I remember my son’s doctor telling me when he was an infant to NEVER let him play football b/c of frequent head injuries and permanent damage to the brain that often appeared later in life.
This was years before all the information came out about CTE.
I raised 4 sons, and I always understood that rough-housing is important in a boy’s development. Encouraged them to climb trees, skateboard, and play any sports that interested them — soccer, lacrosse, baseball, basketball, but I drew the line at football when they were young.
My eldest boy wanted to play, but I made him wait until high school. Of course, at that point, he was nowhere near the level of the boys who had been playing since 1st grade, so he was a bench warmer in 9th grade, and then he was over it. All part of my plan....