The New York Giants announced a donation Tuesday of $1.4 million to help prevent and treat injuries among high school football players in the city's public school system. The money will go towards hiring 53 new physical trainers and EMTs to oversee all Varsity and JV games and practices.

The safety of football players at every level has been called into question in recent years as concussions have become more widely reported. High school football players are nearly twice as likely to sustain concussions as college players, according to a study released by the Institute of Medicine in 2013.

"I'm particularly proud to be making this gift, which will fund important athletic trainer programs, allowing student athletes, regardless of their background, to choose to play football in a much safer manner," said Steve Tisch, chairman of the Giants.

A few of the city's schools already have physical trainers on staff, including Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn.

"Football is a physical sport and the fact that we have a trainer there for our practice is very helpful for us," said Michael Tud, a 17-year-old Senior who plays wide receiver on Lincoln's football team. He said he has already sustained a sprained ankle and pulled hamstring during play.

About 3,500 football players will benefit from the grant.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city doesn't yet have plans to hire trainers for other high-contact sports, such as soccer and lacrosse.