I Will Not Allow My Child to Engage in Tackle Football, and Scientific Evidence Supports This Stance

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In the midst of a chaotic morning, I received an urgent call from the school nurse. “You need to come to school immediately,” she insisted, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “Your son has sustained a head injury.”

At just 8 years old, my son had collided with another child during gym class, resulting in a brief loss of consciousness. When I arrived, I found him with a swollen, bruised bump on his head, looking dazed and confused. His condition deteriorated quickly—he experienced vomiting, difficulty walking, lethargy, and confusion. After consulting with our family physician, we rushed him to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with a concussion, which required nearly eight weeks for full recovery.

During this time, my son endured persistent headaches, visual disturbances, short-term memory issues, and concentration struggles—all stemming from what should have been a minor accident. Even though he eventually healed, the possibility of long-term damage to his developing brain remains unknown. This firsthand experience of a concussion’s debilitating effects led my husband and me to decide against allowing our son to play tackle football. Even now, as he watches local high school football games, he remembers the challenges he faced during recovery.

Scientific Evidence Against Tackle Football

Recent findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) bolster our decision. Researchers examined the brains of 111 former professional NFL players and discovered evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 110 of them. This alarming statistic compels parents to reconsider their children’s participation in full-contact sports such as football and boxing.

To clarify, CTE is a progressive brain disorder associated with repeated head trauma. The Alzheimer’s Association outlines symptoms of CTE, which can include memory loss, confusion, mood changes (including depression and suicidal thoughts), erratic behavior, attention deficits, and impaired motor skills. Definitive diagnosis of CTE can only occur post-mortem, yet the correlation between repetitive head injuries and the presence of CTE at death is well established.

In the JAMA study, they identified CTE in 177 out of the 202 brains of former American football players studied. These brains were donated by families who observed CTE symptoms in their loved ones, comprising individuals who had played at various levels of competition. While it is important to note that the sample may be biased toward those with CTE, it nonetheless emphasizes the urgent need for further research to safeguard young athletes.

To date, comprehensive long-term studies examining CTE in living subjects remain absent, primarily due to the significant financial and logistical challenges involved. Estimates suggest such a study could cost around $100 million and require extensive longitudinal tracking. However, the findings suggest a strong link between repeated head trauma during football play and lasting cerebral damage.

The NFL’s Response

The NFL has acknowledged these findings. In a statement to NPR, they noted that the medical community would benefit from this publication, and they pledged ongoing collaboration with experts to enhance the health of current and former players. The NFL has also allocated $100 million for research aimed at improving athlete safety, yet independent studies are vital to ensure unbiased data is available for parents making informed decisions about their children’s participation in football.

What Parents Can Do

So, what steps can parents take if their child is interested in football? First, advocate for your athlete’s football organization to support CTE research. While new jerseys are essential, equally important is fundraising for research on traumatic brain injuries in young participants. Ensure your child wears appropriate, up-to-date protective gear at all times during practices and games. Importantly, do not allow your child to return to play after a concussion until they have been fully cleared by a medical professional. Any pressure from coaches to expedite this process is a significant cause for concern.

Finally, it is crucial to recognize that increasing research highlights the serious implications of head injuries for children, both on and off the field. For those considering at-home insemination, resources such as Make A Mom offer valuable insights into the process, while their how it works page provides further clarification on insemination techniques. For those seeking a sperm donor matching community, consider joining the Make A Mom Facebook group. Another useful resource for understanding pregnancy and home insemination is the information provided on WebMD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the evidence is mounting against tackle football for children, highlighting the potential risks of concussions and long-term brain damage. It is essential for parents to remain informed and advocate for their children’s safety in all sporting activities.