KIRS Notebook – Would You Let Your Kids Play Football?

I’m still on the fence about Jason Street. Something tells me he was just a weakling. To your point though, I’m a pretty big football fan and I wouldn’t stop my kids from playing it. Times have changed and the game is safer on all levels. We’re learning more and more about concussion and everyday. It used to be that if a guy got a concussion, coaches, the player himself, the medical staff and everyone involved would try to conceal it. Now with the concussion protocols, guys are being taken better care of. It’s even gotten to the point where in college football, if a players helmet comes off, he’s required to sit out the following play.

Word.

I wouldn’t let my kids play football unless they really wanted to play and even then I wouldn’t want them to play until they are older. The game is inherently dangerous and although it “instills” essential leadership values, I believe a child can get those traits  from other sports. If it were up to me I want a kid to be dumb but able to throw a 110 mph fast ball with control and movement.

Personally I feel like football is one of the few sports that teaches teamwork and leadership. At no point in all my years of playing football was I the best player on the team but if I didn’t do my job, we could lose. No matter how good Peyton Manning is, he still has to trust and believe in 21 other guys. You can’t be a lone wolf the way you can in other sports and that’s a trait I value. There’s a feeling brotherhood and camaraderie that I never felt when I played other sports. The game is very violent but it’s taking steps to become safer. We don’t see as many injuries caused by contact and as we go on, things like that will only improve.