Why you should let your young kid play tackle football

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

[Anonymous]

My kid played football in HS all four years without ever having played youth football. He never got a concussion and never got an injury that kept him out of a game at all that I can remember. One kid, the QB, did get a concussion during a game once. I believe he's a lawyer now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid played football in HS all four years without ever having played youth football. He never got a concussion and never got an injury that kept him out of a game at all that I can remember. One kid, the QB, did get a concussion during a game once. I believe he's a lawyer now.

Most concussions are never diagnosed. If he played (not just rode the bench) for four years, he probably got a concussion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid played football in HS all four years without ever having played youth football. He never got a concussion and never got an injury that kept him out of a game at all that I can remember. One kid, the QB, did get a concussion during a game once. I believe he's a lawyer now.

Most concussions are never diagnosed. If he played (not just rode the bench) for four years, he probably got a concussion

The point being, so did every soccer and hockey and lacrosse player that played during high school.

So unless you only want to let your kids play ping pong, potential for head injuries is a risk you have to accept

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

This is the perfect example. People hear some crazy anecdote (an adult taking kids to Hooters?) and then quickly get up in arms about the dangers of football.

No, that's the danger of a bad coach (if the story is even true).

And especially, after the last 2 decades, the focus on safety in youth football is crazy. Not just in equipment, but in the enforcement of proper tackling techniques.

I think, as these safety trends continue, coupled with the same scrutiny as other sports, we'll see that modern day youth tackle football is only marginally more dangerous than other youth sports.

In fact, that JAMA article above already highlighted that trend.

Now, D1 and Pro football is a whole different situation, with 350lb men hitting each other. But youth? I just don't think the risk is high enough to warrant denying the experience to a kid

Hogwash. Youth programs are generally run by steroid dosing dads who want kids to be tough and ready to take out other players. There were so many injuries on the youth team my kid was on I was glad he stopped after a couple of seasons. The kids on the teams tended to be the worst behaved kids at school. Most of them were washouts in high school and most have skipped college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid played football in HS all four years without ever having played youth football. He never got a concussion and never got an injury that kept him out of a game at all that I can remember. One kid, the QB, did get a concussion during a game once. I believe he's a lawyer now.

Most concussions are never diagnosed. If he played (not just rode the bench) for four years, he probably got a concussion

I’m a coach, and this is definitely not true in our district. There is a huge amount of training around concussion protocols and testing, and it’s enforced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid played football in HS all four years without ever having played youth football. He never got a concussion and never got an injury that kept him out of a game at all that I can remember. One kid, the QB, did get a concussion during a game once. I believe he's a lawyer now.

Most concussions are never diagnosed. If he played (not just rode the bench) for four years, he probably got a concussion

I’m a coach, and this is definitely not true in our district. There is a huge amount of training around concussion protocols and testing, and it’s enforced.

Yes. This is correct.

and the other PP above who started their post with 'hogwash' perfectly exemplifies the football haters out there. This isn't the 1980s. Most football coaches emphasize safety over all else.

They are not "washed out" dads strung up on steriods.

This is exactly what I mean when people hide behind the "safety" reason when in fact they just don't like the sport for some reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

Okay. That’s nice to know. The point was that coaches in Vienna are not regularly organizing team events at Hooters. I’m am sure my son and his friends would have been talking about it if they were placed on the team who had the family potlucks while the other teams were going there. Maybe this was one team, many years ago but I have not heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. Absolutely never. Football in schools won't even be a thing in 20 years. Don't do this to your child's brain and future. What a terrible thing to do. There are so many other sports to choose from that don't cause brain damage and future suicides and violent tendencies.

Seriously. The NFL should be illegal.

Seriously?? The NFL will NEVER be illegal.

It should be, though. Check out images of the brains of former football players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

Okay. That’s nice to know. The point was that coaches in Vienna are not regularly organizing team events at Hooters. I’m am sure my son and his friends would have been talking about it if they were placed on the team who had the family potlucks while the other teams were going there. Maybe this was one team, many years ago but I have not heard of it.

Oh I remember this team, some of the neighborhood kids were on it. The moms didn’t like it but they didn’t want to move their kids from a winning team over Hooters. I think the coach was a local dentist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a elementary or junior high son who really wants to try tackle football, let him or her. Even, and especially, if they are small. Find a youth program that matches kids by size, not age. That way, they will play only against kids their own size. Tackling at that age isn't intense; the kids just aren't that fast or strong. If you wait until kids are "bigger" or in high school, they will have to play against kids of all sizes and the risk of injury increases immensely, if they ever see playing time.

If you don't let your kid play tackle football when they are young, they may never get a chance to play at all.

So what? Most people don't give a shit about football. My kid would much rather play soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

Okay. That’s nice to know. The point was that coaches in Vienna are not regularly organizing team events at Hooters. I’m am sure my son and his friends would have been talking about it if they were placed on the team who had the family potlucks while the other teams were going there. Maybe this was one team, many years ago but I have not heard of it.

Oh I remember this team, some of the neighborhood kids were on it. The moms didn’t like it but they didn’t want to move their kids from a winning team over Hooters. I think the coach was a local dentist.

Then why didn’t they skip Hooters? Along with the potluck tailgates, our teams sometimes met up at the Vienna Inn. We couldn’t always attend for various reasons. It was never an issue to not go to a restaurant with the team after a game. It’s common for families to need to get to somewhere else and there’s never a time when the whole team can be there.

All this thread is doing is making me want Hooters wings. I tried them about 30 years ago and they really were good, if they are the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

Okay. That’s nice to know. The point was that coaches in Vienna are not regularly organizing team events at Hooters. I’m am sure my son and his friends would have been talking about it if they were placed on the team who had the family potlucks while the other teams were going there. Maybe this was one team, many years ago but I have not heard of it.

Oh I remember this team, some of the neighborhood kids were on it. The moms didn’t like it but they didn’t want to move their kids from a winning team over Hooters. I think the coach was a local dentist.

Then why didn’t they skip Hooters? Along with the potluck tailgates, our teams sometimes met up at the Vienna Inn. We couldn’t always attend for various reasons. It was never an issue to not go to a restaurant with the team after a game. It’s common for families to need to get to somewhere else and there’s never a time when the whole team can be there.

All this thread is doing is making me want Hooters wings. I tried them about 30 years ago and they really were good, if they are the same.

You're not helping OP at all. You're just re-enforcing the idea most people have that football has an antiquated culture that includes oggling women and treating them like objects. Cheerleaders and date rape come to mind. OP is trying to convince us that that is simply a stereotype about football, yet here you are saying, taking boys to Hooters after a game is no big deal. They're only in it for the wings. Sure and we only buy sex magazines for the articles. Right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

Okay. That’s nice to know. The point was that coaches in Vienna are not regularly organizing team events at Hooters. I’m am sure my son and his friends would have been talking about it if they were placed on the team who had the family potlucks while the other teams were going there. Maybe this was one team, many years ago but I have not heard of it.

Oh I remember this team, some of the neighborhood kids were on it. The moms didn’t like it but they didn’t want to move their kids from a winning team over Hooters. I think the coach was a local dentist.

Then why didn’t they skip Hooters? Along with the potluck tailgates, our teams sometimes met up at the Vienna Inn. We couldn’t always attend for various reasons. It was never an issue to not go to a restaurant with the team after a game. It’s common for families to need to get to somewhere else and there’s never a time when the whole team can be there.

All this thread is doing is making me want Hooters wings. I tried them about 30 years ago and they really were good, if they are the same.

You're not helping OP at all. You're just re-enforcing the idea most people have that football has an antiquated culture that includes oggling women and treating them like objects. Cheerleaders and date rape come to mind. OP is trying to convince us that that is simply a stereotype about football, yet here you are saying, taking boys to Hooters after a game is no big deal. They're only in it for the wings. Sure and we only buy sex magazines for the articles. Right.

I didn’t say that at all. I was making a bad joke that I was remembering how good the wings were. I am an almost 50 yo women and I don’t like to watch football, except when my kids play because they love it. I’m far from your stereotype. As a mom who has been through the youth and HS football scene, I was saying the parents didn’t need to take the kids if they didn’t want to go. It doesn’t matter if the team is meeting there. That’s on the parents. No one goes to every team get together and they could have skipped Hooters. That was my point. My entire family attended the team social events. We certainly would not have gone to Hooters. It wouldn’t have been appropriate and it wouldn’t have even been close since most games were in Vienna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin played tackle football in the Vienna area. It think the league was called Pop something. I had honestly never thought about the risk of CTE in kids sports since I didn’t have kids yet. The kids seemed to be having fun, but the injuries were common. My dad coached my brother’s soccer team so I had that comparison point.

The most disturbing part was that the coach regularly took the boys to Hooters after games.

This is really funny, to any of us who have had sons go through the Vienna program. VYI is one of the most impressive programs around when it comes to strict safety protocols. I’m not sure when this was or what team you are referring to, but I never saw a lot of injuries in any of our years. As for Hooters, where is the Hooters in this area? That’s a first. I laughed out loud at that one. If it was true, what’s wrong with the parents for driving them there?

During my son’s last year in 8th grade, he would have loved it if a coach suggested that. Nothing similar ever happened. There were some potluck tailgates after practice organized by parents but that’s about it.

Check out VYI and look at their safety protocols yourself if you live in the area.

The Hooters is on Rte 50 in Fairfax near 123 and it's been there for many years.

Okay. That’s nice to know. The point was that coaches in Vienna are not regularly organizing team events at Hooters. I’m am sure my son and his friends would have been talking about it if they were placed on the team who had the family potlucks while the other teams were going there. Maybe this was one team, many years ago but I have not heard of it.

Oh I remember this team, some of the neighborhood kids were on it. The moms didn’t like it but they didn’t want to move their kids from a winning team over Hooters. I think the coach was a local dentist.

Then why didn’t they skip Hooters? Along with the potluck tailgates, our teams sometimes met up at the Vienna Inn. We couldn’t always attend for various reasons. It was never an issue to not go to a restaurant with the team after a game. It’s common for families to need to get to somewhere else and there’s never a time when the whole team can be there.

All this thread is doing is making me want Hooters wings. I tried them about 30 years ago and they really were good, if they are the same.

You're not helping OP at all. You're just re-enforcing the idea most people have that football has an antiquated culture that includes oggling women and treating them like objects. Cheerleaders and date rape come to mind. OP is trying to convince us that that is simply a stereotype about football, yet here you are saying, taking boys to Hooters after a game is no big deal. They're only in it for the wings. Sure and we only buy sex magazines for the articles. Right.

I didn’t say that at all. I was making a bad joke that I was remembering how good the wings were. I am an almost 50 yo women and I don’t like to watch football, except when my kids play because they love it. I’m far from your stereotype. As a mom who has been through the youth and HS football scene, I was saying the parents didn’t need to take the kids if they didn’t want to go. It doesn’t matter if the team is meeting there. That’s on the parents. No one goes to every team get together and they could have skipped Hooters. That was my point. My entire family attended the team social events. We certainly would not have gone to Hooters. It wouldn’t have been appropriate and it wouldn’t have even been close since most games were in Vienna.

We've been involved in a lot of different sports and never, ever has anyone suggested the team meet at a Hooters. Are you kidding me?