Obama: "If I had a son, I wouldnt let him play football"

[SCP]

I played football through college and only played 2 years of Pop Warner. My son has played flag football and this year he is supposed to move up to tackle. I'm not sure if I want him to play. Just like weight lifting, there is no point in starting a kid too early in this sport. Start playing in middle school and don't start lifting weights until you're older than 14. I used to say that I'd let my boys play tackle right away but paralysis, joint problems, and head trauma are too serious to screw around with in my opinion. They should have flag football for kids until they reach middle school.

[Mr. Scot]

I agree bad things happen....kids can't live in a bubble.

However, all activites don't come with the same risks. That is like saying if you cross a country 2 lane road it is the same as crossing I77 in rush hour....one is more dangerous.

also, with the way kids grow up these days and are trained...that also makes a dangerous sport more dangerous. Human body isn't suppose to go through what certain positions put it through IMO.

Sports definitely have dangers. They also have benefits.

It's gotta be individual, honestly. Buddy of mine has two sons, one of whom just isn't made for sports whereas it'd be a travesty to keep the other out of them.

Parents just have to know their kids. That's one reason why I don't like blanket statements about whether they would or wouldn't.

[SCP]

I played football through college and only played 2 years of Pop Warner. My son has played flag football and this year he is supposed to move up to tackle. I'm not sure if I want him to play. Just like weight lifting, there is no point in starting a kid too early in this sport. Start playing in middle school and don't start lifting weights until you're older than 14. I used to say that I'd let my boys play tackle right away but paralysis, joint problems, and head trauma are too serious to screw around with in my opinion. They should have flag football for kids until they reach middle school.

One more thing, youth sports are getting WAY to fugging serious at a WAY to early stage of development. They have 8 year old travel teams in baseball now, give me a fugging break.

[TheRumGone]

One more thing, youth sports are getting WAY to fugging serious at a WAY to early stage of development. They have 8 year old travel teams in baseball now, give me a fugging break.

It's these crazy fuging parents. I was lucky that my Dad never pushed me, he just encouraged. The only thing he said was have fun, if your not having fun don't do it.

[rayzor]

One more thing, youth sports are getting WAY to fugging serious at a WAY to early stage of development. They have 8 year old travel teams in baseball now, give me a fugging break.

thats one reason I'm not going to push or do much encouraging to get my kid(s) into organized sports. there's other ways to keep them happy, active, social, and growing without giving up much of their childhood and being surrounded and influenced by people who give it that much of a priority.

[Mr. Scot]

It's these crazy fuging parents. I was lucky that my Dad never pushed me, he just encouraged. The only thing he said was have fun, if your not having fun don't do it.

Generally speaking, I think it's a good thing for kids to play sports.

I do think some parents shouldn't be allowed to watch :unsure:

[SCP]

It's these crazy fuging parents. I was lucky that my Dad never pushed me, he just encouraged. The only thing he said was have fun, if your not having fun don't do it.

I just want my son to do something active. He can pick whatever sport/activity he wants. He chose soccer this spring over baseball which hurt because im not a soccer fan, but its not for me its for him. My stance is we will always do the city/public leagues. My boys will not do the "pay for play" route with travel teams and AAU teams.

[TheRumGone]

I just want my son to do something active. He can pick whatever sport/activity he wants. He chose soccer this spring over baseball which hurt because im bot a soccer fan, but its not for me its for him. My stance is we will always do the city/public leagues. My boys will not do the "pay for play" route with travel teams and AAU teams.

I did baseball traveling teams, because the level of play was higher and it improved my game and It was fun. I started doing that when I was 12. A lot of kids get pushed into those kinds of things though. I remember a few kids complaining to there parents that they didn't want to be there cause they were missing "X" and "X" events with their friends.

[SCP]

I did baseball traveling teams, because the level of play was higher and it improved my game and It was fun. I started doing that when I was 12. A lot of kids get pushed into those kinds of things though. I remember a few kids complaining to there parents that they didn't want to be there cause they were missing "X" and "X" events with their friends.

Bingo. If my son says he wants to try travel "x" then I'll be happy to do so. I know plenty of guys that don't give their kids the option.

[Shufdog]

I broke my leg and multiple fingers playing baseball, never really got "hurt" playing football.

[TheRumGone]

I broke my leg and multiple fingers playing baseball, never really got "hurt" playing football.

I've seen a lot of messed up poo playing baseball. Dislocated arms, black eyes, broken fingers, concussions, bloody noses. 90mph fastballs taken to the face. But the chances of those things happening are so minute compared to football injuries. I saw a guy break his femur playing football. Scarred me for life.

[SCP]

In football I tore the arch in my right foot, tore the MCL in my right knee, had surgery on the other knee, had shoulder surgery, have a chronic bad ankle that will never get better, was knocked out and knocked silly on several occasions, switched majors in college so i wouldn't miss meaningless spring practice, and forced myself to stay at 290lbs to play. All before my junior year. I don't regret it and every drop of sweat was worth it. But there is plenty of time for my boys to get into that at an older age.

[Cary Kollins]

I sprained my ankle playing basketball. Hurt like poo!

[Shufdog]

I've seen a lot of messed up poo playing baseball. Dislocated arms, black eyes, broken fingers, concussions, bloody noses. 90mph fastballs taken to the face. But the chances of those things happening are so minute compared to football injuries. I saw a guy break his femur playing football. Scarred me for life.

Just to be clear, I'm not implying baseball is worse than football.