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Kris Bryant says he will no longer slide head first after concussion scare

Mike Oz

Hot-shot Chicago Cubs rookie Kris Bryant says he won't slide head first anymore after a concussion scare in Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

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(AP)
(AP)

Bryant made a rough head-first slide into second base, was left feeling dizzy and was eventually helped off the field. Afterward, he was cleared of a concussion by team doctors, but the incident obviously left an impact on Bryant, 23. He told ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers on Monday about his decision to only slide feet-first now:

"I only have one head. I only have one life so there's nothing really to joke about."

This is far less drastic and dramatic than what we've seen happen in the NFL, where young players with bright futures are walking away from the game because of fears of head injury.

[ELSEWHERE: A.J. Pierzynski really tried to convince an ump that this pitch was a strike.]

The NFL is far more dangerous in that respect, but Bryant's comments echo what NFL players like Chris Borland have said. This next generation seems to care more about head trauma. Added Bryant:

"There's more important things than being safe (at the base)," Bryant said.

Some people will certainly give Bryant flack for that last part — the people who think sports and winning are paramount to everything — but you can't fault a young guy for thinking about his future. That is, after all, what his head is for.

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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!