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Sarah Stokes

Ms. Curtin

Independent Research G/T

18 May 2017

Unnecessary Roughness: Concussions in the NFL and Their Effect on Participation in Youth

Football

In recent years, the number of children participating had decreased. The reason for this

decrease is due to parental concern for the safety of youth football players. Parents observe the

detrimental impact concussions can have on a player through the numerous concussions at the

highest level of football, the National Football League. Injuries, especially concussions, in the

NFL are publicized. Parents see these injuries and become concerned over the safety of football.

Not only do parents see the current head injuries, but they also see the past injuries through high-

profile lawsuits against the NFL for problems later in life from multiple or untreated

concussions, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. The general fear for football players

safety is the reason why there has been a significant drop in youth football participation is recent

years. Parents become concerned for their childs safety playing football by observing the past

and current NFL concussions, which eventually causes them to question the overall safety of the

sport and restrict their child from playing football as a result of that concern.
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