The Stokes Life

My love for the sport has grown recently as my son just finished his 4th year of playing football at age 9. We live in Oklahoma, and like our surrounding states they start them young. When I played football in high school we didn't put on pads for the first time until I was in 7th grade.

I have helped coach my sons team for the past four years. I have to say I have seen him take some hits that I wouldn't get up from. He of course knows it is part of the sport and this past year he has learned to 'unleash' when he is at point of impact. It is constantly taught, "it is better to hit than to get hit". Which makes sense and for the most part is true. However, I can't help but think what is really going on inside that helmet.

I am more concerned about the life my son will live in his thirties than how far he will go in the sport of football. He loves playing and I have expressed safety in all the drills and how he plays but as we all know it is a matter of time before the big hit comes. And as they stated, it may be the total combined hits taken over ones career that cause the most damage.

I can't help but ask as a concerned parent and coach of these young athletes... What long term effects do hits to the head have when they start at the age of six years old? Have any studies of this nature been done on the youth football?

Again, thank you for your attention to this issue and if you have any input I would greatly appreciate it.