MS: Get Your Head in the Game

Football is one of the most injury-prone activities on the planet, yet 250 mil- lion play worldwide. From concussions to heat stroke, the sport exposes anyone who plays to damage that can be permanent. If Sea- bury had the ability to pro- duce a football team, fami- lies should not let their children play.

There are several inju- ries associated with football. Sprains and strains of an- kles, fractures of the wrist, fingers and legs, Achilles tendonitis, cartilage tear, concussions, spine injuries, etc. The tremendous amount of possible injuries involv- ing football are not acceptable or safe for a young ath- lete. Just this week, a high school player died two days after a game he participated in.

Blows to the head and other damage to the head at an age when the brain is still developing can cause behav- ior and mood prob- lems. Over 99% of brains of dead players had CTE, which is a form of protein that forms in the brain and slowly kills off brain cells.

Even the most ad- vanced helmets cannot total- ly protect from concussions or other brain trauma. No sort of helmet is completely safe. This is the same with other types of gear, such as chest pads. If a sudden blow to the area around the heart happened at the wrong time, a person could die.

The immediate physical aspect of football is not the only problem. Later in life, football players have experi- enced memory loss, depres- sion and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Next time you think about joining the football team, try other sports that are safer.

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