New study links youth football to behavioral problems

[QuantumMechanic]

"Well we've heard about concussions and NFL players, but what about children who play tackle football? A new study out today from Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center links kids under age 12 who play tackle football with mood and behavior problems later in life."

New Study Links Playing Football At A Young Age To Behavioral Problems

 

[jmt57]

"Well we've heard about concussions and NFL players, but what about children who play tackle football? A new study out today from Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center links kids under age 12 who play tackle football with mood and behavior problems later in life."

New Study Links Playing Football At A Young Age To Behavioral Problems

I recall when I was young there was no organized football of any kind until 8th grade. That was due to safety concerns, and waiting until a kid's body had been given a bit of a chance to grow.

Now we have Pop Warner leagues starting for kids age 5.

Part of the problem is that some/many Pop Warners are run as a business (based on conversations I overheard when my kids were in it, at a national competition). So while all the new information would make sense for them to scale back, I doubt that will happen. It will be up to the parents to take a firm stance, while athletic kids will face peer pressure to man up and join a team.