Undaunted, Goldstein and his cohorts came right back. Earlier this spring, Goldstein found himself in front of the Senate Health Regulation Committee, engaged in a debate of sorts.

“Here’s this 17-year-old,” Goldstein said of himself, “going up against this long-time senator [Dennis Jones, 71].

“I wouldn’t say I was responsible [for the passing of the bill], but it exemplified that we were ready this time. We weren’t going to get outmaneuvered, and it ended up passing unanimously.”

Since the passing of the bill, student-athletes who want to play high school sports in Miami-Dade County must sign consent forms designed to educate them on concussions.

If an athlete is under suspicion of having a head injury, they must be removed from play, and they cannot return until a medical doctor clears them.

“This puts injured athletes in the proper hands,” Goldstein said.

Goldstein himself returned for his sophomore and junior seasons and is now a team captain.

“David’s a very good high school soccer player,” Villano said. “He’s not sure yet whether he will play college soccer, but he is an indomitable competitor. With his ability to inspire and organize, he is one of the best captains I’ve ever had.”

Villano said Goldstein’s impact will be felt long after he graduates from Ransom.

“In the old days, we as coaches had no awareness of what to look for in regards to a concussion,” Villano said. “We’d just ask a kid, ‘How many fingers?,’ and if he guessed right, they were right back on the field.

“Now we have a lot better idea of what to look for, thanks to David.”

For more information, please visit countywideconcussioncare.com