Football can be dangerous, and
attention has focused in recent years on the head
injuries that can result from playing the contact sport. Much
of the discussion revolves around the risks voluntarily assumed by
the paid adult professionals of the National Football League, but
some politicians say the danger is excessive for young players—so
excessive that families should not even be allowed to decide for
themselves whether the game is worthwhile. New York Assemblyman
Michael Benedetto wants to flat-out make it illegal for anybody
under the age of 14 to play tackle football. In a world that will
never be risk-free, and where all choices involve trade-offs, it’s
a hell of a presumption that would substitute the preferences of
politicians for those of children and parents.
Benedetto started riding this particular hobbyhorse at least
four years ago, when
he said:
I am a big sports fan, and I strongly support sports related
programs for our youth. However, I believe that we must set firm
guidelines to deal with concussions. Oftentimes the athletes’ are
not aware of the seriousness of their injuries, are pressured to
return to the field, or feel an obligation to the team to re-enter
the game thus further aggravating an already serious medical
condition.
At that time, Benedetto just wanted to track injuries and
“establish standards for school districts regarding concussions.”
Last year, though, he
introduced his outright ban, which he’s pushing hard now amidst
the heavy pre-Superbowl media focus on football. According to
CBS New York:
Benedetto said he believes the measure could potentially prevent
young kids from getting concussions, which run the risk of causing
brain damage.“Every time they’re hit, or every time they fall to the ground
in a tackle, the brain will spin around in the head, causing
damage,” Benedetto said.
Well, who could object to protecting The Children™?
But football is hardly the only activity that poses physical
risks. As it so happens, my wife, Wendy, and I discussed the risks
of football with our son, Tony, during a lull in the televised
football games yesterday, when he voiced interest in playing.
Wendy, a pediatrician, has treated more than a few juvenile
concussions in her career. We told him that football is dangerous,
and that he should think about it thoroughly and be really
sure he wants to play before taking the risk. Then we can discuss
it.
But we did not say no. We’ve already signed off on Tony
engaging in a contact sport.
Our eight-year-old son is a green belt in Tae
Kwon Do. This past Wednesday, he practiced with nunchucks (yes, I
have seen him clock himself in the head), before tumbling class,
and then an extended session of sparring with six separate
opponents. There were no serious injuries this time, but I’ve seen
him take a punch to the head, fall, get kicked in the ribs, shake
it off, and dive back in.
Yeah, he wears a helmet and a full array of body armor, but so
do linebackers.
Our hesitation about football strikes even me as a bit
arbitrary.
Not every parent would agree with our decision to let Tony learn
a martial art and take the risks that come with it, but it’s a
decision with which we’re comfortable. We think the dangers are
worth the self confidence, discipline, and physical fitness he’s
gained along the way. Other parents likely feel the same about
football.
Everybody has their own comfort level when it comes to balancing
risks and benefits—and a risk-free existence isn’t in the
cards.
Hell, my worst high school injury came while riding my bicycle
to school in the morning. Somebody opened a car door at the wrong
moment. Ouch. I don’t really remember the next few minutes. Damn
that morning commute
Football is dangerous. Maybe it’s too dangerous—for
some people. But it’s worth the risk for others. We all have to
make choices for ourselves, and our families. The fact that some
politicians wouldn’t make the same choices as other people isn’t
surprising. Nor does it give them any special rights over the rest
of us.
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