Why teens should not play football?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 17, 2026
Repetitive brain trauma in youth football may affect those developmental processes and has been linked with later life consequences, including depression, cognitive difficulties, altered brain structure and an earlier onset of symptoms in those who develop Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.Repetitive brain trauma in youth football may affect those developmental processes and has been linked with later life consequences, including depression, cognitive difficulties, altered brain structure and an earlier onset of symptoms in those who develop Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head. The encephalopathy symptoms can include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking. The disease often gets worse over time and can result in dementia. › Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy
Should teens be allowed to play football?
More importantly, it teaches life lessons. Kids learn discipline, hard work and teamwork when they play football. For a lot of children, football provides an incentive to do well in school or behave; it gives them an activity to keep them occupied. Football should always be available to kids of all ages.
What are the negatives of playing football?
The cons of playing football
- Ankle sprains.
- Hamstring injuries.
- Meniscus tears.
- Concussions.
Why is football not a good sport?
Between 1.6 and 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur annually, and football is responsible for the lion's share. Football players are also subject to hundreds of small, subconcussive injuries per season; hits to the head that shake up the brain, but don't rise to the level of a full-blown concussion.
What are the pros and cons of football?
Here's a look at some of the pros and cons of allowing them on the field:
- Pro: Playing football can help kids stay in shape.
- Con: Football players are at high risk for concussions.
- Pro: Kids who play sports do better in school.
- Con: Injuries can have long-lasting effects.
Why should I let my kid play football?
Youth football is a great way to build discipline in a child, and it's a terrific tool for learning how important teamwork is. It's a sport where you really have to concentrate on your job and be able to trust what your teammates are doing.
Is it safe to play football?
Football is a great way to be part of a team and stay physically active. But football is a contact sport, so injuries do happen. Doctors and scientists are studying how repeatedly hitting the head during tackling affects the brain. These injuries can cause serious brain problems later in life.
Is football safer now?
(WICS/WRSP) — Over the last 20 years, the prevalence of football concussions and head injuries has worn on the minds of parents and kids, forcing many to give up the game or not play it to begin with. Now the game has changed, and experts say that is for the better.
Should parents let their child play football?
Legendary former quarterback Brett Favre is warning parents not to let their children play tackle football before the age of 14, lest they greatly increase their kids' risk of eventually developing the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Does football cause brain damage?
Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist whose research first linked football with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that leads to memory loss, erratic behavior, and depression. One study found CTE in 110 of 111 deceased NFL.
Why should football be banned?
Reasons are shown through different points of argument. Football causes continuous concussions, causes long term medical problems and causes different types of trauma to their body and affects their overall health. High School Football should be banned because of the Physical and Mental Damage It Causes to Athletes.
Is it OK for a 13 year old to play football?
If Your Child Wants to Play Football
Ideally, kids should stick with flag (or non-contact) football until they are at least 13 years old. One small study of retired NFL players have shown an association between cognitive impairment and playing tackle football prior to age 12.
Why should we keep football?
Reducing body fat. Building strength, stamina and speed. Training your brain, improving concentration and coordination. Promoting teamwork, being social and boosting your confidence.
Is high school football dying?
Over the last decade, high school tackle football participation has fallen by about 10% nationwide. It's not just that fewer kids are playing. The racial makeup of the game is shifting, too. White participation in high school football has fallen precipitously in the last decade.
What are common injuries in football?
Common Football Injuries
- Ankle sprains.
- Knee injuries.
- Quad, hamstring, and groin strains.
- Hip pointers.
- Shoulder dislocations.
- Acromioclavicular sprains.
- Wrist and hand injuries.
- Football concussions.
Why is football healthy for you?
Health benefits
The combination of running, walking, sprinting and kicking can bring benefits including increased stamina, improved cardiovascular health, reduced body fat, improved muscle strength and tone, increased bone strength and improved coordination.
Why is football the best sport?
Some reasons that make football the best sport are: Football includes mental and physical stamina – Football is time-based and commonly it lasts for just ninety minutes. And so, players remain literally on their toes. Additionally, they utilize their minds for forming the ideal policy at the correct time.
What sport has the most injuries?
Basketball. According to 2019 statistics, basketball causes the most injuries compared to any other team sport. Young people and adults who play basketball are exposed to various injuries including fractures, facial injuries, deep thigh bruises, ankle sprains and knee injuries.
Should 10 year olds play tackle football?
However, they went on to say fundamental tackling, blocking and hitting skills could be introduced in practice at age 12. The Concussion Legacy Foundation states they "strongly recommend you delay enrolling your child in tackle football until the age of 14."
What is the safest sport in the world?
OVERALL FINAL SCORES. Analysis: Boys and girls tennis emerged as the safest sports, with very few overall injuries, concussions, time loss due to injuries, surgeries, and catastrophic injuries. Not surprisingly, several contact sports (football, boys and girls lacrosse, wrestling) scored near the bottom.
What age is best to start football?
Once your child has developed the skills to kick and control the ball with confidence irrespective of age they should be ready to take their football in to a more structured environment. This might usually be around the age of 5-7.
Is flag football safer than tackle?
A CDC study published in Sports Health reports youth tackle football athletes ages 6 to 14 sustained 15 times more head impacts than flag football athletes during a practice or game and sustained 23 times more high-magnitude head impact (hard head impact).
Is football safe for middle schoolers?
In the last two years, some researchers have shown that head hits in youth sports increase the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, an untreatable degenerative brain disease with symptoms ranging from memory loss to progressive dementia.
Why is youth football not banned?
Although people think banning football will decrease the amount of teen deaths and concussions; football should not be banned because it is just as dangerous as any other high school sports, many people would lose their job if it was banned, and football and sports help keep kids off the street.
