Former quarterback Brett Favre played football for 20 years, but today he questions whether kids should be playing the game. He recently said that if he had a son, he would try to dissuade him from playing.
The problem is that football is linked to concussions, brain injuries and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Even with helmets, people are at risk for brain injuries from football. Whether it’s from a helmet-to-helmet hit or contact with the ground, concussions and other brain injuries are very common.
Favre said that during his career, he probably suffered hundreds or thousands of concussions. Today, he is experiencing short-term memory loss and difficulty remembering certain words. He worries that he may have CTE or another type of brain injury. He is also concerned that he may have additional symptoms in the future. CTE can cause problems such as severe memory loss and problems with anger management.
Will you let your children play football?
It’s hard to tell your kids “no” when they really want to play a sport, but concussions and brain injuries are a real concern that you’ll want to consider. If they do play football or another contact sport, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussions.
Parents often do not understand how serious concussions can be. A concussion is like a mild traumatic brain injury that can cause temporary or permanent damage to the brain. When children suffer a concussion, they may exhibit symptoms such as headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, difficulty seeing, and changes in their personality or mood.
If your child suffers a concussion from playing football or any other sport, it’s important to get him or her medical care as soon as possible. An early diagnosis and treatment can improve chances of recovery.
