The death of Montclair High School junior varsity football player Ryne Dougherty—the third young New Jersey player to die on the playing field since August—has once again raised the issue of safety in high school football.

Despite the tragedies, advancements in preventive care and equipment have dramatically reduced the number of high school football-related deaths in the last 40 years.

From 1966 to 1976, an average of just more than 16 players died nationally each year from causes directly attributed to high school football. From 1997 to 2007, an average of three playe...

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