• Athletes push for Mass. concussion awareness bill: Professional athletes who have sustained concussions are urging Massachusetts lawmakers to pass a bill designed to raise awareness of the injury in younger athletes. Former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson and Massachusetts boxing legend Micky Ward were among those who attended the Tuesday news conference. Sen. Steve Baddour is backing legislation to create a mandatory training program for coaches, trainers and onsite doctors to help them recognize the symptoms of concussions in young athletes. The bill would require students to sit out the rest of a game after sustaining a concussion. It would also require they see a health professional before returning to play.

— From wire reports