ROCKLIN, Calif. —

As an inside linebacker, Rico Petrini was no stranger to repetitive hits on opponents when he played football in Northern California.

"Between high school and college, I suffered 25 concussions and I had over 15,000 repetitive hits," said Petrini, who played at Serra High School before becoming a four-year starter at Oregon State University.

Petrini ultimately returned to coach at Whitney High School in Rocklin before moving out of California.

However, it was all those hits during his playing days that Perini said led him down a dark path.

"I was in a really bad place," Petrini said. "I did a balance test to sit in a chair and stand up without using my arms. I lost my balance and fell backward and I could see the look of fear in the face of the nurse to see someone t

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