I grew up with football -- our high school team was state champs and I went to a college with a MAJOR football program. My state was all about football. At a certain point, I don't think I would stop my son from playing (if he was in high school and just adamant about playing), but I would actively discourage it and encourage other sports instead.

I will CERTAINLY not be starting him him in pee wee or anything like that, though that is what boys where I grew up did -- start em young, raise em right. Love sports, and they are valuable in do many ways but football is just too risky.

It's a tough call, if it was 10 years ago we would all not be so sensitive to the risks of football or any contact sport but there's mounting evidence of how dangerous football can be. Yet it would be hard to deny your child playing football if he likes it. But for me, safety comes first.

My son is 4 (almost 5) and is obsessed. With all sports, but definitely football. We have him in soccer and baseball, but he still loves football and wants to toss and catch the ball, and can throw a perfect spiral. Sigh.

My husband is football obsessed too and wants him to at least explore it. We live in the city and see flyers for flag football starting at 5.

My son is also slight and small for his age. DH and my brother were undersized kids until their growth spurts hit late, in college. DS seems to be coordinated and developing skills at a young age.

Initially I said let's have him play soccer and if he wants, he can kick in football. I've discussed football injuries at length with DH, but I think I'm on the losing end of the argument. I would be willing to concede to try flag football and see how it goes. If he continues to play all 3 sports for a while, and is exposed to other sports too (golf and tennis!), maybe we'll be able to divert from football, particularly if his stays small - baseball might be our best bet. This is a tough one. I went to a top ten ranked football school and I love it. But, no, i don't want my son to play. I may not be able to stop it, but genetics might.

No my son has a VP Shunt and can't play. Even if he didn't we would not recommend that he play.

Anonymous wrote:Since today is the first Sunday of the new NFL season, I was curious if the news regarding concussions over the last few years in regards to football has affected your decision to let your sons play the game. Especially in a time where ex-players/parents of current players have been coming out and saying they would not let their sons play football if they knew of the risks like they do now.

Thoughts?

I personally would not and would steer them towards playing baseball (I know there are risks there as well, but not constant hammering of helmets).

Only if they banned helmets. That would make the game a lot safer.

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who will prohibit football, will you similarly prohibit your DC from the hazards of cheerleading?

I doubt there's a lot of overlap between kids who want to play football and those who want to cheer.

You are all crazy. My Son has played hockey for the past 15 years, his choice. He is now a junior in college and plays on a competitive club team.

Yes, there are some injuries when 200lb skaters hit each other but not that frequent. Yes, he does hit the gym 5x week and the ice 3-5x week and yes the equipment is expensive.

But he loves it and will wind up some day coaching kids once he gets done playing. Unless he winds up working in a few select cities like Boston, most adult hockey is non-contact, so this is his last hurrah. His team is alike a family, not sure yor get the same out of swimming or fencing.

For those of you who will prohibit football, will you similarly prohibit your DC from the hazards of cheerleading?

No fun allowed! We played pickup football in the streets, and, of course, street hockey as boys. We were so awesome, not like all the little pussies parents are raising these days!

Oh, and we had fist fights too!

Absolutely not. There are two sports which I won't ever allow my child to play: hockey and American football. Since he loves sports so much, he's doing a ton of swimming and baseball. That should keep him occupied.

No - I also discourage them from running full speed into brick walls as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. My son is enormous for his age and I come from a big college football school. I reeeally hope he doesn't want to play!

Fencing, maybe?

+1 I fenced for a varsity team in college and loved it! The sport is high impact, so training on a forgiving surface is a must, but I really never saw any bad injuries. As an added bonus, the big powerhouse teams are ivies or other top schools, so it can help give you that "hook". If your DS is a big guy I would recommend Epee over foil or sabre

My son also fences. I thought I was paying a small fortune in gear till I heard what the lax parents paid for gear! Fencing really isn't as expensive as one might think. I don't worry about head injuries, but he's always got black and blue marks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually horseback riding, cheerleading and gymnastics are more dangerous than football.

And my kids won't do any of those things, either.

How about playing cards? You know those can cause nasty paper cuts.

Anonymous wrote:Nope. My son is enormous for his age and I come from a big college football school. I reeeally hope he doesn't want to play!

Fencing, maybe?

+1 I fenced for a varsity team in college and loved it! The sport is high impact, so training on a forgiving surface is a must, but I really never saw any bad injuries. As an added bonus, the big powerhouse teams are ivies or other top schools, so it can help give you that "hook". If your DS is a big guy I would recommend Epee over foil or sabre

We waited til 8th grade. He loves it but I'm hoping the novelty wears off soon.