Tackling Youth Football in America

This weekend, I engaged in a emergent, cultural phenomenon (thanks to Netflix, Video OnDemand, and the internet) accurately described as "binge watching".  Recently, I've binge-watched The Tudors, Arrested Development, Modern Family and Breaking Bad.  However, my stomach turned, brain churned, and heart broke as I watched the train wreck that is Friday Night Tykes (FNT).

Although the Esquire Network tries to convince viewers that FNT is a "docuseries", I'm pretty sure that it's a reality show.  It follows the coaches, players, and some families of 5 teams of 9 year olds...the Outlaws, Jr. Broncos, Colts, Rockets and the Predators (my personal favorite)...in the Texas Youth Football Association in San Antonio

Ask Katy.  For whatever reason, I couldn't change the channel.  Maybe it was the drama, or the football-crazed coaches, or the desire for the children to walk away from the practices, or how badly I wanted some coaches to lose.  No matter the reason, I couldn't turn away or change the channel, which fed directly into the Esquire Network's wish for ratings.  However, I did take away a few things:

1. The majority of the coaches featured in the series want to win above all else.  They may say that they care about the health of their players and want them to have fun, but their actions are contradictory.
2. My favorite person in the show is....J Boogie.  He spent the offseason with his aunt in Indianapolis, spending most of his time at the swimming pool.  My heart ached for him as he left his first practice of the season crying, because his coach made him run the entire practice.  Later the coach admitted that he didn't watch him run or know how much he ran.
3. There was no demonstration of proper tackling techniques.  Coaches encouraged their players to hit the other players hard, and to quit crying when they were hurt.  At one point a boy most likely suffered a concussion on a tackle in practice, and the solution was to pour water on his head.
4. It is not ok to curse at children.
5. These are children.
6. "Emotions are a female trait."  Seriously?!?!?!
7. People are crazy.  The coach of one team cried after a week 1 loss, because it was the most important day of his life....this guy has a family!
8. Youth football has a perception problem.

I realize that this is a small snapshot of what is happening throughout America in youth football leagues, and is most likely not happening on every practice field and game.  However this is part of the perception of football in America.

• There is a case in the courts between the NFL and former players resulting from the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopothy (CTE).   The case is a long way from being settled, and may result in over $1 billion in damages from the NFL.
•  Youth football participation is on the decline in America.  Although the NFL and youth football believe that it is due to the decline in the economy, and not related to TBIs and other related injuries, I believe that there is a correlation and would have a difficult time allowing a young child to play full-contact football.
• The NFL is concerned about the portrayal of youth football contained in FNT.  They may project the idea that it is because of the actions of the coaches and parents, but injuries to children are prevalent in the series, as well.
• Youth football leaders have felt the need to speak out on the perception created by the show, while carefully refraining from mentioning concussions, TBIs or CTE.  Also, the TYFA president felt the need to let those of us outside of the great state of Texas that we just may not understand that his league's games are like an NFL game...c'mon buddy...you're talking about 9 year olds.
• TBIs and youth football are impacting our country to the point that state legislatures are passing laws outlining procedures and practices to ensure the safety of our youth.  See how your state has legislated to protect youth football players.

As a lifelong baseball fan, the current situation in which football in America finds itself is eerily similar to the fanaticism that surrounded the MLB's rise in popularity in the 90's.  Baseball's participation crisis is the result of steroid-fueled home run records.  Football's participations crisis is a result of the number of and science behind concussions, naturally present in the game...along with a myriad of other head and neck injuries.

Major League Baseball is still wading through the aftermath of the steroid era's bloated records and muscle bound hysteria crash, resulting in the RBI program and other outreach efforts.  The long-term effects of the "concussion" era of football may be similar to the effects on its players' bodies and minds, not truly felt until much later, but for now there's the Heads Up program.

I am an avid sports fan, football included.  I root for the Vols and Titans with as much passion as anyone.  Yes, in higher levels, if we are going to continue to embrace football, we need to concentrate on teaching the correct ways to tackle, helpful tips to avoid injury, and accept the idea that injuries can and will continue to happen, even with new precautionary measures and marketing campaigns.  However, the hesitations outlined here are in relation to young children, who are still growing, developing, and are not as capable of safely participating in an activity like full contact football and with full knowledge of the cumulative effects on their bodies.