[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Holger

The 20% will do fine, because they are focused on what they do.
It is the 80% that is in danger.
Because not focusing and not using your muscles and tension in a good way will hurt you when getting hit. Not focusing means you dont know where the tackle will come from. Not using the muscles and tension will throw you around like a doll.
I play hockey and not holding against a tackle hurts a lot.

Yup. Typically the kids who are engaged are doing the hitting. It's the ones who check out that get plastered.

Originally Posted by Crowbob

In my high school years, I woke up one morning in late summer and couldn't move. No, I wasn't paralyzed. Every muscle in my body hurt so bad I needed help getting to the bathroom.

'What is wrong with me, mom?'

She explained that I had gotten knocked out at football practice the day before. I had NO recollection of it.

In fact, I had no recollection of the entire three days prior. My buddies on the team described what happened; not a huge impact but my short-term memory was totally shot. I'd ask the same question over and over. I got dropped off at home and went directly to bed, apparently.

No long term effects term effects term effects.

In my high school years, I woke up one morning in late summer...



I would not let my son play high school football.

I did a number of dangerous things as a teen, none of which involved sports. I knew a number of teens that died in car accidents. My oldest is 12 and has been playing some form of football (and every other sport) since he was 4. I am exponentially more scared of him driving than playing football. I floated through high school not involved in any activity except drinking heavily, in my opinion the pros of sports significantly outweigh the cons. Oh yeah, and despite never planning tackle football I can recall at least four incidents in my life where I am fairly certain I had a concussion.