Football: The worst thing that happened to high school?

Photo of Michigan’s Football team

Photo of Michigan’s Football team

Goshuami Valoy, Reporter

You’re a big football fan. Sundays are spent parked in front of the TV watching crushing blow after crushing blow without really thinking about the concussion or other possible injuries. What do you do when your son or daughter says they want to play? Sure, they’re not going up against 300 pound linebackers, but there are still injury risks – and as a parent, how do you balance the benefits of exercise with the risk of them getting hurt?

Since it was first introduced to the school community, high school football playing had always been debatable. Although many parents argue that it is just too dangerous for their kids, others agree to disagree. This has become an even bigger problem recently, when an article by The Daily Mail revealed the dangers of playing this sport at a young age.

The article states that, “Scientists are once again calling on the NFL to acknowledge the links between football injuries and devastating brain diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s. It has been a subject of contention for years as more and more studies show concrete evidence that heavy-impact slams to the head can wreak havoc in the brain.”

But even though scientists, as well as doctors, have been warning the couches and schools that allow this for some time now, it hasn’t been very successful at decreasing the “hype” that comes when teens call themselves football players. The sport has become more and more popular among high schoolers than ever.

“I think it’s just considered ‘cool’ now, actually,” says Luke Copley, a sophomore student at the iSchool, and a passionate football fan.

“Maybe not so much in the city, but, like, in the suburbs it’s very common for high schools to have their own teams. Specially if they’re big. It makes the guys seem cool, masculine and attractive,” he stated.

And she couldn’t be more right. One of the main reasons this is such a popular sport to practice in school is because of the imagine and popularity that comes with it. Students, and even adult, are completely ignoring the fact that this may just be putting their children’s lives at risk, according to various medical examinations.

“I wouldn’t let my son play it,” says Ms. Brown, a science teacher at the iSchool. “I mean, I only have a daughter, but if I did have a son I wouldn’t allow him to play. I have a friend who’s husband use to play in high school and he got so injured one time, that up until this date he can’t really do much with his right wrist.”

Even though many parents are aware of the injuries this may bring, many students, regardless of if they participate or not, claim that at the end of the day, it’s just a game, and it isn’t as big of a deal as its seems. Many also claim that if kids plan to become football players one day and play as a career, you must start at a young age.

Luke Copley agrees that it is a skill you have to build up. “I have a cousin that has been playing since he was about 13 years old, and even that’s a little too old in the football world,” he states. “I mean, yeah it is dangerous and all, but isn’t every sport? It’s all about practice, and if you do it for so long, at one point it doesn’t even hurt.”

Considering how promising both sides of the argument are, it is clear that this will be an ongoing debate for much longer. In the meantime, it is undeniable that it is a sport any age range can enjoy watching.