4 yrs ago: 40% of Americans didn’t want their children playing football; Now, the # is 48%

[Franisdaman]

I have no idea what the future of football is but these numbers are going in the wrong direction.


Darren Rovell‏Verified account@darrenrovell Feb 2
NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll: 48% of Americans don’t want their children playing football. Four years ago, when the question was asked, it was at 40%.

 

[Harbinger273]

To lessen the mounting number of concussions, violent repeated head trauma and subsequent CTE cases, PED's would have to be completely removed from the game. There would still be concussions and CTE despite this. At this juncture in the evolution of the NFL entertainment product, the diminished capabilities of players not using PED's would be an egregious regression to the viewers. Ratings would continue to drop and the Leagues' revenue would suffer. For the foreseeable future head injuries and their aftereffects will remain a part of the game and a reason to think twice.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

When you consider all the news and emphasis about concussions in just the last 2 years...that's not really a huge jump.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

When you consider all the news and emphasis about concussions in just the last 2 years...that's not really a huge jump.

But, it's only 4 years. A 20% increase seems like a lot to me.

In the next 5 years, I believe we will begin to hear about high schools dropping football due to liability concerns, lack of participation and just the cost in general.

 

[hawkster03]

I played football. I LOVE football. I have amazing memories from playing football.

I don't want my two boys playing football. Their brains are their number one asset.

 

[hawkandroll]

As far as NFL goes, I thought it was interesting during the Super Bowl that when Cooks took that huge hit they said he was out with a "head injury", but the word "concussion" was not used at any point in that coverage. Might be reading into it, but I have a feeling they're instructed to not say that word unless they absolutely have to anymore.

 

[Titanhawk2]

Wouldn't mind seeing stories about 50-60 year old guys supposedly affected by CTE but never played beyond high schoool, or even college. To my memory, the only stories I've ever seen are about guys who played well into their 20's and 30's at the highest and hardest level of contact, guys who had 15-20 years of consistently banging their heads. Is there really any risk of playing the sport through high school?

 

[HawkIDrummer]

But, it's only 4 years. A 20% increase seems like a lot to me.

In the next 5 years, I believe we will begin to hear about high schools dropping football due to liability concerns, lack of participation and just the cost in general.

I hear ya. I guess I was considering how quickly people seem to shift opinions in the era of social media and instant news trends. I would have thought the numbers would jump even more.

 

[bojihawk44]

I played football. I LOVE football. I have amazing memories from playing football.

I don't want my two boys playing football. Their brains are their number one asset.

I also played and love football.

But if I have sons, they are more than welcome to play football. Techniques and equipment are getting better by the day. I would not, however, let them start playing until junior high. There's no reason little kids should be playing tackle football. Flag will be more than fine until they get to the appropriate age where they can handle the sport.

Everything in life has risks. It's impossible to shield everyone from everything, and I know for certain I gained more from playing football than I lost. To each their own, I guess.

 

[king_james_23]

Wouldn't mind seeing stories about 50-60 year old guys supposedly affected by CTE but never played beyond high schoool, or even college. To my memory, the only stories I've ever seen are about guys who played well into their 20's and 30's at the highest and hardest level of contact, guys who had 15-20 years of consistently banging their heads. Is there really any risk of playing the sport through high school?

Yes....
https://www.gq.com/story/the-concussion-diaries-high-school-football-cte

 

[Curt Furence]

I am really torn on the issue as to whether I want my kids playing football. I started playing tackle when I was 8 and played into college. I think I was pretty lucky as I only remember once that I am sure I was concussed. There may have been more but only one stands out.

I definitely will not push them to play, but if my son gets to high school and really wants to play, it will be hard to tell him no.

 

[Bulldog64]

Some good information from what you may not have heard in support of athletics and playing football.
http://www.startribune.com/in-football-concussion-debate-some-say-benefits-outweigh-risks/391810211/

Lecture video: a bit lengthy but very good with scientific information on concussions and suicide rates.

 

[hawkster03]

I also played and love football.

But if I have sons, they are more than welcome to play football. Techniques and equipment are getting better by the day. I would not, however, let them start playing until junior high. There's no reason little kids should be playing tackle football. Flag will be more than fine until they get to the appropriate age where they can handle the sport.

Everything in life has risks. It's impossible to shield everyone from everything, and I know for certain I gained more from playing football than I lost. To each their own, I guess.

My boys play organized flag football. I have held my oldest out of tackle even though all of his friends do it. Next year he will be in 7th grade which is the first year of school organized. Not sure what is going to happen.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Is anyone surprised by these 'stats'? It really fits well with the
argument, today, that there is a 'wimpification' of American going on.

GO HAWKS

BTW: I did play college foosball and there nuttin wrong w
my brain, obliviously.

 

[hawkster03]

Yes....
https://www.gq.com/story/the-concussion-diaries-high-school-football-cte

Sitting in my office wiping the tears off my face. OMG what a story.

 

[David1979]

I have no idea what the future of football is but these numbers are going in the wrong direction.


Darren Rovell‏Verified account@darrenrovell Feb 2
NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll: 48% of Americans don’t want their children playing football. Four years ago, when the question was asked, it was at 40%.

And that number will only go up.

 

[David1979]

I think an interesting thing will be to see where some of the athletes go. What sport will they choose now? Will you seen an increase in baseball participation? Basketball? Soccer which has its own head injury concerns?

 

[hawkedoff]

It will go the way or boxing. How many parents want their kids boxing?

Football will still be around bur wont be the same. Nor should it.

 

[katman15]

I also played and love football.

But if I have sons, they are more than welcome to play football. Techniques and equipment are getting better by the day. I would not, however, let them start playing until junior high. There's no reason little kids should be playing tackle football. Flag will be more than fine until they get to the appropriate age where they can handle the sport.

Everything in life has risks. It's impossible to shield everyone from everything, and I know for certain I gained more from playing football than I lost. To each their own, I guess.

Excellent point. 7 on 7, touch football, skills camps and contest are fine till 7th grade.....I would limit the amount of games they can play in7th grade...Some of these 6th and 7th graders are playing in weekend tournaments where they might play 3 games in two days.

 

[Curt Furence]

Is anyone surprised by these 'stats'? It really fits well with the
argument, today, that there is a 'wimpification' of American going on.

GO HAWKS

BTW: I did play college foosball and there nuttin wrong w
my brain, obliviously.

Being worried or concerned about brain injuries is not a "wimpification." If you don't want to play football because you are worried about getting broken bones or bruises, sure, but the head is something different altogether.

 

[hawkfeever]

Gonna have to go no contact practices at least until 11th grade and then limited contact in practice. Until they can explain or test as to why someone can develop this so early versus someone who played it for so long and doesn't appear to have symptoms. Just read an interview with Fran Tarkenton and he doesn't appear to have any symptoms and he had to have taken some head shots in his days. That said very doubtful I will let my son play football in its current state. have some years to go and he may not even be interested, but just can't see subjecting his head to possible long term effects like this.

 

[MepoDawg#]

There’s got to be other common factor(s) leading to CTE in addition to head trauma. Otherwise what about the thousand and thousands, probably millions who have played football for years show no symptoms and live long, healthy lives.

 

[RoundRock620]

I listen to an interview few days ago about studies that show that kids who start playing tackle football at 12 or younger are much more likely to have major brain changes/injuries due to impacts. He says there is something about that development age when the brain is being formed in fast pace that leaves permanent changes/injuries.

 

[RogerKint]

I grew up in Iowa City when organized flag football was open for grades 5 - 6 and the first time helmets were used were when you entered the 7th grade. If what RoundRock620 is saying, perhaps I was fortunate to have played when I did. I did go to college on a football scholarship, but played just one year. I am nearly 60 years old and my mind is solid. Not to say things could not change, but I would definitely do the same thing all over again.

 

[soybean]

Football will either begin the process of emphasising technique over brute force or go out of business as they know it. I cringed during the era of Bob Sanders mania that engulfed Iowa Football at one point. Thankfully that has largely passed and college football as a whole is begining the long march back into the mainstream.

 

[Bulldog64]

I think an interesting thing will be to see where some of the athletes go. What sport will they choose now? Will you seen an increase in baseball participation? Basketball? Soccer which has its own head injury concerns?

From the trends, all sports are going down. Kids, for the most part, are less willing to do athletics. The kids are more likely to develop dementia as adults being inactive and having hypertension and obesity than they are from football

 

[SoFla-Hawkeye]

I have an old high school buddy who is the head athletic trainer at a P5 program. His son will be walking on at that school this coming fall. I have spoken in depth with him about my own boys playing football. We saw a 4 car accident on the way to school just this morning. There are inherent risks in most everything we do, be it sitting on the couch, driving a car, or playing football. My oldest dislocated an elbow playing football. Boy #2 survived 3 years virtually injury free. Boy #3 broke a hand playing, then broke the other hand wrestling the very same year. We let boy #4 play spring ball last year but not fall ball this year. I exhale every time they walk off the field. Do the same thing when they walk in the door after hanging with the buddies. Nothing easy about being a parent.

 

[hawkfeever]

I have an old high school buddy who is the head athletic trainer at a P5 program. His son will be walking on at that school this coming fall. I have spoken in depth with him about my own boys playing football. We saw a 4 car accident on the way to school just this morning. There are inherent risks in most everything we do, be it sitting on the couch, driving a car, or playing football. My oldest dislocated an elbow playing football. Boy #2 survived 3 years virtually injury free. Boy #3 broke a hand playing, then broke the other hand wrestling the very same year. We let boy #4 play spring ball last year but not fall ball this year. I exhale every time they walk off the field. Do the same thing when they walk in the door after hanging with the buddies. Nothing easy about being a parent.

The chances of one getting hit in the head on almost any play in football is much much higher than the probability of being in a car accident. And a meteor might hit the Earth and wipe us all out tomorrow. Have to look at probabilities of something actually happening.

 

[bojihawk44]

The chances of one getting hit in the head on almost any play in football is much much higher than the probability of being in a car accident. And a meteor might hit the Earth and wipe us all out tomorrow. Have to look at probabilities of something actually happening.

The point is there's risks with everything we do. The bad part is we don't know when they'll formulate and cause real damage. Football is a dangerous sport and obviously isn't for everyone, but not all people who play are going to suffer traumatic brain injuries. Luckily, this is an issue we are now educated on more than ever before and it's being taken seriously. New techniques will help tremendously and new equipment will help some. If you don't want your son to play, then fine. Fortunately, many boys still do want to play and the game will be better for it.

 

[Franisdaman]

it does not help when:

* CTE is on everyone's mind

* Justin Timberlake says during the Super Bowl that he would not allow his 3 year old son to ever play football

* Mothers are more and more against their sons playing football (on Sunday's Meet the Press they broke down the numbers and mothers were REALLY against football, which could be a big problem for the future of football)

* You have people like Tyler Sash dying at a young age

* You have articles like the one written by the Des Moines Resister with the heading
Football 'literally killed' 24-year-old Zac Easter of Iowa.

 

[Daggerfoot]

It will go the way or boxing. How many parents want their kids boxing?

Football will still be around bur wont be the same. Nor should it.

I have both my girls 11 and 16 in muay thai kickboxing...there is no striking to the head until you reach the level of an advanced adult in their gym. I know it's not quite the point you were making, but martial arts in general are a great alternative to football. At most gyms, there is zero striking to the head in training, and heavy sparing and competition are optional.

 

[Bulldog64]

* CTE is on everyone's mind

* Justin Timberlake says during the Super Bowl that he would not allow his 3 year old son to ever play football

* Mothers are more and more against their sons playing football (on Sunday's Meet the Press they broke down the numbers and mothers were REALLY against football, which could be a big problem for the future of football)

* You have people like Tyler Sash dying at a young age

* You have articles like the one written by the Des Moines Resister with the heading
Football 'literally killed' 24-year-old Zac Easter of Iowa. [/QUOTE]

I can't cite it but I saw an article a while back, mentioning a high prevalence of CTE in military personnel. Just curious what other occupations might have a high rate.
Most people suffer concussions in their lifetime. I have had multiple. My first was falling off playground equipment in the third grade. The others were goofing off with my buddies. My son had his first in PE in Kindergarten. As for suicides, the rate of athletes is much less than the general population. They just grab more headlines

 

[TDJ7]

48% of Americans had no clue playing a game that requires you wear a helmet may lead to head injuries.

 

[ctghawk]

I played football. I LOVE football. I have amazing memories from playing football.

I don't want my two boys playing football. Their brains are their number one asset.

Well said.

 

[IFlyEm]

Before you know it it won’t matter if you want your son to play or not. It just won’t be offered.

https://melmagazine.com/the-frontli...football-are-now-grade-schoolers-19891e58100b

 

[Bulldog64]

Before you know it it won’t matter if you want your son to play or not. It just won’t be offered.

https://melmagazine.com/the-frontli...football-are-now-grade-schoolers-19891e58100b

It's not the first time that football has been under attack and people wanted it to be banned. Teddy Roosevelt led a group of people to have it banned from colleges because it was unsafe. At that time a large number of trampling deaths occurred. It didn't destroy the game but led to innovations like the forward pass. Maybe they will remove the face mask or change the safety gear to be something less like plastic armor. People want to destroy institutions that incite passion whether is from jealousy or genuine concern

 

[bojihawk44]

Before you know it it won’t matter if you want your son to play or not. It just won’t be offered.

https://melmagazine.com/the-frontli...football-are-now-grade-schoolers-19891e58100b

Changes are going to be made, but football isn't going anywhere.

Hopefully with education and insight we can reverse the trend of mothers not wanting their kids to play. The game is safer than it's ever been, and will continue to get safer by the year. Every sport is dangerous in one way or another.

 

[HawkeyeShawn]

I have no idea what the future of football is but these numbers are going in the wrong direction.


Darren Rovell‏Verified account@darrenrovell Feb 2
NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll: 48% of Americans don’t want their children playing football. Four years ago, when the question was asked, it was at 40%.

My son has played since the 4th grade. He’s now a Freshman. He’s had 1 concussion but it happened in BASKETBALL. It was nasty and he sat out 60 days. Went to a concussion specialist and he said he does not recommend holding him out of any future sports. The pros of being in sports outweighs the cons of sitting your child out on the chance he might get another concussion.

With that being said, one more and he’s done.

For me, I counted up 5 concussions in my lifetime. Played 6 years of football. Zero concussions from football. All concussions came from being a reckless kid/adult.

 

[bojihawk44]

If you have girls, better not let them play soccer.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170314081533.htm

 

[Rustys Dad]

As long as there are potential scholarships to be had and a potential path to NFL money, there will always be a group of kids willing and wanting to strap on the chin strap.

You can't argue the fact football is a violent game. I attended my first NFL game about 8 years ago and had seats close to the field. TV does not do justice to the speed and impact of bodies colliding.

That game was an eye-opening experience for me ...