Audio: The Solid Verbal - Would you let your son play football? with bonus MGoSurvey...

My sons the db..he does play O as a qb, couldn't you for the #16? Lol

don't get the babes.

I hear what you're saying.  I was able to scratch that itch, though, by playing softball--fast pitch, modified, and slow pitch--for many, many years after my last baseball game.  I last played regularly in a  slow-pitch softball league at age 45, at which point I hung it up in order  to have time to attend my oldest daughter's high school softball games.  I knew I could still play well enough at that point to go at it for a couple more years, but it was now her turn, and I'm happy that I was then able to not miss any of her games.

There are times I think about playing again (until my aching knees remind me to think better of it), but you're right about the golf and tennis, that's about my limit at this time.

We have 10 year old twins, a boy and a girl. We literally have to divide and conquer, with me going in one direction with one kid, and my wife going the other direction. We have said no to some things because we just need a break. Two years ago, there was football and soccer concurrently, then winter indoor soccer for both, then baseball and soccer, then swim team, after which we were fried. I will say, at least where I live, the time commitment for football is more extensive than some of the others.

The last line was hilarious.

My kinda kid.

There are several suggestions I would make.

First, I would really encourage you to do your homework on the topic of youth football. Specifically, the risk of damage to a 9 year old playing Pop Warner football is much, much lower than the risk in high school, which is much lower than college, and much lower than the pros. There is a lot of talking on this topic, but also a lot of ignorance. Here are some practical suggestions on this first area:

• Go to a number of Pop Warner games. The only downside is this would push you back a year and a half, but you have to do what you need for your peace of mind.
• Check the statistics. It isn't that hard to Google, but here is a link to a Pop Warner site on football injuries:  http://www.popwarner.com/football/footballsafety.asp. Here is a quote:  
•   In Pop Warner Football, there is “an absence of catastrophic head and neck injuries and disruptive joint injuries found at higher levels.”

  The injury rate in Pop Warner Football is: 

  less than one-third the injury rate in high school football (AND) less than one-fifth the injury rate in college football (AND) less than one-ninth the injury rate in professional football.

  Furthermore, Pop Warner's age-weight schematic protects younger, lighter players, who do not have higher injury rates. 

• You may be wondering how it could be that there are no catastrophic injuries among 9 year olds, who seem more vulnerable. The reason is quite simple, and obvious after you watch the games. Kids that age aren't very fast, or very strong, or very big. When you have kids who weigh 80 - 85 pounds tackling each other, and not going as fast or hard, it is very difficult to really get your bell rung.

The second area I would really challenge you in is the watching of football. If you aren't willing for your son to play football, it is the height of hypocrisy for you yourself to watch and follow football avidly yourself.

Part of the problem is the environment.  You mentioned the building of teamwork, but I wonder if you ever played football.  I earned 7 varsity letters playing 4 different sports and I can tell you that there is something different about football.  (although to be fair the things we did in wrestling were probably more dangerous) I never saw anyone taking painkillers before a baseball game, and never saw a coach line up two kids and have them run head first into each other from 10 yards as a punishment in basketball.  There is a mindset in football that you have to be a brainless gladiator. 

True story -

On my second concussion my senior year, we were running through the walkthrough practice the day before the game (shorts, shoulder pads and helmets), and as I ran around the end, the defensive player grabbed my jersey (because I couldn't be hit) and spun me around to throw me to the ground.  In a fluke deal, he spun me off of tmy feet and ended up slamming to the gound head first.  I blacked out and when I came to the coach was yelling at me to get up and back to the huddle.  He was showing me a card with a play drawn on it that he wanted me to run, and I swear to you the lines seemed to be moving all over the page and I couldn't make any sense of it.  His response was to put the card down and just verbally tell me what to do.  I of course played the next day.  When I talked to the coaching staff on Monday about my symptoms and how I didn't remember most of the game, they told me not to go to the doctor because they would automatically tell me to take two weeks off and they couldn't afford to lose me. 

Before you tell me that I just got a bad coach, I defy you to show me a football coach that isn't a meathead.  Most coaches secretly admire the kid who doesn't admit to pain and battles.  Kids pick up on this and it feeds a nasty cycle.  You can tell me all you want how there is more monitoring of injuries, but the football mindset will always encourage kids like me to ignore symptoms and be tough.  That mindset starts in youth football and grows as you progress.

Maybe... if you go to a big enough school to have a medical staff.

However, they are not mutually exclusive of my points.  I would not disallow it--I would worry.  Just like I worry because my kid is on the pitching mound and a ball *could* get their teeth smashed in by a line drive.

About a year and a half ago, Bree Evans--M softball player--dove into home and had a serious neck injury.  Thankfully she is okay, and obviously stuff happens in every sport.  The potential is there for me to walk out of my house and get hit by a car.  However the nature of football is violent, and there is an obvious increased potential for serious injury.  Everyone can come on and say "I played and I never got concussions."  That's great--and most people do play without serious injuries.  The potential is higher though, and some parents will worry about this.  duh.  Acting like they're crazy for that concern is kind of mean and insulting. 

Everyone is likely to have a broken heart--but how many parents are critical of the guy their daughter is dating because they want the best for their kid?  This is kind of the same thing, I suppose.. again, I wouldn't disallow it--I would give it consideration and be concerned.  Its difficult to control who your kid loves--or what sport they are passionate about, but parents worry.  Its our job.

So, I get the whole parenting thing--instill the right stuff and let them choose their path.  That is totally in line with my parenting style.  Meanwhile, I'm not encouraging my 8 year old to play football.  That's all.

I have not commited to preventing my kids from playing football, I have just made the decision that I will not put them into it.  When and if they decide they want to play, I will have to look into it further.  I feel, though, that each of us makes decisions for our kids based on our experiences and what we feel is best for them.  Many people work in the trades or in a shop, etc. and although they earned a good living, would rather their children take a different route.  Since you mentioned the military, that is a good example as well.  While I would be proud for my children to serve their country (although I would prefer a military academy to just joining after high school), I might not feel the same if I had served a tour overseas.  Our experiences change us.  I loved playing football, but I do have some nagging injuries and it is not like I played collegiately or professionally.  While they can be hurt in many ways, I would not be doing my job as a parent if I didn't at least consider limiting the highest risk activities. 

By the way, if you are so excited about being tough, why the Navy? 

Sorry, couldn't resist, I have two brothers-in-law who were in the Navy and it is a friendly dig.  I actually have a lot of respect for all of those who serve.