In a bold move, a recent public service announcement (PSA) challenges parents to reconsider enrolling their children in tackle football, advocating for a minimum age of 14 before participation. Over the past several years, tackle football has faced mounting scrutiny due to the alarming rate of concussions associated with the sport. As more cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a progressive brain disease linked to repeated head trauma—come to light, many parents are reevaluating their decisions regarding youth football.
This week, the Concussion Legacy Foundation launched a striking PSA that draws a parallel between the long-term risks of tackle football and the dangers of smoking cigarettes. The brief yet impactful video features a group of young players engaged in a football match. Following a tackle, the coach congratulates the kids and hands out cigarettes to each of them. As they puff away, a child’s voice narrates, “Tackle football is like smoking. The younger I start, the longer I am exposed to danger. You wouldn’t let me smoke. When should I start tackling?” The visual of a cheerful mother lighting her child’s cigarette further drives home the message.
This PSA is part of the “Tackle Can Wait” initiative, championed by two daughters of former NFL players who were diagnosed with CTE posthumously. Emily Johnson, whose father was a notable player, and Lisa Thompson, whose father played collegiately, aim to persuade parents to delay signing their children up for tackle football until they reach 14 years old, thereby mitigating the risk of developing CTE.
The Research Behind the Risks
Research published in the Annals of Neurology reveals that the number of years spent playing football, rather than the frequency of concussions, plays a significant role in the severity of CTE. The study found that the risk of CTE doubles for every 2.6 years of participation. Thus, a child who begins playing tackle football at age five is at a significantly higher risk—up to ten times more—of developing CTE by high school compared to peers who start at 14.
Why Compare Tackle Football to Smoking?
Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and co-author of the study, argues that implementing age restrictions for tackle football could potentially halve the risk of CTE, similar to age limitations on tobacco products. Although 14 is not an exact threshold, research indicates that children under 12 recover from brain injuries more slowly and are physically less prepared for the impacts of tackle football.
While enrolling a child in contact sports might not equate to handing them a pack of cigarettes, this PSA raises important questions about the future of tackle football at the youth level. Twenty years ago, the hidden dangers of the sport were not fully understood. With the knowledge we have today, it may be time to reconsider how we approach youth participation in tackle football—an important conversation indeed.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, the new PSA from the Concussion Legacy Foundation draws a stark comparison between the dangers of youth tackle football and smoking, urging parents to reconsider signing their children up for the sport until they are older. With research highlighting the risks of CTE associated with early participation, it may be time for a re-evaluation of the sport’s structure to prioritize the health of young players.