- I’m from the Midwest and grew up with football everywhere.
- I also played football when I was in high school — and broke some bones doing so.
- Even though I played the game, I’m not letting my sons do the same.
As a red-blooded, Midwestern boy born into Generation X, my upbringing was immersed in football culture. I have vivid memories of watching the San Francisco 49ers dominate the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX when I was just 10 years old.
I not only enjoyed watching the sport but also played it during my high school years. I gave it my all, enduring sweat, blood, and even broken bones. I had aspirations of playing at a collegiate level but instead found myself covering the sport as a journalist. This allowed me to witness college football and NFL games from press-row seats, an experience that thrilled me.
Given my own passion for the game and the enthusiasm I had passed down to my sons through fantasy football and game day rituals, it came as a surprise when they asked if they could join a youth football league. Rather than responding with an enthusiastic yes, I hesitated and ultimately made the decision to say no.
I would knock heads and see stars
Football was a significant part of my childhood. I watched games with my dad, played pickup games with friends, and cherished every Friday night under the stadium lights. However, these games also brought physical risks. I vividly recall moments where collisions with opposing players resulted in head-to-head impacts, leaving me dazed and disoriented.
The thrill of the game, the anticipation before each play, and the satisfaction of a powerful tackle were addictive. I questioned whether I should deny my athletic, red-blooded Midwestern boys the same experiences that had once defined my own existence.
It’s my obligation as their dad to keep them safe
Nevertheless, things had changed by the time my children were ready to engage in organized sports. The darker side of football began to emerge. The prevalence of head injuries, concussions, and the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) cast a shadow over the sport. Despite efforts to improve safety measures, the inherent violence of football remained.
The lives of former NFL players served as a cautionary tale. Many of them faced significant physical, mental, and emotional struggles later in life, which were attributed to CTE. Tragically, some even resorted to suicide. These revelations were impossible to ignore.
The risks of CTE extended beyond professional players. Research revealed its presence in college and high school athletes as well. Recent studies commissioned by the National Institutes of Health reported a 15% increased likelihood of a CTE diagnosis for every additional year playing football, with a corresponding 14% increased likelihood of severe CTE for those affected.
When we watched the film “Concussion” together, based on the pioneering work of Dr. Bennet Omalu, who linked CTE with NFL players, it served as a catalyst for conversation. I emphasized to my sons that as their father, it was my responsibility to prioritize their safety. Just as I wouldn’t allow them to walk into oncoming traffic, I couldn’t let them play a sport with such inherent risks.
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