A recent public service announcement (PSA) is stirring conversation among parents, urging them to reconsider introducing their children to tackle football before the age of 14. This initiative comes in light of growing concerns over the alarming rates of concussions and the long-term effects associated with the sport. As cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have surfaced, many parents are reevaluating their decisions regarding youth football.
This week, the Concussion Legacy Foundation released a striking PSA that draws a parallel between the risks of kids playing tackle football and the dangers of smoking cigarettes. In the brief yet impactful video, young players are seen enjoying a football game. After a tackle, the coach celebrates their efforts by handing out cigarettes, which the children smoke while a voiceover states, “Tackle football is like smoking. The younger I start, the longer I am exposed to danger. You wouldn’t let me smoke. When should I start tackling?” The imagery is further accentuated by a mother lighting her child’s cigarette, underscoring the jarring comparison.
The PSA is part of the “Tackle Can Wait” campaign, initiated by two daughters of former NFL players who were diagnosed with CTE posthumously. Emily Johnson, daughter of NFL star Mike Johnson, and Sarah Thompson, who lost her father, college football player Jack Thompson, are advocating for a delay in tackle football participation until children reach at least 14 years of age to mitigate the risk of CTE.
A recent study published in the Annals of Neurology emphasizes that the duration of playing football, rather than the number of concussions, significantly influences the severity of CTE. The research indicates that the risk of developing CTE doubles for every 2.6 years spent in the sport. For instance, a child who begins playing tackle football at age five faces a tenfold increase in CTE risk compared to someone who waits until 14.
Why Draw a Comparison to Smoking?
Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and co-author of the study, believes that implementing age restrictions on tackle football could potentially halve the risk of CTE, similar to regulations around cigarette consumption. While 14 isn’t an absolute cutoff, studies show that children sustaining brain injuries before age 12 tend to recover more slowly, as their bodies are not yet equipped to handle the impacts associated with tackle football.
Though signing a child up for contact sports may not equate to handing them a pack of cigarettes, this provocative PSA invites parents to reconsider their approach to youth tackle football. Two decades ago, the long-term brain damage linked to football was not widely recognized. Now that we have a clearer understanding, it may be time to rethink the trajectory of the sport—especially for young athletes.
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In summary, the new PSA serves as a wake-up call for parents regarding the risks associated with youth tackle football, highlighting the urgency for thoughtful consideration before enrollment. It draws a compelling analogy to smoking, advocating for a minimum age to protect young athletes from potential long-term harm.