With Concussions Piling up, Parents Lean Towards a Move Towards Flag Football

It’s no secret that concussions have had a major impact in the decline of youth football. With studies constantly proving just how dangerous the sport is, more parents and athletes have begun to stay away from tackle football. However, for some, football is still a very much a part of their lives, just in a slightly different way. In an article written by Fred Bowen from The Washington Post, more kids from ages 6 to 12 are playing flag football instead of tackle football. “The Sports & Fitness Industry Association, a group that keeps track of sports participation, says that flag football is the fastest-growing team sport in the past three years,” says Bowen. The Aspen Institute, an organization that studies sports and other issues, has recently published a report in favor of athletes making the transition from tackle to flag football before the age of 14. Bowen first alludes to the fact that flag football is most likely safer because there is no hard, physical contact involved. “While most of the attention has been about injuries to NFL and college players, kids may be in danger, too. Kids have weaker necks than older athletes, and so their heads (and brains) may bounce around more when they get hit. In addition, kids’ brains are still developing, and so brain injuries and hits to the head may have more effects on them than on adults,” says Bowen. Some studies also suggest that children who play tackle football before the age of 12 are more susceptible to memory and behavior problems down the road. The second reason eludes to the reality that more kids may be able to play flag football because of how much cheaper the cost is. “Youth football helmets can cost almost $400,” says Bowen. Less costs leads to fewer equipment. There are some, however, who aren’t in favor of the change. “Some people, however, think kids can become good football players only if they learn the blocking and tackling techniques early. But plenty of great players — such as quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees, as well as Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Anthony Munoz and Lawrence Taylor — did not play tackle football until high school,” says Bowen. According to a study conducted by the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in 2016, 78 percent of adults believe kids under the age of 14 should avoid tackle football entirely. Bowen believes that flag football is the future for children; time will only tell.