Should Kids Play Football

Should kids play football? That’s the question everyone is asking. Well I have an answer. They should! A total of 2.5 million kids play football and 1.1 million of them play in high school. This results in football being America’s most popular sport. However, other Americans have a different idea on the sport. Some believe that football is too risky due to concussions. But, there are many more reasons why kids should play.

First of all, football is getting safer everyday. Pop Warner has limited the amount of practice time that includes tackling. Plus, many national programs are training coaches, parents, and athletes to recognize and treat concussions. But most importantly, all 50 states have laws that says a medical professional must sign off an injured player before going back on the field.

Second of all, playing football helps kids stay in shape, 2.5 million kids that is. Childhood obesity remains one of the biggest problems in the country, with more than one-third of kids overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“A lack of exercise is a major component of this epidemic,” says Stanley Herring, a professor in the University of Washington's sports medicine department. So, parents should be encouraging kids to get outside and exercise. “A lifelong interest and comitment to health and fitness has never been more important as we face a widespread increase in sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity,” he says. “Being active as a child correlates with being active as an adult.”

Third of all, it has been proven that kids(which includes middle school, high school, and college students)who play sport do better in school. “Organized sports don't just help kids' bodies, but their minds as well,” says Kim Gorgens​, a professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. “We are just beginning to understand the role of aerobic exercise in brain plasticity,” she says. “The findings are incredibly robust for kids. Brain and body fitness appear to be the same thing. Research suggests that physical activity is essential for learning and retention of learned material.”

So, even though football is the most dangerous sport in America, it is still the most loved and the rewards outweigh the risks. As you can see, football is very worthwhile due to its progression in fitness and mental health. Therefore, to answer the big question, yes. Kids should play football.