Children Playing Unsafe Sports

High school sports are an important aspect of a young person’s life because it could decide their college, careers, and determine their social circle. High school football is a time where a fellowship occurs, not only with students, but the community also. There is on going issues with contact sports such as should there be rule changes or eliminate the game completely because of head injuries occurring too often. The problem is deciding whether the risks of playing these sports are worth it in the end. Are the risks of football worth the entertainment or should should football be banned for safety reasons? Doctor Anne McKey stated that if anything, we should have rule changes and equipment changes because it’s not worth the risk (CNN, 2012).

Children who participate in youth league will inevitably play in high school and college and on a professional level, it is essential to refine the game for them. Change is uncomfortable for everyone at first, but it is essential to the game. Despite the fact, that nothing will make football completely safe, it is important to remain resilient and use better equipment and technology. Dan believes that everyone who is interested in sports should ask themselves what is the price of football? If men and women learn to adapt and support a game that is less aggressive but will help fortify the future of football, than it is not only the players that will feel and realize the positive

42 percent polled say it is appropriate for children to begin playing tackle football younger than age 14. Parents are starting to hold their kids out of football and other sports which is keeping them from learning the game and learning social skills early in life. Youth sports have been a part of many kids’ lives for as long as the sports have existed. Youth sports keep kids active and helps them get out of the house. Youth sports help kids develop social skills at a young age and they gain a better understanding of the game. As a result, youth sports are important parts in kids’ lives because they help kids develop social skills and they help them get a better understanding of the game, even though there are some safety issues.

Football is a sport known for the excitement it brings to the audience and to the players. This sport is being played around the country professionally, and throughout colleges and high schools. With all the tackling, screaming, touchdowns, and energy football produces, people either love the sport or find it to be too dangerous. Many people who believe football to be a dangerous sport especially fears the danger it puts high school students in. The concern of young lives being at stake just to be a part of a sport makes numerous people question football in high schools. What those people don’t realize though, is that football in high schools is an amazing opportunity for young men (and in some cases young women) to prepare for life and the trials it comes with. Playing football in high school will teach young men to learn to have a great work ethic, make quick decisions to better not only themselves but the others around them, and give them a chance to get athletic scholarships for colleges.

Football: America’s greatest pastime and favorite all-American sport hides one of our nation’s biggest health concerns; concussions. On average, boys can begin playing tackle football at the age of five and weighing a minimum of 35 pounds, and from that point on they are taught the values of strategy, tackling, running, and teamwork. (Warner, 2016) Some of those children will later become the Professional Football players or college level players.

There’s no doubt that concussions in football has become a major problem, not just for the professional athletes, but for kids of all ages from age 8 to 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that concussion have doubled in the last decade and The American Academy of Pediatrics says that, “emergency room visits for concussions in children ages 8 to 13 years old has doubled, and concussions have risen 200 percent among teens ages 14 to 19 in the last decade” (Keith Dunlap, The Oakland Press). This shows that the seriousness of concussions is not just an issue at a pro level but an issue throughout all levels of play. The risk is definitely present when you play football but it shouldn’t stop parents from letting their children participate in the sport. Playing organized sports such as football isn’t just a place to get injured, it’s a place where your children can learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, toughness, competitiveness, they learn succeed, and also they learn about failure. The parents who don’t allow their children to play sports don’t let their kids learn about these important lessons of organized sports. Football is also a way for kids to take their anger and struggles out in the game and help them express themselves. It can also be a way for kids in bad situations to get a way out, to try and reach the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The topic of most concern for both parents and school board members is the risk of injuries. Tackle football may be fun for children, but the hits can be hard, resulting in excruciating injuries that can have long lasting effects that aren’t fully understood, such as reason as to why some kids don’t recover from a single injury or why some children have more catastrophic

U.S. Football reported a 6.7% decrease in youth participation (ages: 6–14) for the 2011 season. Further, Pop Warner, the United States largest youth football organization saw a decline in participation during this time, off 9.5% between 2010 and 2012 (Fainaru & Fainaru-Wada). In other sports, a study done by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association recorded more kids than ever are not playing at all. Inactivity among children approached 20% in 2014, continuing a six-year upward trend. In the same age bracket, the average number of team sports played per participant has fallen 5.9% over the last five years and now sits at 2.01 (Murphy). This downward trend shows parents are worried of the effects concussions can have on kids. Key players in the sports industry have come forward and discussed the long-term difficulties they are experiencing from head trauma. Former NFL Minnesota Vikings player Fred McNeill, star of the 1977 Super Bowl, can hardly remember his glory days or even what events happened yesterday. With the NFL recently being under the spotlight for occurrences of concussions and former players coming forward with their experiences, it’s no wonder parents are being cautious with what sports their kids are

Parents across the United States are on the edge on whether or not they want their children to play football. The answer is very simple: the benefits far outweigh the danger. Media across the globe is over-exaggerating evidence about injuries, specifically the most controversial one by far, the concussion. For example, the new movie “Concussion” featuring Will Smith illustrates a doctor’s quest to expose the NFL for something they aren't hiding. Concussions at this point are common knowledge, and although they are dangerous, they are only dangerous if not treated properly. If a player is found to have a concussion, they will not be able to play for 2-8 weeks depending on the severity. As long as there isn’t another

Football is a rough sport. Many fans of the game watch it for the hard hits. These hard hits and the potential for injury is part of what makes the game so exciting. Some people say that football is too brutal and should be banned. Parents all over the United States don’t allow their children to play because of the risk of head injuries. Others allow their sons, and every now and then their daughters, to play and risk injury for a chance to earn a college scholarship and for a small percentage of players, the chance to play in the National Football League (NFL).

Should parents let their children play football? Is the risk of head injury too great for children to be allowed to play the game? Should schools programs change the rules of the game to make it less dangerous? Football teaches teamwork, discipline and responsibility. Although some people think that football is dangerous, some think it's safe because they have the best equipment, helmet training and neck stabilization to keep the neck safe when they land wrong, any exercise keeps children healthy and team sports give them this opportunity.

Until two weeks ago, sixth graders could be found tossing footballs, running for touchdowns, and working through sports-related conflicts. Recess was a time to play, learn, and exercise. Then, football was banned for being “too dangerous.” Now you’ll find us lounging on the grass and wishing for something to fill our time with. What adults at M.S. 293 need to understand is that football is not dangerous.

The American people are facing a threat that is preying on their youth. It lives in peace with them, but keeps quiet in the shadows, until it strikes. The threat plagues their days with horrible costs. It is disguised as a national treasure, but has a darker presence. The youth population falls for its bait, and are met with the powerful feeling of deceit.

Dating back to 1892, a new threshold in American sports history was achieved. The Allegheny Athletic Association had defeated the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. More importantly, William Heffelfinger was paid $500 to participate on the AAA team, thus birthing Professional Football. As the years passed, American Football has seen an exponential progression, including the introduction of children’s football associations. While there is a numerous group of parents who have no problem with their child being involved in football, recent revelations would begin to grow concern in some. It is because of this we must ask, should parents disallow their children from participating in football, or should they focus on the more positive benefits that the organized sport could have?

Football is America’s most popular sport; however, recently controversy has been arising pertaining to the injuries and violence connected to football. Within the last five years the topic of allowing youth to play football has blown up. Though the injuries vary dramatically, what has really been the key subject is head related injuries, typically concussions. Parents around the country are debating whether or not their children should play the sport, specifically contact football. Although football and most sports in general have injury related risks attached with it, there are still arguments why kids around the country should be able to enjoy one of the most liked sports. Reasons such as building teamwork, physical activity and free will can lead to why many believe that there should not be a dispute regarding football.