Some students find their passion in the performing arts. Others may find their spark in music. But no matter where you find yourself, what you do is a part of who you are.

Until junior year, sports filled this role for Jamie Burton.

It was kickoff day — the very first Pinewood football game of the 2023 season. The coach drew up a simple designated run play designed for Burton. After being handed the ball by quarterback Ayaan Dhawan, Burton collided head-to-head with a defender in the open field. At the moment, nothing seemed wrong. Burton did not begin feeling the symptoms of what would later become a season-ending concussion.

“I only started to think things could be off when a few days later I started to feel tired going through school days,” Burton said. “[Simple things] like lights and noises were bugging me more than they should.”

Being sidelined from the game he loved was a new experience for Burton. This experience forced him to adjust to a new lifestyle, one without sports.

“Being out of sports was definitely a mind-boggle for me,” Burton said. “I tried to rest as much as I could, knowing that [the injury] could last anywhere from a week to a couple years to get better from.”

The injury impacted Burton’s life beyond the field. Unlike a cut or a broken bone, concussions leave you drowsy, fatigued, and have different effects from any other injury. The injury can also cause focusing issues, lingering dizziness, and can make everything seem like a blur, having the potential to completely alter someone’s identity.

“I consider myself a high-energy person,” Burton said. “Because every interaction goes directly against your stamina and mental capacity, I was turned against my active and social norms. It was a hard balancing line to walk.”

Even after altering his lifestyle at school, the recovery process was another difficult task to overcome. Unlike other injuries, concussions can’t be solved with physical therapy. This specific injury often leaves someone with extra time that can’t be filled productively. The whole process could be energy-draining, frustrating, and even isolating.

“My friends did what they could, and I will always be grateful for their support,” Burton said. “But at the end of the day, it’s between you and your head to figure out when things are right. This is what makes the whole [process] isolating.

This year is a new year of sports for Burton. His approach to each game has been different from past years. Coming into each game with a sense of appreciation, Burton makes the most of his time on the field.

“This injury definitely gave me a sense of appreciation and taught me to not take things for granted,” Burton said. “As cliche as it sounds, I’ve tried to be grateful for every game because even bad games are better than no games at all. Every [moment] is a blessing and every game I get to play in is lucky.”

After experiencing a concussion, Burton has not only emerged with a different outlook on the game, but also has advice for people dealing with a similar injury.

“My biggest thing would be to say don’t put a timeline on it,” Burton said. “Try to be patient with others since they won’t know what’s going on just as much as you don’t.”