Your kids in Football?

[7StraightIsGreat]

Totally agree bro.

And the Seau analogy by the OP means nothing. It's very likely the typical I don't know what to do with my life any more after retirement and am not getting the attention or endorphins I'm used to depression or suicide we see in many pro athletes. If not, and it's more personal, it still is a bad analogy.

If that's the case, why do ex NFL and NHL'ers have a higher suicide rate than that of other athletes? Are NBA and MLB players just not as competitive? Do they not miss the attention and endorphins as much once they retire? Is it just pure luck that the 2 sports who have the most concussions and head injuries also have higher suicide rates?

Now that they've been able to study the brains of ex NFL and NHL players, there's just too much evidence of excess brain damage and dementia to simply dismiss it as guys offing themselves because they miss the game, have gone broke, etc.

 

[gregbroncs]

If that's the case, why do ex NFL and NHL'ers have a higher suicide rate than that of other athletes? Are NBA and MLB players just not as competitive? Do they not miss the attention and endorphins as much once they retire? Is it just pure luck that the 2 sports who have the most concussions and head injuries also have higher suicide rates?

Now that they've been able to study the brains of ex NFL and NHL players, there's just too much evidence of excess brain damage and dementia to simply dismiss it as guys offing themselves because they miss the game, have gone broke, etc.

This is why I mentioned it in the OP. Also why I said make of it what you will. Because it could be argued whether or not it is part of the game. He actually has a good point as well. There are problems with athletes in other sports. It just seems to be more often with football players.

Head injuries are the biggest reason my son will not play football in high school. Pop Warner I may be okay with (I still doubt it though), as the hits are much less dangerous.

 

[Qman]

I am too lazy to look around for the article on football related brain injuries. But the gist of it was some brain injuries cannot be avoided. It is luck of the draw for what they affect. Also developing brains (i.e. adolescents) are more easily injuried.

I just had a son born the other day and I will not sign a release to let him play football ever. If he wants to play he can make that decision for himself when he is 18. The risks outweigh the benefits IMO.

 

[Hartsock]

Bro little kids don't hit hard at all. I think the most serious injury I've seen in like 4 years of pop warner was a sprained ankle.

So you haven't seen any pop warner games then? I have seen broken arms, legs, ankles, dislocated elbows, shoulders, knees, concussions ..... That being said, I only have a daughter right now, but if I had a son I think I would let him play. Can't protect them from everything, I have also seen most of these injuries on playgrounds at school. So its dangerous, but so are a lot of things.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Your parents got it right.

 

[bigb]

So you haven't seen any pop warner games then? I have seen broken arms, legs, ankles, dislocated elbows, shoulders, knees, concussions ..... That being said, I only have a daughter right now, but if I had a son I think I would let him play. Can't protect them from everything, I have also seen most of these injuries on playgrounds at school. So its dangerous, but so are a lot of things.

Both of my older kids (7 and 4 now, but they were about 5 and not quite 4 at the time) got concussions riding their bikes in front of my house. They were both wearing helmets at the time.
Personally, I think the risk of injury is no reason to not let your kids play a specific sport. I'm not judging those who make that decision, but it's not the decision I will make.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

If that's the case, why do ex NFL and NHL'ers have a higher suicide rate than that of other athletes? Are NBA and MLB players just not as competitive? Do they not miss the attention and endorphins as much once they retire? Is it just pure luck that the 2 sports who have the most concussions and head injuries also have higher suicide rates?

Now that they've been able to study the brains of ex NFL and NHL players, there's just too much evidence of excess brain damage and dementia to simply dismiss it as guys offing themselves because they miss the game, have gone broke, etc.

Fair points. I'd argue two things. The first and one that stands out more is that the NFL and NHL are much more team-oriented than the other two sports. These players very well may miss that brotherhood between players. They busted their *** both individually in the off-season and then as a team, and there was a unique bond there, that when they retired, was just gone. That's a huge void. Secondly, NBA'ers are naturally lazy as **** (most of them) and MLB'ers have been and can be much more than other sports like the NFL or NHL imo (i.e., John Kruk) and weren't as historically hardcore with physical fitness until the last 20 years or so. Even still, an MLB'er can have one or two "tools", such as speed and a bat (based more off of hand-eye coordination, a batter's discipline and eye, and reps) that takes less commitment than a sport like the NFL in which if you slide just a little, you can be cut. I'd also argue that I'd guess we will see a little more suicides in the world of MLB over the next 10-15 years as those who really did steroids, HGH and such, and were more "committed" to their craft, feel lost without it.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

I'll also add that in hindsight, the OP mentioning Seau wasn't really baffling. It's logical.

 

[GoJazz]

My kids can play Football and ride a bike without a helmet... I played College football and suffered no concussions even though I played safety and would regularly lead with my helmet. People who over protect there kids actually end up hurting them much more. I would explain but you wouldn't understand anyways.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

My kids can play Football and ride a bike without a helmet... I played College football and suffered no concussions even though I played safety and would regularly lead with my helmet. People who over protect there kids actually end up hurting them much more. I would explain but you wouldn't understand anyways.

I also let my kids smoke unfiltered cigarettes and ride in cars without their seat belts. Anyone who does otherwise is just inhibiting their children's primal nature. ****in' pansies.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

My kids can play Football and ride a bike without a helmet... I played College football and suffered no concussions even though I played safety and would regularly lead with my helmet. People who over protect there kids actually end up hurting them much more. I would explain but you wouldn't understand anyways.

What age are we talking about when we say "kids". I don't have any kids, but I wouldn't them start playing until they started HS.

 

[Hartsock]

My kids can play Football and ride a bike without a helmet... I played College football and suffered no concussions even though I played safety and would regularly lead with my helmet. People who over protect there kids actually end up hurting them much more. I would explain but you wouldn't understand anyways.

If you never had one single concussion than you were playing like a ******.