Would you allow your son to play football?

[TGantz]

Connor gets dizzy if he turns his head too fast and vomits almost every morning when he gets out of bed. He hasn't changed much save for a nasty alcohol habit he picked up.

I'm honestly asking, not being my usual sarcastic self, but could those two be related?

[2nd Timer]

I should have specified, the vomiting started before the alcohol.

[Jocephus]

no worries. wake forest is using technology developed by toyota to make football safe.

also, buy a toyota!

[vinsanity]

There are helmets out there that significantly cut down on concussion risks. See: Aaron Rodgers.

Riddell has two models, Schutt has another and then there's 'Xenith' which might prove to be even more effective than the other two brands.
http://www.xenith.com/
http://www.riddell.com/360/
http://www.schuttsports.com/Default.aspx

With proper equipment like mouth guards and helmets, and proper tackling technique the concussion risk should be limited. It comes down to educating them, teaching players that going out and playing when your dizzy or have a headache or whatever isn't tough - it's stupid.

[cards2468]

I'll let 'em play.


I never played hockey, but while I'm sure there are as many, if not more concussions in hockey, I'm not sure if as much head trauma in general occurs. When I played football, I had severe headaches daily. It just seemed like every game and practice I got at least a minor concussion. I was a safety on defense and a running back on offense, so I definitely was involved in more tackling than most players, but the headaches are the main reason I quit playing.

[JCShutout]

Heck, I was a hockey goalie and had a handful of mild concussions link (I was aggressive). Looking at everything now, I'm pretty lucky.

[lukethedrifter]

Add Bob Probert to the list.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/sport ... .html?_r=1

But the legacy of Probert, who died last July of heart failure at 45, could soon be rooted as much in his head as his hands. After examining Probert’s brain tissue, researchers at Boston University said this week that they found the same degenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, whose presence in more than 20 deceased professional football players has prompted the National Football League to change some rules and policies in an effort to limit dangerous head impacts.

[Hungary Jack]

Heck, I was a hockey goalie and had a handful of mild concussions link (I was aggressive). Looking at everything now, I'm pretty lucky.

I played goalie too, but I sure as hell didn't get any concussions. What were you doing out there Hextall?

[Sutter'sBeard]

I , Absolutely, will want my son (who is now 2 years old) to play football and crush other children. Worrying about concussions and all the other risks that come with football is secondary to the enjoyment, lessons and memories he will get out of it if he wants to play. I hate to admit it but I will be somewhat disappointed if he doesn't want to play.

As a HS football official, I have seen a few pretty serious injuries and they make me have temporary second thoughts about my child playing. Those 2nd thoughts are quickly forgotten when you see the fun that comes with being part of a football team. Although, for the most part, I think it is great to see that parents nowadays are 100 times more involved in their children's lives and safety than just a generation or two ago but, at the same time, it sucks some of the better parts of childhood out of the child.

[IMADreamer]

Probably I would reluctantly, but at 30 years old there isn't a day my body doesn't hurt and it's because of football. I played until I was 20 years old which I realize isn't nearly as long as the pros play but by the time I was 20 and was missing large chunks of my life due to injuries sustained in football I decided it wasn't worth it. Don't get me wrong one of my favorite things in the world was to play kick off team and run down the field full steam and smash someone, but day after day hit after hit you just wear down and every time it takes a little longer to come back.

I was six months later then my friends getting my drivers license because of a knee injury.
I missed my senior homecoming because of a knee injury
I missed a wedding I was in because I got a concussion in a game the day before.
The last straw was when I was 20 I hit someone so hard I got a concussion. I didn't know who I was for a couple days after that. That was it for me.

Aside from the injuries there is the constant pressure from coaches to play no matter what, to meet the weight they set for you no matter how unhealthy it might be, and the season is 365 days a year. You sacrifice a lot for what? To be one of the jocks in high school? So that girls in college notice you? For fun? I don't know

Now as I look back at age 30 and what amounts to only 8 years of me playing organized football I can't say it was really worth it.