Should Parents Let Their Children Play Football?

When it comes to parenting and football I believe that parents need to be responsible for their child’s wellbeing. I thought Kim Gorgen’s talk about head injuries was very insightful. If I were a parent watching her video, I would surely have second thoughts about my child playing any kind of contact sports. On the other hand, I have to wonder if all parents go to the extreme of not letting their children play football. Would the NFL even exist in 20 years? In the future would there be only no-contact sports because parents refused to let their children participate in football, basketball, baseball, or soccer. The question becomes if parents allow their children to play football are they enabling them to become seriously hurt. Or if they …show more content…
When it comes to adolescents and playing football one researcher suggested “That athletes will benefit most from being aware about the U.S National Football League concussion litigation. He believes that the reported settlement between the NFL and retired players validates concerns about the dangers of head injuries in football and other contact sports” (Friedrichs 2013). I believe that when it comes to any kind of contact sports that there is a risk that comes the game. Football, in America, is known for its roughness and many times players are being walked or wheeled off the field due to injuries. Troy Aikman, who has been known to have suffered many concussions in his 12-year football career and walked and retired without any long-term head injuries. “My belief is that when you decide to play football—just like those who choose to be firemen or policemen—you are also accepting the inherent risks involved with the profession. You may break some bones. You may tear up your knee. And you may suffer head injuries” (Aikman