Billy Corgan is known as the lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins, but his Monday appearance was far from musical.
Corgan is showing his support for the Chicago Concussion Coalition, a new group made up of more than 20 organizations and individuals dedicated to protecting student athletes from concussions.
"I was a student athlete as well, and I know what it feels like for a coach to tell you to get back in there, even when you're hurt," Corgan said. "I was concussed many times as a child."
Corgan's interest also comes from his latest passion, professional wrestling. He's recently started promoting independent wrestling events through a company at Resistance Pro, and says wrestlers aren't immune to concussion risks.
"There's a pressure on them to perform even when they're hurt, and we even had a situation here in Chicago where our quarterback Jay Cutler's manhood has been consistently questioned since the end of last season because he took himself out of the game because he was hurt."
Corgan says his wrestling company will officially support the coalition, which is run by former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski. The Arlington Heights native pushed his body to the limit during his career, while at the same time ignoring post-concussion symptoms.
Chicago already has tough rules in place for public and private school players. When students show signs of a concussion, it's required that they're automatically taken off the field.
