4 ms·

My worry isn't so much for the ones who make it into the NFL and get paid millions with a pension afterward. My worry is for the 8 year old kids playing footbal

by grhino 14y ago

My worry isn't so much for the ones who make it into the NFL and get paid millions with a pension afterward. My worry is for the 8 year old kids playing football and emulating the professional players. My worry is for the ones who almost make it into the NFL, and will suffer physical problems without the NFL benefits.

ndonnellan 14y ago
This. How about in college? Or High-school? Or earlier? When the brain is supposed to be developing at it's fastest pace. I presume most kids know that the odds of making money in football are tiny. I would wager none of them knows the trade-off is brain damage. Regardless of whether they make it.
- grhino 14y ago
  Many kids make the decision to play a sport because they implicitly trust their parents and other elders to keep them safe. I think the article is too optimistic by implying that a change of equipment can shed the problem. I doubt the human head is adapted to handle violence regularly and consistently.
wallawe 14y ago
These kids and their parents have a choice, knowing the dangers more than ever in present day. I have suffered 8 concussions, 3 football related, and if I could I would go back and do it all over again. Who are you (i.e. anyone) to decide for these people (the hoards who love to play and the hoards that love to watch) whether or not it is socially acceptable? It is an individual choice. edit: didn't mean to single you out specifically.
- grhino 14y ago
  Worrying about somebody's safety does not mean I want to take away their freedom. I want people to make an informed choice. I also recognize that we often use information to rationalize decisions we make largely because of our surrounding culture. I have two uncles who played NFL football and their lives have been enriched greatly by their careers. They may have been lucky to not suffer any CTE. One had a 1 season career because of knee injury and the other's 5 year career as DB and special teams doesn't seem to have caused him any chronic health problems.

by grhino 14y ago

ndonnellan 14y ago

This. How about in college? Or High-school? Or earlier? When the brain is supposed to be developing at it's fastest pace. I presume most kids know that the odds of making money in football are tiny. I would wager none of them knows the trade-off is brain damage. Regardless of whether they make it.

grhino 14y ago
Many kids make the decision to play a sport because they implicitly trust their parents and other elders to keep them safe. I think the article is too optimistic by implying that a change of equipment can shed the problem. I doubt the human head is adapted to handle violence regularly and consistently.

wallawe 14y ago

These kids and their parents have a choice, knowing the dangers more than ever in present day. I have suffered 8 concussions, 3 football related, and if I could I would go back and do it all over again. Who are you (i.e. anyone) to decide for these people (the hoards who love to play and the hoards that love to watch) whether or not it is socially acceptable? It is an individual choice. edit: didn't mean to single you out specifically.

grhino 14y ago
Worrying about somebody's safety does not mean I want to take away their freedom. I want people to make an informed choice. I also recognize that we often use information to rationalize decisions we make largely because of our surrounding culture. I have two uncles who played NFL football and their lives have been enriched greatly by their careers. They may have been lucky to not suffer any CTE. One had a 1 season career because of knee injury and the other's 5 year career as DB and special teams doesn't seem to have caused him any chronic health problems.