I always thought it would be a no-brainer.
If one of my sons wanted to play football, I'd happily sign the permission slip without a second thought.
But that wasn't the case, recently.
While my 9-year-old son, Parker, will be playing Pee Wee football in the fall for the first time, it wasn't the easy decision I thought it would be just a few years ago. I've always hoped my boys would love football as much as I do, that they'd develop a passion for the greatest game on earth. And I still do.
But the concussion issue has caused me to have at least some reservations about them playing. When guys like former St. Louis Rams QB Kurt Warner say they might not want their children to play the sport, it gets one's attention.
Parker has played baseball and soccer, and certainly there are risks in those sports too.
Research shows concussions make up 2 to 3 percent of all injuries in soccer, and one would presume a baseball player pegged in the head with a fastball could lead to brain injuries as well. So, obviously, football doesn't have a monopoly on head blows.
However, concussions have been real a game-changer on the gridiron -- literally.
The NFL has changed a number of rules in the name of player safety, after agreeing to pay $765 million to former players who continue to battle aftereffects of concussions long after playing their final snap.
Thousands of former NFL players have complaints ranging from chronic headaches to Alzheimer's disease. Along with rule changes, the NFL has pledged $25 million to promote youth sports safety, which should help the next generation, namely those just now learning the game, like my son. Lawsuits and studies aren't limited to the NFL, as the NCAA is being put on notice as well.
I read about a preliminary study that found the areas of college football players' brains that control memory were smaller than average, especially if they had suffered concussions. The article noted more research is needed to determine if they would have problems later in life.
"The college players studied did just as well on tests of mental function, including memory, as a healthy control group of college athletes in non-contact sports, although those in the football group who'd played the longest had slower reaction times," the Associated Press story read.
Citing neuroscientist and study co-author Patrick Bellgowan, the piece points out it's unknown when the brain differences occurred, and it's possible the football players were born with them.
There are still a lot of unknowns, but the issue is starting to get a lot of attention, even in high school and youth football.
At least one state, California, is considering legislation limiting full-contact practices on the high school level. According to an AP story, the bill limits drills involving game-speed tackling to 90-minute sessions twice a week, while prohibiting such full-contact drills in the offseason.
President Obama has even weighed in on the concussion conversation, calling for more research on their effects on young athletes and how they should be treated.
What's scary, these days, is that athletes on the Pee Wee and high school levels are probably more at risk of sustaining longterm head injuries because their teams don't have the resources of college and pro clubs.
Rarely are trained medical personnel on the sidelines for those lower level games. While many schools have an ambulance crew on standby, typically paramedics only rush to the field if the player has an obvious major injury. From what I understand, a player could get a concussion and not realize it in the moment. He may not actually lose consciousness.
It's still easy for a kid to say he just got his bell rung; he wants back in the game.
For years, most would think he was a sissy if he stayed on the bench; they'd question his toughness and demand he "man up, bow up and get back in there." But now, it's becoming clear coaches and players have to be cautious when dealing with head injuries.
I know I plan to ask Parker after each practice and game, not only if he had a good time, but how he feels, especially if he was involved in a big collision.
I suspect many others will do the same. With more and more information becoming available these days, it's incumbent on parents and coaches to ensure the hits kids are taking now don't sideline them permanently in life.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com