How Tackle Football Poses Greater Risks to Our Children Than We Realize

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Football has long been a sport surrounded by controversy. You may recall the protests by athletes like Colin Johnson, who took a knee during the national anthem to highlight social issues. But have you heard of players like John Smith and Mike Jones? Both were NFL stars diagnosed posthumously with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E), a serious brain condition linked to repeated head trauma, alongside many others from the world of football and contact sports.

Former quarterback Jake Miller, with two decades of NFL experience, recently emphasized the risks in a public service announcement, stating, “Letting kids play tackle football before high school is simply not worth the danger.” With football season upon us, it’s essential to understand the implications of C.T.E and how it might influence your child.

Understanding C.T.E

C.T.E is typically diagnosed only after death, through examination of brain tissue. The condition arises from the gradual degeneration of brain matter due to abnormal protein buildup, which results from repeated impacts to the head—a common occurrence in football when players are tackled.

Miller insists that children under 14 should not participate in tackle football due to the heightened risk of developing C.T.E from repeated head injuries. In his heartfelt PSA, he advocates for the mental health of young athletes, urging parents to delay their children’s entry into tackle football.

The Symptoms and Risks

C.T.E is a preventable condition. Symptoms highlighted in Miller’s video, and confirmed by scientific study, include chronic depression, violent tendencies, erratic behavior, memory loss, mood swings, and various other issues. In some regions, children as young as five can enroll in tackle football, potentially leading to brain impairment even before they reach elementary school—without anyone being aware of it. There is currently no way to diagnose C.T.E until after death, meaning that ongoing contact sports increase the risk of repeated head injuries. The symptoms can easily be mistaken for typical teenage mood swings, complicating the situation further.

The brain, a delicate organ that regulates nearly all functions, is still developing at five years old. Children’s brains undergo rapid growth, with 90% of their development occurring before they enter kindergarten or even step onto a football field. Gross motor skills continue to develop until around age 12, making it unwise to expose these developing brains to tackle football at such a young age.

Voices of Experience

In a past interview, former NFL player Tim Brown expressed regret about his football career, stating, “Had I known back then what I know now, I would never have played. The game has become excessively violent.” The increased understanding of C.T.E’s effects presents us with a crucial choice for our children’s futures.

We’ve seen many former players, like Aaron Smith, who faced tragic outcomes linked to C.T.E. In a recent case, former NFL player Chris Adams committed a violent act and subsequently took his own life, with strong suspicions that he was suffering from C.T.E at that time.

The Broader Impact

C.T.E has devastating consequences not just for players but also for their families and communities. While we can only do so much to protect our children, we now understand the impact of trauma on developing brains. We have the option to refrain from enrolling them in a sport that could cause long-term harm.

Dr. Sarah Green, a neurology expert at the C.T.E. Center, explains that the disease manifests differently in individuals exposed to similar levels of football activity. This variability suggests that genetic factors may also play a role, and much remains to be learned about C.T.E. However, it is clear that we should reconsider allowing our kids to play tackle football at an early age.

Further Reading

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Summary

Tackle football poses serious risks to children’s developing brains, particularly through the potential for C.T.E, a condition linked to repeated head trauma. Experts recommend delaying tackle football participation until high school to protect young athletes from long-term harm. With growing knowledge about the consequences of head injuries, parents must make informed decisions for their children’s safety.

Keyphrase: Tackle Football Risks for Children

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