In fact, the NFHS reports only numbers
of students who have chosen to
participate in high school football. The
number of student athletes who have
initially played football and chose not
to come back versus the number of
students who attended recruitment
events and never initially played
football and chose not to play at all does
not seem to be reported anywhere. If
this data were available, it would surely
help student athletes and parents make
better decisions.

Coach Taylor is disappointed that the
media has chosen to emphasize the
negatives in football without spending
equal time talking about the benefits of
football. “It is the greatest team sport—
where individuals must put aside their
desire for self and work for the team.

Football requires a selfless mentality
that a lot of kids today struggle with.”
SISEEIT/E+/GETTY IMAGES
media reports detailing the brain
disease and suicides of NFL players
has caused unnecessary alarm which
has, in turn, had a direct effect on
participation in high school football.

During his 11 years spent as an
assistant coach and the most recent 12
years as head coach, Coach Taylor has
not encountered players or parents
who made decisions to not play
football due to injury or fear of injury.

He believes the lack of participation
seemed to “mostly come from people
who have never tried the sport and are
basing their decisions on media reports
and conversations with people whose
kids don’t play football.”
Despite the problems reported in
football and the reality that the face
of scholastic football is changing
throughout the United States, Coach
Brown is confident things will work
out in the end. “I think the future is
bright. It’s an awesome sport [with]
many parallels to life. It’s true that
participation has decreased, but it’s not
a huge alarming [statistic]. Football is
still going strong.”
The final piece of the puzzle involves
an action that many parents are
uncomfortable with—involving their
children in the decision-making
process. Parents are wired to make
decisions on behalf of their children to
protect them and offer them the best
options in life. But in the case of high
school (and middle school) football,
where coverage has caused fear and
alarm, a better way to handle things is
to involve your children.

“It is the greatest team sport — where individuals must put
aside their desire for self and work for the team. Football requires
a selfless mentality that a lot of kids today struggle with.”
12 December 2018 washingtonFAMILY.com
Research with your student athlete,
talk to the coaches and athletic
directors and ask the tough questions.

Help your children understand the
risks and benefits.

But you can’t make the final decision
without: Attending a local high school
football game. It’ll make the decision
a lot tougher, but it’ll be a better and
more informed decision. You will
notice safety measures in place—it’s
not the same football game played
20 or 30 years ago. And you’ll have a
great time. The Star-Spangled Banner
is played. You’ll notice friendship
among parents, camaraderie among
the student body, local community
involvement, lots of cheering,
cowbelling, arm chair quarterbacking
and the smell of grilling hamburgers in
the crisp fall air.

And the boys on the field having the
time of their lives.

Amanda M. Socci is a mother and
freelance writer living in Alexandria, VA.