I rarely comment and don't start topics. But I wanted to know what you would do. Football is the greatest thing, except after the t.u. game. Not enough whisky to fix that. The question, a great nephew is getting old enough to start playing. He plays baseball but the only time he gets a hit is when he leans too far across the plate. His dad was good on the line. He can be too some day. But would you encourage your son, grandson... to play?

1. What's the family business and what puts money on the table in the family, and is it a comfortable life?
Is everyone in the family an accountant, doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc that relies heavily on cognitive ability?

2. Did either mom or dad receive an athletic scholarship?
Chances of getting a scholarship are low if they didn't Even lower of going pro

3. How tall are mom and dad? Is dad within an inch or two of the average height in the NFL of that position?

Only concern I have with football is concussions. All the other physical benefits to me outweigh the injury potential. If the kids parents make their money based on their education, it's generally not worth the risk of a concussion for junior unless he has a legitimate chance at the NFL. If neither mom nor dad received a college scholarship, Junior's chance of getting a scholarship plummet, and are even longer to make the NFL. And if dad isn't at least close to the size of the protoypical NFL player, Junior probably isn't making the NFL.

Position would also make a difference. I wouldn't allow my kid to play o-line or d-line unless I believed he had at least a 50/50 shot at a D1 scholarship. I would also request to watch a practice or two from the stands to see what the school is doing to limit head-to-head collisions in practice.

agnerd said:

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1. What's the family business and what puts money on the table in the family, and is it a comfortable life?
Is everyone in the family an accountant, doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc that relies heavily on cognitive ability?

2. Did either mom or dad receive an athletic scholarship?
Chances of getting a scholarship are low if they didn't Even lower of going pro

3. How tall are mom and dad? Is dad within an inch or two of the average height in the NFL of that position?

Only concern I have with football is concussions. All the other physical benefits to me outweigh the injury potential. If the kids parents make their money based on their education, it's generally not worth the risk of a concussion for junior unless he has a legitimate chance at the NFL. If neither mom nor dad received a college scholarship, Junior's chance of getting a scholarship plummet, and are even longer to make the NFL. And if dad isn't at least close to the size of the protoypical NFL player, Junior probably isn't making the NFL.

Position would also make a difference. I wouldn't allow my kid to play o-line or d-line unless I believed he had at least a 50/50 shot at a D1 scholarship. I would also request to watch a practice or two from the stands to see what the school is doing to limit head-to-head collisions in practice.

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Wow! I am glad my parents did not think the same. Engineer. Edit: I can't remember the last time I had a concussion.

agnerd said:

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1. What's the family business and what puts money on the table in the family, and is it a comfortable life?
Is everyone in the family an accountant, doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc that relies heavily on cognitive ability?

2. Did either mom or dad receive an athletic scholarship?
Chances of getting a scholarship are low if they didn't Even lower of going pro

3. How tall are mom and dad? Is dad within an inch or two of the average height in the NFL of that position?

Only concern I have with football is concussions. All the other physical benefits to me outweigh the injury potential. If the kids parents make their money based on their education, it's generally not worth the risk of a concussion for junior unless he has a legitimate chance at the NFL. If neither mom nor dad received a college scholarship, Junior's chance of getting a scholarship plummet, and are even longer to make the NFL. And if dad isn't at least close to the size of the protoypical NFL player, Junior probably isn't making the NFL.

Position would also make a difference. I wouldn't allow my kid to play o-line or d-line unless I believed he had at least a 50/50 shot at a D1 scholarship. I would also request to watch a practice or two from the stands to see what the school is doing to limit head-to-head collisions in practice.

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geeze... debbie downer

User name checks out

Jbob04 said:

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User name checks out

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Me? No kidding. They have me on direct "Call him for donations". I support my University. Not a 2 percenter.

Urban Country Boy said:

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agnerd said:

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1. What's the family business and what puts money on the table in the family, and is it a comfortable life?
Is everyone in the family an accountant, doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc that relies heavily on cognitive ability?

2. Did either mom or dad receive an athletic scholarship?
Chances of getting a scholarship are low if they didn't Even lower of going pro

3. How tall are mom and dad? Is dad within an inch or two of the average height in the NFL of that position?

Only concern I have with football is concussions. All the other physical benefits to me outweigh the injury potential. If the kids parents make their money based on their education, it's generally not worth the risk of a concussion for junior unless he has a legitimate chance at the NFL. If neither mom nor dad received a college scholarship, Junior's chance of getting a scholarship plummet, and are even longer to make the NFL. And if dad isn't at least close to the size of the protoypical NFL player, Junior probably isn't making the NFL.

Position would also make a difference. I wouldn't allow my kid to play o-line or d-line unless I believed he had at least a 50/50 shot at a D1 scholarship. I would also request to watch a practice or two from the stands to see what the school is doing to limit head-to-head collisions in practice.

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Wow! I am glad my parents did not think the same. Engineer. Edit: I can't remember the last time I had a concussion.

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That isn't a good sign…

Urban Country Boy said:

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Wow! I am glad my parents did not think the same. Engineer. Edit: I can't remember the last time I had a concussion.

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Surefire sign of multiple concussions.

What's the goal here, Urban?

If you want the kid to enjoy sports in his youth, let him, even encourage him, to play whatever sports he wants. We know the benefits of exercise, team play, use of your time, etc., etc. If your trying to create some machine that will get his scholarship for a college education or even pro ball, it's still a bit early to commit to any one sport, don't you think?

Up to his parents, not you.

( I'm in a similar situation. )

Urban Country Boy said:

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Jbob04 said:

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User name checks out

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Me? No kidding. They have me on direct "Call him for donations". I support my University. Not a 2 percenter.

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I was responding to agnerd

Gyles Marrett said:

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Play as many sports as possible and you'll become a well rounded athlete.

I know of a 6U baseball team that practices 5 days a week and has games every weekend....YEAR ROUND.

It's just plain stupid for 6 year olds. Even if baseball is their sport you gain a lot of athletic skills playing a variety of sports at a young age.

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This x10.

Playing multiple sports allows kids to develop more biomechanical control. This helps not only in a primary sport, but also how we move with age.

I will say one of the big blocks for this is if kids want to play a sport even at the high school level (in metro areas), it can become extremely competitive.

Urban Country Boy said:

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I rarely comment and don't start topics. But I wanted to know what you would do. Football is the greatest thing, except after the t.u. game. Not enough whisky to fix that. The question, a great nephew is getting old enough to start playing. He plays baseball but the only time he gets a hit is when he leans too far across the plate. His dad was good on the line. He can be too some day. But would you encourage your son, grandson... to play?

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If I remember correctly didn't you play for us?

mortal said:

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What's the goal here, Urban?

If you want the kid to enjoy sports in his youth, let him, even encourage him, to play whatever sports he wants. We know the benefits of exercise, team play, use of your time, etc., etc. If your trying to create some machine that will get his scholarship for a college education or even pro ball, it's still a bit early to commit to any one sport, don't you think?

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.

StinkyPinky said:

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Urban Country Boy said:

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I rarely comment and don't start topics. But I wanted to know what you would do. Football is the greatest thing, except after the t.u. game. Not enough whisky to fix that. The question, a great nephew is getting old enough to start playing. He plays baseball but the only time he gets a hit is when he leans too far across the plate. His dad was good on the line. He can be too some day. But would you encourage your son, grandson... to play?

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If I remember correctly didn't you play for us?

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Yes.

StinkyPinky said:

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Urban Country Boy said:

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I rarely comment and don't start topics. But I wanted to know what you would do. Football is the greatest thing, except after the t.u. game. Not enough whisky to fix that. The question, a great nephew is getting old enough to start playing. He plays baseball but the only time he gets a hit is when he leans too far across the plate. His dad was good on the line. He can be too some day. But would you encourage your son, grandson... to play?

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If I remember correctly didn't you play for us?

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Here is the thing, and the reason for the question. I never played any organized sports. I told my roommates that I like the whole college football thing and I think I will join the team. So I did.

If you're in an area that has it…lacrosse

Mayor West said:

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If you're in an area that has it…lacrosse

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I would have been much better if I could have carried a stick into the backfield.

Youth sports is a moneymaking racket and baseball is one of the worst in that regard. The amount of money people pour into club sports with similar results to regular HS sports of yesteryear should be investigated for fraud.

I posted above but for the record...my experience is obviously very small....
I got 2 concussions playing soccer....and some knee problems.
Worst I had in football was the wind knocked out of me as a CB getting tricked by a future D1 running back. But I made the tackle when most couldn't!

In high school football had some dudes break bones but in soccer also watched my buddy tear up a knee. No concussions except for me

Whatever he does just attend his games as often as you can!

There was a show on CTE that tracked youth and high-school football players. Players had MRIs before and after the season. During practices, their helmets had electronics to measure impact and acceleration.

The show found that youth players lack neck strength and suffered head accelerations equal to or greater than high-school players. Based on the data I know today, I would encourage my kids not play football. Just my opinion.

Sparkie said:

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There was a show on CTE that tracked youth and high-school football players. Players had MRIs before and after the season. During practices, their helmets had electronics to measure impact and acceleration.

The show found that youth players lack neck strength and suffered head accelerations equal to or greater than high-school players. Based on the data I know today, I would not encourage my kids not play football. Just my opinion.

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Well if they had found different it would not have been a show on CTE, would it?

The biggest challenge in young kids playing tackle is coaches(dads) who have no clue how to teach proper tackling. Too many dads, even after going through what I believe now are mandatory learning sessions in most/all youth sports leagues struggle to put it into use.

Good question 12th.

When comparing the CTE mri scans from the beginning of the season to the end, both the youth and high-school players showed signs of progressive damage. Because the youth players underwent the same accelerations, their damage was comparable to that of the older kids.

It was eye opening. I would have not have expected to see signs of CTE in youth sports.

12thMan9 said:

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Sparkie said:

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There was a show on CTE that tracked youth and high-school football players. Players had MRIs before and after the season. During practices, their helmets had electronics to measure impact and acceleration.

The show found that youth players lack neck strength and suffered head accelerations equal to or greater than high-school players. Based on the data I know today, I would not encourage my kids not play football. Just my opinion.

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Well if they had found different it would not have been a show on CTE, would it?

The biggest challenge in young kids playing tackle is coaches(dads) who have no clue how to teach proper tackling. Too many dads, even after going through what I believe now are mandatory learning sessions in most/all youth sports leagues struggle to put it into use.

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Exactly. They just don't know.

Guys, if you don't have CTE you have never been hit by Ronnie G.

Urban Country Boy said:

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Mayor West said:

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If you're in an area that has it…lacrosse

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I would have been much better if I could have carried a stick into the backfield.

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Post of the year!

Urban Country Boy said:

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12thMan9 said:

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Sparkie said:

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There was a show on CTE that tracked youth and high-school football players. Players had MRIs before and after the season. During practices, their helmets had electronics to measure impact and acceleration.

The show found that youth players lack neck strength and suffered head accelerations equal to or greater than high-school players. Based on the data I know today, I would not encourage my kids not play football. Just my opinion.

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Well if they had found different it would not have been a show on CTE, would it?

The biggest challenge in young kids playing tackle is coaches(dads) who have no clue how to teach proper tackling. Too many dads, even after going through what I believe now are mandatory learning sessions in most/all youth sports leagues struggle to put it into use.

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Exactly. They just don't know.

Guys, if you don't have CTE you have never been hit by Ronnie G.

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Okay, who are you?

I still remember my three biggest head knockers::

1. 1st practice for '86 Cotton Bowl after finals. We were the rush team for Punt Coverage. The punt protector was Darrel Austin, a DB. Not big, but solid. We had a nice meeting. I was told I rolled around & was laughing. They told me to go take a knee. The next thing I remember it was period 5 of practice. Head trainer came up & asked if I was okay. I said Kap, which side of the field do we come in in from the locker room? He took me to the locker room.

2. '86 Cotton Bowl, I got to meet Brent Fullwood, head on. Got up off the turf, trotted to the bench & sat down to collect my thoughts.

3. 80's game of the decade, BU '86. Busted the wedge, caused a fumble. Got up seeing gold stars, was running off the field to the bench, my equilibrium was not quite square, did a header right into the midfield logo. Got my snap eventually, made the next tackle on the kickoff.

I am of the belief that the equipment hasn't kept up with the advances in human development. Kids are bigger, stronger, faster. Yet, pads are smaller. Helmet makers, the few left, have just about run out of ideas to improve.

But I still contend proper techniques that are taught correctly can reduce some of the fears that parents have these days.

If your kids play sports at a high level they are going to get injured at some point. And they will play a lot if they are good. Thus, they will get injured more. It's just part of sports. It doesn't matter what sport. All sports will have injuries. My son played football a ton but actually got a concussions from baseball and flag football. And my daughter had the worst concussion of all from soccer.

Anyway, if you are concerned about injuries where it actually pushes you from alloying your kids to play sports so be it.

There was only one area I was actually concerned with my son. I never pushed him to pitch bc of arm issues associated with that position. He did pitch a little but nothing that was ever a concern.

We switched from flag football to tackle football when my son was 9. Flag football was way rougher as far as concussions went. He never got one but it was a rough sport so we decided it would be better to have full gear on.

After watching all of my kids play for baseball/softball teams where you play to pay, and watching them recruit players who could not afford it but were immensely talented, my answer would be to let them come to you.

And, if they don't, then let them enjoy playing little league or whatever and focus on them enjoying the game and learning how to be a good teammate.

Football is the best. Texas A&M football is the best thing ever.

It may not be for everyone. I might just keep my nephew driving the golf cart for me.

Biggest Football Hits Ever

Not sure if links are allowed.

Edit: They have done MRIs on my brain. They found nothing.