A player who showed concussion signs may return to play only if cleared by what type of professional?

• A. A physician
• B. The athletic trainer
• C. An appropriate health-care professional
• D. The umpire staff.

Answer: (C)

When concussion signs appear, an athlete may not return to play until a qualified medical professional clears them. The clearance must come from an appropriate health-care professional—someone trained to diagnose and manage concussions and to supervise the return-to-play process. This ensures the athlete is properly evaluated and only progresses through a graded, monitored plan when it’s medically safe. While physicians and other licensed clinicians (such as athletic trainers, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants) can provide this clearance, it should come from an appropriately trained professional, not from non-medical staff like umpires.