In brief: Football at any level—sandlot, high school, college, or professional—is a collision sport. Any part of the body may encounter varying degrees of trauma during play. When the cervical spine is injured, the result can be lethal. Players use the head as a weapon, although the action is illegal and can cause extension, forced-flexion, lateralflexion, or compression injuries to the cervical spine. An individually fitted cervical collar helps protect players from reinjury. Harvard University football players have used it since 1972 and have found it effective. It is inexpensive and easy to make.