Would (Do) you let your kids play football

[ginman]

I played football as a kid as I am sure many of you did as well. I always thought it odd the mothers who didn't let their kids play because they were afraid that they would get hurt. I'm guessing the fear was more about broken bones at the time, which I still don't think is a big deal. Accidents happen.

But as we learn more about Traumatic Brain Injury and long term effects of concussion, I'm not sure I would let my kids play football.

As background, I don't have to worry about this decision as I have two daughters ages 8 and 11. With that said, my youngest was diagnosed with brain cancer at 2 and a half years old. One of my biggest fears (other than death) was the cognitive impacts of radiation treatments that generally impact IQ scores by 20 points. We did everything that we could to do treatments that did not involve radiation - instead going with chemo, immunotherapy etc. Fortunately she is doing well now, although many of her friends have died or have obvious deficits from the tumor and/or treatment they endured.

I am not sure I would want to put my child at risk for damaging their melon unnecessarily, even though I obviously love watching the game and am not judgmental of those who decide differently, but was interested in others thoughts about this issue. I apologize if there is a thread already- I couldn't find one.

 

[IrishLion]

I think I'll let my kids play football, as long as equipment and safety at youth levels continues to get better as more people look for answers.

 

[Henges24]

Yes.

I banged my head up a bunch during my 4+ years of football but unless I am diagnosed with some sort of memory loss or brain damage that leads back to football I will for sure allow them to if they choose to.

Football builds character, teamwork, and keeps them out of trouble for a few months. Not saying there aren't other sports that will not build those attributes but there are not a ton of others out there that can have as much of a emotion impact on someone than football can. You struggle together with your brothers each and every practice/two-a-days. It could be looked at as joining a Jr. military boot camp, IMO

It's also a sport that most can never play again in you life. My friends that never played still regret it.

 

[woolybug25]

Yes.

I banged my head up a bunch during my 4+ years of football but unless I am diagnosed with some sort of memory loss or brain damage that leads back to football I will for sure allow them to if they choose to.

Did you know that almost all chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) injuries are diagnosed post death? Because of the testing being done after death, the vast majority of people simply go undiagnosed. They battle the symptoms of memory loss, anxiety, depression and fits of anger. But they simply cannot be diagnosed until brain tissue can be evaluated.

That being said, the statistics are overwhelming.

Almost every NFL player who donated his brain to science had brain disease - Quartz

 

[ginman]

The reason this came to my attention. Antwaan Randel El regrets playing football due to cognitive problems:

Super Bowl champion Antwaan Randle El says he regrets playing football

 

[GowerND11]

I would allow my kids to do so. I played for 11 years and just finished my first year coaching. There are inherent risks with all sports, and I believe girls soccer actually has the highest concussion %. Football helped me so much outside of sports. It allowed me to build as a person. As others have said, teamwork, character, dedication, etc. are all valuable assets learned playing football (or any sport).

As long as the coaches teach proper technique I will have no issue with my (future) children playing the sport.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'll actively discourage against it but will allow myself to be overridden if my children have an intense desire to play.

Naturally I am protective and want my child to have the highest quality of life they are able to attain. I don't believe football will greatly add to that but if they are certain their life would be incomplete without playing, I'll allow it and support them.

Football has no magic hold on character development, physical development, etc. It's lessons can be found across all sports and many other activities.

Also, let's face it, any child with my genetics is already playing with a handicap. He doesn't need to be further handicapped.

 

[Irish#1]

Some will disagree, but the risk of head trauma in the youth leagues is pretty low, especially in the 3rd & 4th grade leagues where there's more pushing and shoving versus hitting. Spend the money on a quality helmet.

A lot of question marks when it comes to football, but soccer is showing to be as dangerous when it comes to concussions.

 

[Wild Bill]

Yes. IMO, the benefits of playing far outweigh the risks and I would encourage them to participate, especially if I was lucky enough to have some exceptional athletes.

 

[woolybug25]

Question to those that say "yes", and by no means do I mean this as an insult, but have you all actually researched CTE? Or simply going off of personal experience?

Just interested.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Some will disagree, but the risk of head trauma in the youth leagues is pretty low, especially in the 3rd & 4th grade leagues where there's more pushing and shoving versus hitting. Spend the money on a quality helmet.

A lot of question marks when it comes to football, but soccer is showing to be as dangerous when it comes to concussions.

Not saying you're wrong, but we really don't have the science on the youth leagues yet. My wife leads a pediatric vestibular rehabilitation program at a local med center, and there are a lot of concerns in that field of study over the lack of evidence either way. There is research to suggest that brain injuries of that nature can be more traumatic in kids than adults, but those are not studies specific to football.

FWIW, after reviewing what is out there, my wife feels strongly that our (future) kids should not play tackle football.

 

[woolybug25]

Some will disagree, but the risk of head trauma in the youth leagues is pretty low, especially in the 3rd & 4th grade leagues where there's more pushing and shoving versus hitting. Spend the money on a quality helmet.

A lot of question marks when it comes to football, but soccer is showing to be as dangerous when it comes to concussions.

I know you are referring to youth vs high school, but last year was the first year that Michigan High Schools started recording concussions for the fall sports season. The first year data was pretty surprising.

The MHSAA received data from 99 percent of its member high schools. According to the data, roughly two percent of more than 100,000 Michigan high school athletes experienced a concussion this fall. The average number of concussions per school was 3.2, yet more than half of the 744 schools reported two or fewer concussions.

Three Rivers Commercial-News > Archives > Sports > Local Sports > Michigan high school concussion data released

Furthermore, many people are arguing that traumatic concussions are the fear. That isn't the case. Most research indicates that the consistent, smaller brain injuries sustained over time are what contribute the most to CTE. So simply looking out for major concussions isn't necessarily safeguarding kids from damage.

 

[Irish#1]

Question to those that say "yes", and by no means do I mean this as an insult, but have you all actually researched CTE? Or simply going off of personal experience?

Just interested.

Not saying you're wrong, but we really don't have the science on the youth leagues yet. My wife leads a pediatric vestibular rehabilitation program at a local med center, and there are a lot of concerns in that field of study over the lack of evidence either way. There is research to suggest that brain injuries of that nature can be more traumatic in kids than adults, but those are not studies specific to football.

FWIW, after reviewing what is out there, my wife feels strongly that our (future) kids should not play tackle football.

I could be wrong, but I coached youth leagues for 13 years and rarely did you see impacts that made you go "wow" or raise a concern. I had four boys play. One stopped after the youth leagues. One quit after 8th grade. One played through his junior year and the last one played up through including one year of college. The last one has mentioned that he thought he may have suffered a concussion his senior year. The others didn't experience one.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Yes. IMO, the benefits of playing far outweigh the risks and I would encourage them to participate, especially if I was lucky enough to have some exceptional athletes.

What are these benefits that are only attained in football?

 

[Wild Bill]

Question to those that say "yes", and by no means do I mean this as an insult, but have you all actually researched CTE? Or simply going off of personal experience?

Just interested.

I wouldn't characterize it as "research" but I have read some articles out there on the topic. My opinion is influenced more by my experience than my research.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

As of right now, no.

I have two boys aged 2.5 and 6 months. I initially had no problem with the idea of them playing football but as this issue becomes more and more prevalent I back further and further away from it.

I also noticed the US Soccer Federation banning "headers" in soccer leagues for youths under 11.

I'm sure all this stuff was always around but having the stats so readily available and discussed causes more concern.

Anything can happen in any sport but as of right now I don't want them taking the chances.

 

[Wild Bill]

What are these benefits that are only attained in football?

It got me into college. I'm not very bright but I could strap a helmet on and hit people so a couple colleges decided I was worth the risk. I made the most of my opportunity. Maybe I could have done the same playing chess or something. We'll never know.

 

[woolybug25]

It got me into college. I'm not very bright but I could strap a helmet on and hit people so a couple colleges decided I was worth the risk. I made the most of my opportunity. Maybe I could have done the same playing chess or something. We'll never know.

Less than 2% of high school students receive an athletic scholarship. It is far easier to get a scholastic scholarship and that comes with zero risk.

Furthermore, if all a kid is looking for is free college, the US Military offers that. They even add in the bonus of teaching all of the "values" that any sport could provide.

 

[IrishLion]

Question to those that say "yes", and by no means do I mean this as an insult, but have you all actually researched CTE? Or simply going off of personal experience?

Just interested.

For me, personally, I say "yes" because I assume that health/safety/head-trauma will have better answers by the time my hypothetical kids are old enough to play football. Now that it's truly at the forefront of public thought, I have faith that some "big entities" in the world of football will eventually invest in helping to make the game safer in more ways than just "new rules." (By this, I mean that I think the NFL, in the interest of self-preservation, will actually spend some big cash on looking into the issue).

However, when the time comes, I WILL research head trauma, CTE, etc. If I don't like what I find, and I don't feel that the game is any safer than it is now, they won't play football.

 

[Wild Bill]

Less than 2% of high school students receive an athletic scholarship. It is far easier to get a scholastic scholarship and that comes with zero risk.

I would prefer they take the academic route but if they had to rely on football I would encourage them. My parents did not want me to play and opposed my decision. Maybe my opinion will change if/when the time comes.

Furthermore, if all a kid is looking for is free college, the US Military offers that. They even add in the bonus of teaching all of the "values" that any sport could provide.

Sure, but there are risks associated with serving in the military too.

 

[GATTACA!]

Did you know that almost all chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) injuries are diagnosed post death? Because of the testing being done after death, the vast majority of people simply go undiagnosed. They battle the symptoms of memory loss, anxiety, depression and fits of anger. But they simply cannot be diagnosed until brain tissue can be evaluated.

That being said, the statistics are overwhelming.

Almost every NFL player who donated his brain to science had brain disease - Quartz

Wait are you talking about CTE, or being a Notre Dame fan?

 

[Irish Insanity]

I have steered my son away from it most of his life. He's now a 15 year old freshman, 6' 2" with an athletic build. Occasionally he still talks about maybe wanting to play. I'd prefer he not.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Fvck no. Maybe just for high school. Odds are my kid's never going to be the WR or CB so he'll funneled to a position like OL or LB where there's pressure to put on an unhealthy amount of weight. I'd much rather have my kid play a sport like hockey or lax where, yeah, there's a risk of concussions but not so much the repetitive head trauma of football plus you're never asked to weigh 300+ pounds.

 

[pumpdog20]

Yes, I let them play football. Our league starts in first grade. They have a blast, and it's my favorite kind of football!

 

[phork]

I have coached for the last 5 years in our Tyke division. The last 3 as head coach. My sons have played for 5 and 4 seasons respectively. My belief from watching this division and the 2 higher divisions is that in the 7-9 group no one runs or hits hard enough to cause the damage you see in college or pros. Even in the 10-11 division. In the 12-13 is where you see the superior athletes kind of taking over. Harder hits etc.

It is my opinion (note: opinion I am not qualified outside of being a coach to be medically proficient or scientifically adept here), it is my opinion that we need to emphasize proper technique. Our league has made mandatory concussion training for all coaches. We have also implemented Safe Contact drills and skills as well as Heads Up Tackling.
In fact this year I plan on initiating no contact practices. This is hard, however, because at this age some kids are just not predisposed to making contact. My focus will be on technique and play repitition.
I believe this is how this game has to evolve to stay alive, either that or fire up the flag leagues.

My kids have played 5 and 4 years respectively and the only injuries they have gotten (2 broken arms, a bruised leg and separated shoulder) came out side of football. I am fully ok with them playing into highschool I don't see them going past that. At that point we'll re-evaluate if anythine further is on the radar.

I have coached baseball, hockey and soccer and I have to say (and this is my area of the world) that I have not gotten the response out of kids or parents like I do in football. The time investment (3 practices a week x 2 hours + game on Sunday) and level of involvement is the difference. Football is different, I can't explain it anymore than these kids would cut off their arm to help their team mates (and mean it). I don't see that with these other sports.

As for gear. I am not sold on "better" helmets. Atleast not at this level. There really isn't much to lessening the blow if I am running 20mph into a brick wall.

 

[NDPhilly]

My kids probably wont be big enough so ill just put them in soccer right away. If they somehow get to 5'8"+ then i'll let them play if they really want to.

 

[Henges24]

Not saying football isn't dangerous but the way things are going with this world we will all be living in our own separate bubble pretty soon.

Just seen an article the other day that wine is no longer good for you. I am sure by next year it will be good for your heart again.

 

[greyhammer90]

Unfortunately, I'm now a no until further developments toward player safety are made.

 

[pumpdog20]

Very surprised with all the no's considering this is a football board. Are all you guys going to stop watching the game, or it's cool that other parents allow their kids to damage their brains?

 

[IrishLion]

Here's my question:

So, we see all of these older players from a different era having issues. They played when gear wasn't as well researched, and when head-hunting was glorified.

What's to say that guys playing now, with better equipment and a lower percentage of trauma directly to the head, won't be better off later in life than the guys that are currently reaching the later stages of their lives?

What I'm saying, or rather simply bringing up for discussion, is that perhaps the advances in medical/athletic technology in regards to head trauma have improved enough in the past ten years or so, that the guys playing now won't have the same issues that guys playing in the 60's, 70's, and 80's did.

The problem is that there is no way to truly know whether or not the current generation of players actually WILL be better off later in life, until they reach those ages, or (God forbid) they pass away and their brains can be studied.

For me, it almost becomes: Do you trust that recent and upcoming advances in equipment, injury recognition, injury prevention, and rule changes will be enough to make football safe for your kids?

I think, right now, that I DO believe football will be safe enough by the time I have kids. I think equipment will be better at preventing brain-to-skull trauma, and I think an emphasis that limits targeting at all levels will help the sport greatly.

However, when that time does come and I have children of playing age, I will do the research and seek out the info that I need. If the state of things appears to be the same as it is now, and the changes and improvements that I expect haven't been made, then they will not play.

And as someone mentioned above, this all makes me wonder about how I should reconcile the fact that I wouldn't let my children play the sport that I watch with such intensity. Why am I willing to watch students and grown men destroy themselves, and hinge such a large part of my identity on it, when I might not even let my children play the game that I love so much?