H is in a related field, and thinks that within 20-25 years, the NFL, and the affiliated feeder programs (pee-wee, college ball, etc) will likely cease to exist. Not because team owners and NCAA directors will decide that they actually care about the players (we all know they don't give a shit as long as they keep playing and keep their mouths shut), but because the evidence will be so strong that parents will stop putting their kids in it, and players already in the system will sue the shit out of the entire organization for long term care/treatment/forcing them to play through "hard hits" and injury.
I'm working on getting a local HS built in our area but due to budget issues the school district is offering a magnet/non-sports school and people are losing their ever loving shit over the potential of not having football to "round out their kids" or "get them into college." We produced an anonymous survey and some of the comments are mind boggling. They don't care about the potential injury, just that Jr. gets the chance to throw the pigskin around.
I went to a magnet HS - no sports at all. Not even a 'proper' gym. Our gym class consisted of aerobics videos and weight machines in a dance studio. Volleyball outside if it was nice. I turned out ok. The school was focused around the arts (performing and visual) and humanities, and frankly, our alumni are killing it. Amazingly well rounded humans, lots of my classmates (not even necessarily my close friends) have Ph.D's, in sciences, engineering, are doctors, lawyers, professors, heads of start-ups (and making bank), etc. Tell these people that you don't need sports to succeed in life.
Anecdote time: at least one high school in my area no longer has a JV football program because so many parents are refusing to let their kids play. I'm not confident about the NFL going away in the next quarter century, but there are dents being made nationwide right now.
My husband's hometown had to drop down to 8 man due to lack of interest. The school district's enrollment numbers aren't down, just for football.
However, club soccer teams are on the rise.
This is in rural Nebraska.
I could be totally misinformed here, but I thought I read that there were strong possibilities based on some studies that other sports, like soccer, might carry a risk of CTE because of headers.
My youngest just started soccer, and headers are no longer allowed.
I could be totally misinformed here, but I thought I read that there were strong possibilities based on some studies that other sports, like soccer, might carry a risk of CTE because of headers.
My comment was speaking more about the decline of American football than CTE.
I know. But it did make me wonder, given the risks in many other sports, if we'll end up seeing a decline overall. But who knows, since I think any real data is years away.
My husband's hometown had to drop down to 8 man due to lack of interest. The school district's enrollment numbers aren't down, just for football.
However, club soccer teams are on the rise.
This is in rural Nebraska.
I could be totally misinformed here, but I thought I read that there were strong possibilities based on some studies that other sports, like soccer, might carry a risk of CTE because of headers.
Yes, concussions are also rather prevalent in soccer.
H is in a related field, and thinks that within 20-25 years, the NFL, and the affiliated feeder programs (pee-wee, college ball, etc) will likely cease to exist. Not because team owners and NCAA directors will decide that they actually care about the players (we all know they don't give a shit as long as they keep playing and keep their mouths shut), but because the evidence will be so strong that parents will stop putting their kids in it, and players already in the system will sue the shit out of the entire organization for long term care/treatment/forcing them to play through "hard hits" and injury.
This will never happen. Too many parents have stars in their eyes regarding their kids playing pro. And those parents usually have the mentality of "it won't happen to my kid"
I have seen strong data to suggest that pee wee football numbers are actually way down. There is real conversation about it's ability to survive in it's current form.
There is an interesting racial element to the NFL youth development program that is also..bothersome.
Does anyone know if rugby players are suffering the same fate? Has there been a study on that?
I don't know if there are similar stories and studies on rugby players. While there are head injuries, rugby players don't wear helmets and they are not taught to hit with their head. When I played rugby we were trained to hit with our shoulders and I never sustained a head injury.
That being said I know plenty of ruggers who got concussions and played through them so I'm sure it's an issue. I would assume it's not as bad as football but still there are risks etc.
There was a local article from a high school FB couch. It was your typical red/white/blue merica bullshit where he whined that kids are lazy these day, and no one is going out for football, and kids don't know what hard work is etc etc etc. The sport is going to be dead in 20 years etc.
LOL oorrrr kids/parents are realizing the impact and are like "hey maybe try cross country instead Bobby."
Yeah- I don't see football going away in the next 25 years. Facts? Look at who our president is and what people believe/don't believe. If people love football and don't want it to go away, they'll convienently not believe these stories about the danger of it.
Yeah- I don't see football going away in the next 25 years. Facts? Look at who our president is and what people believe/don't believe. If people love football and don't want it to go away, they'll convienently not believe these stories about the danger of it.
Like many thing, I predict this will also become something that become regionalized as America starts to majorly fracture along educational and political lines.
Those who value scientific evidence will seek out alternative activities for their kids, and football will still exist but more likely only in certain areas.
Have I told you guys about my friend who has a son that was hit too hard playing Football when he was 12?
I don't think so or I can't remember. Either way, please share.
I want to start posting these articles all over the place. I know so many people who are still watching football and don't care about the Kaepernick issue (my H included SMH), but they are freaking killing disproportionately black kids with this shit. How can you not care?
I know severel people who let their kids play peewee football. I'm truly scared for them.
DH played football for several years. He was known for taking and giving hits. I absolutely believe some of his issues are linked to the many concussions they made him play through. He finally told me last year that as much as he loves the sport, he can't support it anymore and our children will never play. He said he feels like the only thing it did for him is earn him a knee replacement, accompanied with a lifetime of arthritis, and possible brain damage.
Football isn't going anywhere though. I can see the participation dropping, but people are morons.
I could be totally misinformed here, but I thought I read that there were strong possibilities based on some studies that other sports, like soccer, might carry a risk of CTE because of headers.
My youngest just started soccer, and headers are no longer allowed.
In our league, it's allowed once you reach u12. However, most of the girls don't go for headers. I'm guessing they're either too scared (which I'm more than fine with)or they're just used to using other moves since they haven't been allowed to do them until that point.
My youngest just started soccer, and headers are no longer allowed.
In our league, it's allowed once you reach u12. However, most of the girls don't go for headers. I'm guessing they're either too scared (which I'm more than fine with)or they're just used to using other moves since they haven't been allowed to do them until that point.
Is during games too? It is against the US Soccer Federation guidelines to permit heads in games for those 13 or under. I don't know why they just can't ban them flat out. Especially because it isn't like the danger magically goes away at 13 or so?
Post by eponinepontmercy on Sept 22, 2017 7:20:56 GMT -5
My brother never played football, but he played soccer when he was younger and played hockey for years (still plays in adult leagues). He had a number of concussions - he's a goalie so he's not always getting hit, but it's always a possibility. He's not violent, but he has a history of depression and suicidal threats. I feel so helpless about it. All three of us siblings have various degrees of depression and anxiety, but to add the possibility of CTE in there is terrifying.
I have seen a number of newspaper articles about declining participation in football teams. I don't think the sport is going away, but it does seem that there is an increased number of parents not wanting their kids to play.
Post by jeaniebueller on Sept 22, 2017 7:24:27 GMT -5
I can totally see how kids end up with concussions in soccer regularly. My DS is in U10 and he and another kid both have taken hits right to the face during games this season (and obviously that isn't even including headers).
I think society needs to have a real conversation about the value of football. I mean, if grown men want to bump heads into each other that is one thing but given how so much of the damage seems to happen before these guys are adults or before their brains have fully developed and can give informed consent. Its obviously not just about the NFL, the NCAA, high schools across the country, little league, pee wee are all a part of football culture. Its such a huge issue. It will probably never happen, at least not in my lifetime.
Have I told you guys about my friend who has a son that was hit too hard playing Football when he was 12?
I don't think so or I can't remember. Either way, please share.
I want to start posting these articles all over the place. I know so many people who are still watching football and don't care about the Kaepernick issue (my H included SMH), but they are freaking killing disproportionately black kids with this shit. How can you not care?
A friend of mine, who lives in a land locked state in the Southwestern part of the country, posted on Facebook something about her son’s therapy (involving a beach) really helping. I replied “Therapy for what??? What’s going on with your DS1?”.
She PMed me that her DS1(who was 14 at the time of the post) was playing football, when he was 12, and took a late/dirty hit from another child. As a result, he had TERRIBLE headaches. These headaches were so bad (1) He could no longer sleep laying down (2) He had to be pulled out of school for TWO FUCKING YEARS.
She was very upset and understandably so. I offered to choke the life out of the child who caused this. He is now 16 and back in school, I don’t know if he is still having issues. I do not see any more posts from his father about his little brother playing football.
I hope anyone reading this will reconsider putting your child is Football. It’s just not worth it.
My coworkers son (early 20's) committed suicide recently and he is now talking publicly about the dangers of repeated concussions. He didn't play pro or even in college, so the hits don't have to come at a later level.
DS is a "solid" kid and everyone's always said he could be a linebacker. Nope. Never. It took a few years, but the more DH reads about the stuff, the more he's on my side about it.
ETA: I just re-read the news article they published about it and he started playing football in his Junior year of HS. He also played soccer and it sounds like he only had a total of 4 concussions. But the damage took it's toll.
As much as it bothers me to see his name in the news because I can't help but think of Odin Lloyd's family, I do think it's important that this is out and we discuss it (society we). He did not play professionally for very long, so for him to have severe CTE at his age, it's something the NFL needs to act on.
This was my first thought as well. It's a tragedy.
As much as it bothers me to see his name in the news because I can't help but think of Odin Lloyd's family, I do think it's important that this is out and we discuss it (society we). He did not play professionally for very long, so for him to have severe CTE at his age, it's something the NFL needs to act on.
I could be totally misinformed here, but I thought I read that there were strong possibilities based on some studies that other sports, like soccer, might carry a risk of CTE because of headers.
Yes, concussions are also rather prevalent in soccer.
My exH was a semi pro player, lots of concussions in his life from soccer. The more I read on CTE the more I wonder if he has it.
My brother played in middle school and HS. He has had depression and a gambling addiction. He's doing well now. Maybe he would've had those problems anyway, but I'm always going to wonder if the football contributed to it.