Lisa Long-Cotten

Fall is upon us, and in my house that means Faith, Family and Football. Thanks to NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN and the SEC Network, we hardly ever miss a game. If we are not parked in front of a television watching a game, you can find us in the stands or on the sidelines at a youth, middle school, high school or college game. We are blessed to have a family full of athletic kids, so we try to support them whenever possible.

Although injuries can occur in any sport, serious injuries tend to be more prevalent on the football field. The recent acknowledgement of the connection between chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease found in patients with a history of repetitive hits to the head, and football has caused much debate on how early a child should begin playing the sport. Several high profile NFL players have vowed to refrain from allowing their children to play the sport until at least high school, if at all. I believe that all youth sports, including football, serve important roles in our communities. Sports can help build a child’s confidence as well as teach him or her lessons about good sportsmanship, team work and perseverance.

I volunteer on the board of a South Carolina Midlands Pop Warner Football organization. As a board member, I attended a pre-season training session that highlighted some of the initiatives and 2016 rules changes implemented to enhance player safety. Several years ago, Pop Warner adopted an initiative called Heads Up Football. Heads Up Football educates coaches, parents and players on four key elements: Concussion Recognition and Response; Heat Preparedness and Hydration; Equipment Fitting and Heads Up Tackling. All head coaches and rostered football staff are required to complete online Heads Up Football training annually. In addition to proper equipment fitting, Pop Warner also enforces the use of safe equipment. All youth football helmets must bear a current National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) Seal of Certification. The (NOCSAE) is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to reduce athletic injuries and death through standards and certification for athletic equipment. The NOCSAE label indicates that the helmet was furnished by helmet manufacturers and re-conditioners who adhere to the committee’s safety standards. The most notable safety rule change is the elimination of the kick-off return for the younger age categories. In lieu of kick-off return, the ball will be placed on the 35 yard line to begin play. The goal is to avoid high speed collisions often associated with kick-off returns.

My son began playing flag football when he was four years old. At the age of five, he graduated to tackle football. In August, he survived his first try-out to make the roster at his middle school. He plays other sports as well, but his first love is football. I often feel conflicted between my love of football and my desire to keep my son out of harm’s way. I also endure condemnation from some moms about my decision to allow him to play at such a young age. As a parent, I am pleased with the steps being taken to ensure the safety of youth football players. I am well aware that football is still an inherently dangerous sport, but gone are the days when players are encourage to play through injuries without receiving medical attention. The bottom line is youth football is not going anywhere. My decision to support my child in his desire to play football is a personal one, and it may not be right for every child. I take some comfort in the efforts of organized leagues to make efforts to improve players’ safety; but the ultimate responsibility for my young player’s safety rest with my husband and me. If the sport ever stops being fun for him or we do not believe that a coach has his best interest at heart, my son will no longer play. Until then, we will be there for every game, every down, every time.

Published in the Fall 2016 Edition of the Richland County Bar Association Newsletter