A group of retired NFL players accused the league and the makers of Riddell football helmets in California state court Friday of failing to warn players that head injuries can lead to irreversible brain damage and dementia.
As a young parent, I encouraged my three sons to play youth sports and they participated in youth tackle football. As I aged, I realized that permitting them to do so was probably not a good decision on my part. Over the years, I have watched the sport in Florida, at least, advance dramatically in terms of speed of the game, fundamental skills, and coach and player acumen. These children can play. Which means, the ones who are well-coached, understand the game and play with intensity, can hit very hard at full speed. My current opinion (age 46) is that youth tackle football poses too much of a risk for young and developing children. The risk of broken bones and torn ligaments, which is very real, pales in comparison to the damages which can result from a head injury. If you are allowing your child to play, I recommend the following: 1) buy them the best equipment you can reasonably afford (especially helmets); 2) make sure your child is adequately hydrated, fed and well-rested before any practice or game; and 3) attend every practice and game with them so that you can learn about their coaches and the players surrounding your child and be there if your child is injured.