after hours of waiting and scans, the doctor came out with that I had a concussion.

I was scared and very sad, also confused because I didn't know what a concussion really was.

I went to my primary doctor at home and he broke the news to me that I was not allowed to play soccer, or that I was allowed to play in my last game of the season. I was heartbroken.

I still went to my final game and sat on the sidelines and cheered on my team, but it wasn't the same.

Having a concussion is very serious, especially since there are concussion laws now. Many athletes have head injuries and they can have serious repercussions.

Be safe out there.