Say No To Football

It was crisp and clear autumn Saturday in my home town. I was just starting my senior year in high-school. The foliage was vibrant, the fragrance was earthy, and a thrill infused the air as high-school students anticipated the football game that afternoon. Parents were awaiting the proud time to watch their sons out on the field fulfill their high school dreams. I, as well, have always loved football games and so I was eager for the kickoff. What a better way to spend your Saturday than to spend time with friends, support your school, dress up in all your trendy school gear and have a reason post on social media (not to mention all the popcorn, donuts and other fun treats)? It’s no wonder that football is such a popular attraction.

Finally, it was time! Not long into the game I was having a great time surrounded by high-spirited students, following all the cheers and trying to stay warm. Parents were really the only ones who payed attention to the game. My friends and I were more focused on being able to get some pictures with good lighting with the game in the background. Just before half-time and amidst all the excitement there was a pause in the game because a player was injured and laying on the field. I had been needing to use the restroom (probably from all the hot chocolate I had been drinking) and saw this as a perfect opportunity to slip away until the trainers could assist him off the field. I asked my friend to save my spot and was able to hurry back just as the game resumed.

The game continued, and we won. I think. I don’t actually remember. It was just another football game to me and just another football game to the other thousands of fans and players there that day. However, what we fail to recognize is what a life-defining night it was for that injured player who was taken off the field. What we fail to think about is the regret and guilt his parents felt for encouraging him to try out. What we fail to notice is the duty this player continued to feel to get back out and play by next game despite the symptoms he was having. This player (who is not unique in the game of football) got a concussion and now his life would never be the same.

This weekend should sound familiar to you. Even if you personally don’t go to football games every weekend, you can recognize the high focus society places on it. Furthermore, just try to think the people who are fanatics; think of all the stadiums across the United States that are crammed with fans and football players every weekend. Despite all of this, we must come to terms that there is a high risk in football. There is a disturbing amount of support towards a a sport with such high life-altering risk.

It is not widely known or published that, “Football players suffer more concussions than athletes in any other high school sport”. This is an alarming statistic that we cannot just overlook or hide under the table. We must approach it and keep in mind what is really best for public health and morality. Even the small injuries are dangerous as they add up, so those that go through their career without a huge concussion are still in the line of fire. Kolsterman, a researcher of concussions says, “It is suspected (and widely reported) that every head-to-head collision generates imperceptible ‘’sub-concussions,’’ slowly damaging the brain without the victim suffering the symptoms of an acute trauma. This means many players are being injured on almost every play they are involved with (in every single game and in every full-contact practice).” With this knowledge, how can we morally support this in the lives of high school football players?

Fast forward 30 years. It was crisp and clear autumn Saturday in my home town. There were activities and football games as usual and my kids were out and about with their friends. The leaves where falling in slow motion around me and there was a chilling breeze piercing my skin that made me pick up my pace. The blue sky had a gray undertone and seemed to set in a little lower than usual. I was on my way to visit my neighbor and drop off some fresh-baked cookies. Their teenage boy had got a concussion a few weeks ago in a football game. His mother was worried sick, and I felt sympathy for her. He had been sitting in a dark room ever since the game in order to recover and I imagine was lonely and disheartened.

I talked with him a little bit but couldn’t stay long because he was sleepy from not being able to have a full night’s sleep. He seemed depressed. He just talked about how he wanted to get back out there. It was a shame especially because he was a hard worker in school and had big dreams for the future. His family was a big football family and his father told me hoping he would be able to get back out and playing by next week’s game. His mother felt awful about the whole situation.

As I left I felt gloomy inside and I left with a pit in my stomach. It didn’t seem right. Something about it didn’t seem moral. It didn’t feel right to let my kids go to the game tonight. What if another kid got a concussion?

I walked home slower as I reflected about all the football games I had been to in my life. I had never thought twice about the intense injuries that take place. I looked at my feet crunch the leaves in my tracks.

It was a day I will never forget.

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