I’m the mom who won’t let her kids play football—and this is why

As a mother, it’s impossible to eliminate every risk from my children’s lives. But as they approach certain activities, I consider whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks. In the case of playing football, I feel they don’t.

During a game on Monday, January 2nd, 24-year-old, Damar Hamlin, suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit during a tackle. Cardiologists suggested that the right hit at the wrong time may have triggered commotio cordis, a rare phenomenon launching an abnormal and potentially deadly rhythm in an otherwise healthy heart. His heartbeat was restored on the field, and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. Currently, he remains on a ventilator, unable to speak to family and friends and using writing as means to communicate. While he has made substantial progress, he has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Had it not been for the swift response of the medical staff on site, Damar Hamlin may not have survived. This injury on the football field is unfortunate, but certainly not unexpected. 

As many as 1.5 million young men participate in American football in the United States with an estimated 1.2 million football-related injuries sustained annually. Lower extremity injuries account for 50 percent of all injuries while upper extremity injuries account for 30 percent. Cervical spine injuries also may occur and can be catastrophic. Football players are also very susceptible to concussions, which can lead to permanent disability when occurring repeatedly. My children have no desire to turn football into a career, so I consider these potential risks to be futile. 

Both of my elementary-aged boys have expressed interest in playing football on a team, but not more so than their interest in other sports such as soccer or baseball. They are athletes in the sense that they enjoy playing sports, being a member of a team and experiencing the rush of a win. While they’ve gained skills and expanded their abilities over the years, it is unlikely they’re headed to the NFL or destined to be the next big quarterback. If I saw this potential in their future, perhaps I’d be more inclined to allowing them to play football during their childhood. Both of my children participate in soccer leagues throughout the year, and they’ve played baseball in the past, as well, but when they ask to play football, my answer is always no.

An autopsy study from 2017 showed that 99 percent of ailing NFL player brains show hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease. With a background in speech-language pathology, I am aware of the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) including but not limited to difficulties with logic, speech, language comprehension, visual processing, and the ability to perform familiar tasks. I’ve seen patients struggling to communicate—knowing what they want to say but lacking the ability to express the right words. I’ve also lived with a neurological disease for the last 18 years and while it is not injury induced, I know what disarray in the nervous system can feel like and how far-reaching its effects can be. My life experiences have certainly impacted my decision to keep my children off the football field.

According to the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study, football has the highest injury and concussion rates among all sports. It is also considered the most dangerous sport for children ages 5 to 14. My children have their entire adult lives ahead of them to make difficult decisions for themselves. But right now, it’s my job to protect their well-being, even when they disagree with my decisions. Their lives are far too precious for me to allow them to participate in such a high-risk activity, especially when they have no aspiration for a long-term commitment. 

In our family, we will save football for entertainment purposes. We’ll watch games on Sundays and wear our favorite jerseys during football season. They’ll throw a football in the yard and play flag football with their friends at recess. My children will continue to participate in other sports—ones that are less likely to induce permanent damage. Because first and foremost, I’m a mother, and keeping my children safe is my top priority. 

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