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The New England Patriots' Logan Mankins makes a living banging heads with NFL pass rushers. But the Pro Bowl offensive guard is taking the field to help prevent concussion injuries to children and young athletes.

Mankins, an Attleboro resident, has joined forces with the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts to raise awareness of the risks and impact of brain injury. He says he's all too familiar with the problem, having witnessed the consequences of brain injury from personal and professional experiences.

"A brain injury to a family member not only affects that person, but it greatly affects that family," said Mankins, who airs spots for the Brain Injury Association on WBCN, 104.1 FM.

From 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports-related concussions are reported each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 60,000 injuries stem from high school sports.

Mankins, who will be a featured speaker at the BIA-MA's Pediatric Brain Injury Conference Tuesday in Marlboro, speaks out on behalf of the Brain Injury Association throughout the football season. He is also participating in the group's campaign to get youngsters to wear helmets.

Concussion, classified as a mild form of brain injury, can affect children and adults in many ways, according to the BIA-MA, from memory problems to poor judgement, disorientation, emotional problems and fatigue. People who receive prompt treatment after a mild brain injury have the best chance at a full recovery.

Mankins, who was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2005, says caution is the game strategy for any young athlete who has suffered a concussion.

"For any kid who has had a concussion, I would recommend that he or she sit out until fully recovered," Mankins said. "It is not something you want to mess around with when it comes to your brain or your head. Play it safe and make sure you are healthy."

Mankins also urges youth and high school coaches to use care when making decisions that may affect the health of a young player.

"If you think there is any problem with an athlete having a concussion, make sure you take full responsibility and make sure that kid is healthy before you put them back into the game," he said. "Treat that kid as if he or she were your own kid.

"Would you send your own kid back in there with a concussion? Probably not; so don't send someone else's."

BIA-MA Executive Director Arlene Korab applauds Mankins' initiative in drawing attention to the danger of sports-related concussions.

"People of all ages look up to Logan Mankins as a role model," she said. "The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts is pleased to have his support in getting out this important message in a positive way."

Other speakers at the annual conference include Dr. Robert Cantu of Boston University Medical Center, Dr. William Meehan of Children's Hospital and Marilyn Lash, assistant clinical professor at Tufts University. The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts provides support services to brain injury survivors and their families, offers programs to prevent brain injuries and conducts educational programs, including Think A-Head, a school-based head injury prevention program.

More information about concussion and other brain injuries can be found at the BIA-MA Web site, www.biama.org.