TJ football - okay to play or not

[Anonymous]

DS goes to TJ and played football as freshman. We were not very happy about it given all the research on CTE and long lasting damage. I have told him no more football next year and while he isn't happy, he will comply with it. On the other hand there are some benefits, he made friends including some upperclassmen which is helping him out in getting through school. He also improved physical ability and developed an excercise routine, good healthy eating habits, and mentally stronger. I attribute many of this to football. If the question come up before next season, which I know it will, should we re-consider letting him play another season given TJ football is not same as other HS. There is chance for injurty but the teams they play are not very heavy.

[Anonymous]

My DS played football for TJ all four years there and it's my big, sole regret about his time there. Stick by your guns and do not let your DS play if at all possible. Mine had multiple concussions and another scary injury. He also played a lot in the games, so that upped his risk. He and his dad both insisted that he play, but I should have been more vocal and persistent in my opposition.

I don't know if the same coach is there as when my son played; if they haven't had a turnover in the past few years, it's probably the same staff. I don't think the coach did enough to protect individual players and was not impressed. The benefits you enumerate can be gained by your son participating in other sports as well. My $.02

[Anonymous]

Just say no.

Honestly, I can't believe any parent allows their kid to play football, with all we know about concussions and CTE.

[Anonymous]

Have your son consider rowing at TJ - it's a great program.

[Anonymous]

It really is a shame we haven't come up with a substitute for all the good things about football.

But, since we have not, I would still say "no".

Football really is in a class by itself regarding injury and long-term damage. Pick any other sport.

[Anonymous]

Heck to the no. TJ parent of a marching band kid here, so I actually watch the games. Even in the new conference, TJ kids are usually much smaller than their opponents, and are getting hit— hard— play after play. With the research on CTE, I do not understand parents who have kids smart enough to go to TJ and are willing to risk their brains. For a sport TJ kid will never be good enough at to play at the college level. I’m big on being non-judgementL and “you do you” at atJ, but I think less of parents who lets their kids play football. Bad parenting

There are quite a few no cut sports at TJ. PP mention crew, which is great and takes newbies. Try a different sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really is a shame we haven't come up with a substitute for all the good things about football.

But, since we have not, I would still say "no".

Football really is in a class by itself regarding injury and long-term damage. Pick any other sport.

Agree. Hell no.

[Anonymous]

Having just watched concussion and done some reading on CTE in football players, no football. And it pains me to say it as I was a HUGE football fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having just watched concussion and done some reading on CTE in football players, no football. And it pains me to say it as I was a HUGE football fan.

I still am a huge football fan and my boys will never play- not even flag, because I don;t want to have to say no to them when it comes time to put pads on. I would be content if this meant that that the sport died out in a generation or 2 (it won't because for many the rewards outweigh the risks), I'd miss the memories of football Sundays and all that but the older I get the less comfy I get with watching this level of injury- even though they are perfectly capable of choosing not to play as grown men, still .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having just watched concussion and done some reading on CTE in football players, no football. And it pains me to say it as I was a HUGE football fan.

I still am a huge football fan and my boys will never play- not even flag, because I don;t want to have to say no to them when it comes time to put pads on. I would be content if this meant that that the sport died out in a generation or 2 (it won't because for many the rewards outweigh the risks), I'd miss the memories of football Sundays and all that but the older I get the less comfy I get with watching this level of injury- even though they are perfectly capable of choosing not to play as grown men, still .

So you won't let them play flag because it will make it harder to say "no" later? That's like the old Baptist joke about not doing something because it might lead to dancing.

Flag football was one of the most joyful rec experiences my son ever had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heck to the no. TJ parent of a marching band kid here, so I actually watch the games. Even in the new conference, TJ kids are usually much smaller than their opponents, and are getting hit— hard— play after play. With the research on CTE, I do not understand parents who have kids smart enough to go to TJ and are willing to risk their brains. For a sport TJ kid will never be good enough at to play at the college level. I’m big on being non-judgementL and “you do you” at atJ, but I think less of parents who lets their kids play football. Bad parenting

There are quite a few no cut sports at TJ. PP mention crew, which is great and takes newbies. Try a different sport.

+1.

Schools like TJ, Langley and Mclean should cancel football program altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heck to the no. TJ parent of a marching band kid here, so I actually watch the games. Even in the new conference, TJ kids are usually much smaller than their opponents, and are getting hit— hard— play after play. With the research on CTE, I do not understand parents who have kids smart enough to go to TJ and are willing to risk their brains. For a sport TJ kid will never be good enough at to play at the college level. I’m big on being non-judgementL and “you do you” at atJ, but I think less of parents who lets their kids play football. Bad parenting

There are quite a few no cut sports at TJ. PP mention crew, which is great and takes newbies. Try a different sport.

+1.

Schools like TJ, Langley and Mclean should cancel football program altogether.

TJ parent here. I am not judging whether your kids get an A or a B or even a C in a class, take AB vs BC Calc or get into WM vs Yale. All kids are different and end up on the right path for them.

But football on a team that regularly gives up 30-40 pounds per player? And is terrible? Knowing what we know about TBIs and CTE? If you let your kid play foootball at TJ, you better believe I am judging you you to be a terrible parent. Football is risky enough for brain injuries. Football at TJ with the size difference, and the kids who will make a living using higher level thinking skills? Kids who can literally do anything academically, but could have dementia at 35? WTF are these parents thinking? Act like a parent, do what’s best for your kid, even if it pisses them off, and say no to football.

And I agree. TJ football already plays in a independent conference, rather than in an FCPS conference, because the size difference makes conference football too dangerous (TJ football is a bunch of 110 pound Asian kids). Time to disband football at TJ. The marching band still competeds 5-6 times a year. They don’t need the halftime shows too.

— TJ parent who is shocked TJ still fields a football team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heck to the no. TJ parent of a marching band kid here, so I actually watch the games. Even in the new conference, TJ kids are usually much smaller than their opponents, and are getting hit— hard— play after play. With the research on CTE, I do not understand parents who have kids smart enough to go to TJ and are willing to risk their brains. For a sport TJ kid will never be good enough at to play at the college level. I’m big on being non-judgementL and “you do you” at atJ, but I think less of parents who lets their kids play football. Bad parenting

There are quite a few no cut sports at TJ. PP mention crew, which is great and takes newbies. Try a different sport.

+1.

Schools like TJ, Langley and Mclean should cancel football program altogether.

Right.
Have to protect those upper class elitist brains.

[Anonymous]

The data is getting worse... latest data shows just the repeated blows, not even concussions that matter:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/01/18/a-new-study-shows-that-hits-to-the-head-not-concussions-cause-cte

Even players who never got a concussion are getting it.
Big time for linemen -- who get hit on every snap. The less you get hit in the head, the better. So receivers, not so bad... kicker is even better.

But yeah, my kids won't be playing... it is a dying sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The data is getting worse... latest data shows just the repeated blows, not even concussions that matter:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/01/18/a-new-study-shows-that-hits-to-the-head-not-concussions-cause-cte

Even players who never got a concussion are getting it.
Big time for linemen -- who get hit on every snap. The less you get hit in the head, the better. So receivers, not so bad... kicker is even better.

But yeah, my kids won't be playing... it is a dying sport.

a couple of simple rule changes, at least at HS level and below, could reduce majority of hits. it'll make the game less 'bloody' but safer for kids.

pros can continue to do whatever they signed up to do for the money.