It was a chaotic morning when I received an urgent call from the school nurse. “You need to come to school immediately,” she said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “He has a head injury.”
My son, who was just 8 years old at the time, had collided with another child during gym class, resulting in a brief loss of consciousness. By the time I reached the nurse’s office, a painful bump the size of a kiwi was already forming on his head, rapidly swelling and turning bruised. He seemed groggy and disoriented, and his symptoms quickly escalated to include vomiting, difficulty walking, lethargy, and confusion. After consulting with our family doctor, we rushed him to the emergency room, where it was confirmed: he had suffered a concussion.
The recovery took nearly eight weeks, filled with headaches, memory issues, and trouble concentrating—all stemming from that accidental collision. Although he eventually healed, we could never fully assess the potential long-term impact on his developing brain. This experience led my husband and me to make a firm decision: our son will not play tackle football. As he watches high school football games from the sidelines, he vividly recalls the struggle of recovering from his brain injury.
Research Supporting Our Decision
Recent findings from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) support our decision. A study published this week examined 111 brains of former NFL players, discovering chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 110 of the samples. This alarming statistic should prompt parents to reconsider their children’s participation in contact sports like football and boxing.
To simplify the medical jargon: CTE is a degenerative brain disorder linked to repeated head trauma. Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, personality changes (like depression and suicidal thoughts), erratic behavior, attention difficulties, and balance issues. While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem, there is a strong correlation between repeated head injuries and the presence of CTE when examined after death.
The JAMA study analyzed the brains of former football players, revealing that 177 out of 202 showed signs of CTE. These brains were donated by families who had observed symptoms in their loved ones. It’s worth noting that the sample was biased towards those suspected of having CTE, making it impossible to conclusively prove that football caused these injuries. However, it highlights the urgent need for further research to protect young athletes.
Currently, no long-term studies exist on living individuals with CTE, as such research demands substantial time and funding—estimates suggest around $100 million. Yet, the message is clear: science is inching closer to confirming that repeated head impacts in football can lead to irreversible brain damage.
Even the NFL has acknowledged the findings. In a statement to NPR, they noted the importance of the publication for the medical community and pledged to collaborate with experts to enhance athlete safety. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has committed $100 million to research aimed at protecting players, but independent studies remain essential. Parents deserve comprehensive data to make informed decisions about their children’s involvement in football.
What Parents Can Do
So, what can parents of football-loving kids do? Speak up. Urge your local football organizations to support CTE research as much as they fundraise for new uniforms. Ensure your child wears updated protective headgear at every game—no exceptions. And if your child has been diagnosed with a concussion, do not allow them to return to the field until they have fully healed and received medical clearance. Coaches who pressure you to rush your child back into play should raise red flags.
Most crucially, stay informed. Increasing evidence indicates that head injuries are a serious concern for kids both on and off the field. For additional insights into pregnancy and home insemination, check out this resource. For comprehensive information on artificial insemination, see this link. Also, I recommend visiting March of Dimes for excellent guidance on fertility treatment options.
In summary, my family’s experience with concussions has led us to avoid tackle football for our son, and current research backs up our concerns about the long-term effects of head injuries in sports.