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American football has always been a topic of intense discussion and scrutiny. You may recall the protests led by athletes like Colin Kaepernick against police violence in 2020. But have you heard of players like Aaron Johnson or Billy Smith? Both were once celebrated NFL athletes, yet they were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.), a serious neurological condition linked to brain injuries, after their deaths. This alarming trend is echoed by numerous football and contact sport players.
One of those speaking out is former quarterback Jake Matthews, who enjoyed a two-decade NFL career. In a recent public service announcement, Matthews stated, “Allowing children to play before they reach high school is simply not worth the risk.” With football season upon us, it’s essential to understand the implications of C.T.E. on your child’s health.
Typically, C.T.E. is diagnosed posthumously when the brain is examined. It arises from the gradual degeneration of brain tissue due to the abnormal accumulation of proteins, which happens when the brain is repeatedly jolted within the skull — a common occurrence during tackles in football. Matthews emphasizes that tackle football should be avoided for youth under the age of 14 because repeated impacts to the head significantly raise the risk of developing C.T.E. In his heartfelt PSA, he advocates for prioritizing the mental well-being of young players, encouraging parents to delay their children’s entry into tackle football.
C.T.E. is indeed preventable. Matthews outlines some of the symptoms in his video, which include chronic depression, violent tendencies, erratic behavior, memory loss, and mood swings. In many areas, children can begin tackle football as young as five. If they continue until high school, they may have already sustained brain trauma without any visible signs. Currently, there is no existing test to diagnose C.T.E. until after death, making early detection impossible. Contact sports expose players to repeated head impacts, and the symptoms can easily be mistaken for typical adolescent mood swings or developmental challenges.
The human brain is delicate and regulates all aspects of our behavior. At the age of five, children are still in crucial stages of brain development. From birth to age five, the brain grows at an unprecedented rate, and by the time a child reaches kindergarten, it is only about 90% developed. Gross motor skills continue to evolve until around age 12, making it unwise to expose these developing brains to the risks associated with tackle football, especially before high school.
In a 2017 interview with a sports outlet, former NFL star Rob Daniels expressed regret about his football career, stating, “If I had known then what I know now, I would have never played football. I wish I had been aware of the risks associated with head injuries, but back then, we were largely in the dark.” This sentiment reflects the growing awareness of C.T.E. and its dangers.
Thanks to advancements in research, we now understand more about the consequences of repeated head trauma, and this knowledge should guide our decisions for our children’s futures. High-profile cases like Aaron Johnson, who faced legal issues and tragically took his own life, and Billy Smith, who was involved in serious criminal acts before his death, serve as stark reminders of the potential consequences of C.T.E.
It’s crucial for parents to recognize that we can only do so much for our children. Knowing what we do about the effects of trauma on developing brains, we have the power to choose not to enroll our kids in programs that may cause them harm, both during gameplay and in the long term.
Jesse Lane, an assistant professor of neurology at Boston University’s C.T.E. Center, notes that, “In individuals with similar exposure to football, one may develop the disease while another does not, suggesting that genetic factors may also play a role.” This uncertainty underscores the importance of cautious decision-making regarding youth football participation.
In conclusion, we have enough information to keep our children off the football field for now. For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this blog post. For authoritative guidance, visit Make A Mom and the CDC for excellent resources.