Turning Tragedy into Action!
The Team Up for Sports Safety (TUFSS) initiative, led by the Korey Stringer Institute, is on a mission to make high school sports safer. By traveling state-to-state, TUFSS brings together policymakers, educators, medical experts, and athletic leaders to push for proven policies that can prevent catastrophic sports injuries—and save lives.
In Kentucky, one of those voices belonged to Kaylee Brace Wagnon. Invited to share her family’s personal story, Kaylee spoke about the life and loss of her brother, Grant Brace, whose death from exertional heat stroke could have been prevented with the right safeguards in place.
Her speech was more than facts and policy—it was a powerful reminder of the human side of these decisions. She shared touching, funny stories from Grant’s childhood, painting a vivid picture of who he was beyond the headlines. Then she tied those memories to the hard truth: if different policies had been in place, Grant might still be here today.
The audience included athletic association leaders, superintendents, school principals, state legislators, athletic trainers, coaches, and medical professionals—the very people with the power to make changes that protect student-athletes. Kaylee challenged them to remember Grant’s story when faced with the opportunity to act, urging them to choose life-saving reforms.
It was a speech that blended heart and urgency—a call to action that left the room not only informed but inspired to make high school sports safer for every athlete.
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