Why Is Football Too Dangerous To Be Played In High School

In Ken Reeds article written for the Chicago Tribune, he takes a step further when discussing the negatives of football. In his article with the simple and straight forward name, “It’s Time to Ban High school Football”, he outlines the reasons why there is no room for football in today’s society. Reed who serves as a sports policy directed states very early in the article that his father is a football coach and

The first positive influence that football has on high schools is teaching students many valuable attitudes and social skills. Football players dedicate themselves to their sport and relentlessly train and practice so they can compete with others. While doing this they

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.

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).

When were young, we dream of what we want to be when we grow up. Some will say, a police officer, a firefighter, a movie star, a doctor, and maybe even a teacher. There are probably many other choices, but mine was to be an NFL Football Player. This is not a dream I share alone as many other youths envision this dream too. So, we go out to parks and play the great American sport and pretend to be our favorite player. Growing up a Cowboy fan I would always pretend I was NFL great Emmitt Smith. So many of our youth still do the same as I work at an elementary school and here kids all the time at recess yell out football term such as “O’DELL” when a great catch is made, or “HOUSE” when some is apparently going to score a touchdown without contest. These action bring joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. This feeling is short lived though, as the Recess Supervisor usually ends the game because it is not a recess permitted activity. After it has concluded I ask myself “why is this game that promotes fitness so bad that they cannot even play it in a structured time of day that promotes physical activity?” The answer lies in the topic of a big social debate on youth football and its safety. Recent, I watch a episode of South Park that addressed this. Many social issues are viewed in this show in an entertain way. The episode show how parents growing concern over the safety of the sport lead to the modification of the game in an event the show called “ Sarcastaball” in which the

“”I never really thought going back would cost me in the long run,” Monti says” (Tyler). In today's society, young men participating in football are raised to “be tough” and “take a hit”. What they do not consider are the dangers of going back too soon. Many athletes will be experiencing symptoms of concussions, like dizziness and vision issues, but they continue to play (Meadows). American football is one of the most popular and loved sports in the nation. From nearly birth to adulthood, a majority of boys will participate in football. Football brings entertainment to millions of viewers, but it can also be very threatening to the lives of young men. Although high school football can be amusing, the dangers can lead to injuries and diseases and therefore affect the young athletes in the long run.

“Touchdown!” What would you do if a full crowd of people were staring down at you and a thousands of fans were depending on you? Well, that’s how every football player feels at every football game. However, America’s favorite sport is in trouble. Some people believe football is too dangerous and kids should not play it anymore. According to ESPN, enrollment in Pop Warner, the largest youth-football league in the U.S., dropped 9.5 percent from 2010 to 2012. Regardless, Americans should allow their kids to play football because it offers athletic scholarships to students who can’t afford to go to college, builds important skills, and get kids physically active.

Many children possess more passion for football than any other sport, and the love for the demanding game appeals to many young boys in America. Passion holds the ability to drive people towards excellence. Children who participate in their favorite sport work often harder for success and confront the challenges of a busier schedule head on. To compete for the team, student athletes must maintain a decent GPA and sustain good school attendance.

Imagine a friend who cannot afford college, but is an outstanding football player. America’s favorite sport can turn dreams into reality, as well as open opportunities for young athletes. A football player’s valuable talent can result in a college scholarship. Football is also a favored tradition, from Thanksgiving to the Superbowl. Should the youth perform in football? Kids should be able to play football because it teaches life lessons, advances education, and is a beneficial source of exercise.

Many years before American football was played, in England, a sport called association football or in America soccer was created to be played in the public schools of England. American football began as an evolution of soccer and rugby mixed together. In modern society American football and soccer are two of the most popular sports for high school boys around the nation. It’s always a difficult choice to decide which sport is more suitable for freshmen athletes. Every fall, high school students who want to play a sport must make a challenging decision between the rigorous cardio of soccer or the arduous physical strength required for football.

“I believe that when kids play football at a young age, it tends to guide their life in a positive way, all that running is exercise and since obesity rates in Mississippi are rising I think the risk is worth the reward” (Bailey 1). “I never played football growing up and that’s why I don’t have brain problems” (Giles 2). Those mixed feelings, consequently made me decide to research the following: The Perception of danger in youth football. I want to inquire what people literally think about children playing football at such an early age. Derek Kreager stated in a literature text that “social learning theories would expect peers to have a greater impact on individual behavior in an interdependent team sport” (710). This means that

Over and over again we hear that children should be involved in extracurricular activities. Children are told to get out there, see what you like, find your passion, and to be involved. While some like to join academic clubs to further enhance their learning in a subject, others find that athletic activities are more valuable to their lives. By children being able to play a sport, such as football, they are able to get involved, find a passion, make long-lasting friendships, and learn valuable life lessons. The value of high school football can be seen by looking at the priceless life lessons, the enjoyment of the sport, and the achievements made by these student athletes.

Students play sports for many different reasons (e.g. pay for college tuition, stay in shape, be social.) Although some reasons of playing are good there are many aspects of high school sports that students and parents don’t spend enough time thinking about (e.g. pros and cons of high school sports.) Being an athlete in high school teaches you many things (e.g. character building, socialization, sportsmanship, live a healthier lifestyle, college preparation, ect.) Along with positive aspects of being a student athlete in high school, there are also negative ones (e.g. injuries, lack of free time, pressure, not focusing on school.)

Childhood is a time of learning; what better way for boys to learn, than through a favorite sport? As boys go through the first stages of football, they pick up valuable skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. They can learn skills such as work ethic, discipline, and perseverance. A main asset that children can also learn through football, is teamwork. In an interview conducted on Matt Sims, an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Colby High School Eagles, Sims states that teamwork is a very vital part of a football game (Sims 1). By knowing that nothing can get accomplished if positions

Being a high school football player is difficult at times, but student-athletes can make this very easy if they want it to be. I played high school football all four years, and it was easy to me because I played with my teammates in middle school too. Because of that, my team trusted each other and depended on each other during the game of football. My football team was on its way to a state championship because we came together, did our assignments in the game and worked hard everyday in practice.