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American football is an impactful aspect of American culture, whether at the professional or recreational level. According to the National Football Federation, around 18.6 million viewers tune in annually. In 2023, approximately 5.6 million children over the age of six participated in tackle football. While the passion for football in America is undeniable, the effects on young athletes can harm their development. Despite numerous studies addressing the appropriate age for children to play tackle football, many parents remain uncertain about when it’s safe for their children to start. Although some continue to advocate for youth tackle football, children under the age of 14 should not participate due to the risks of brain damage, orthopedic injuries, and long-term health consequences.

Foremost, youth tackle football can cause irreparable damage to children’s brains. One possible outcome of youth football is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by reoccurring instances of head trauma. Moreover, these repeated head traumas can lead to increased unusual and harmful proteins in the brain, causing cell loss and damaging brain tissue. CTE can also lead to behavioral changes, such as moodiness, memory loss, and trouble balancing.  Several studies have shown that the risk of developing CTE increases the longer children play tackle football; for example, a survey conducted by the Concussion Legacy Foundation found that “the risk of CTE increases by 30% each year, meaning it doubles for every 2.6 years of football played” (“Flag Football”).

Furthermore, the Concussion Legacy Foundation gathered additional evidence from a study on factors contributing to the development of CTE. The study revealed that CTE is not directly linked to the number of concussions sustained while playing football. Instead, it found that the risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) correlates with the number of years spent playing tackle football: “This study concluded that the risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is not linked to the number of concussions but is instead linked to the number of years playing tackle football” (“Flag Football”). Additionally, Jack Shiu of Lighthouse News explains how youth are more prone to permanent brain damage: “Young athletes’ developing brains are more vulnerable to the lasting effects of such injuries, which can include cognitive deficits, memory impairment, and even chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).”

 Along with tackle football imposing risks of CTE, it can also lead to increased concussion rates that have different effects on the body. Exemplifying these high concussion rates, Dr. David Leopold at the National Institutes of Health states that “…football had both the highest concussion rate of any sport studied, and because of the large number of athletes who play, it caused by far the most concussions—nearly as many as the next 10 sports on the list combined.” Dr. Robbins from Robbins Headache Clinic also writes about a study he witnessed: “A Virginia Tech study assessed seven and eight-year-olds over 2 seasons. They wired the helmets with sensors. The young players averaged 100+ hits per season, mostly in practice. Many of these blows exceeded 40 g-forces, and some reached 80 to 100 g-forces…[producing] serious brain damage.” This comparison emphasizes the brute force demonstrated during tackle football and how much a player’s head is at risk of severe brain damage. 

Along with neurological injuries, orthopedic injuries also occur during tackle football. Dr. Brown, a sports medicine expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, provides information about some of the types of possible injuries for children: “Many football-related injuries are musculoskeletal, and involve the lower legs, ankles and feet. Injuries typically include sprains, strains, fractures, and contusions.” This information establishes that tackle football can lead to many injuries throughout the body, consequently causing damage to players’ muscles and bones. Furthermore, the National Council of Youth Sports discusses some more possible injuries in tackle football: “ACL injuries are also seen on the football field, and playing an offensive position is a known risk factor for this injury (tight end, wide receiver, or running back).” This evidence highlights a common injury in youth and reveals the dangers of playing an offensive position. Moreover, Dr. Peterson at the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine writes that: “The most commonly reported injuries in youth football are fractures, sprains, strains, and contusions. The fracture rates have been the most consistent between studies, with 27% to 35% of reported injuries being fractures.” This information further corroborates the conclusion that fractures are increasingly common injuries in tackle football players. 

Finally, tackle football can have long-term effects on the body, leading to lifetime impairment. To start, Boston University’s Thor Stein discusses the impact of white matter damage from tackle football: “Damage to the white matter [explains] why football [are]…more likely to develop cognitive and behavioral problems later in life, even in the absence of CTE.”  This phenomenon demonstrates that repeated head trauma early in life can lead to a plethora of neurological issues in adulthood. Furthermore, Stein continues by explaining the life-hindering effects of tackle football on former players: “In our study, we found that, in those over 50 years of age, lower measures of white matter were associated with an impaired ability to perform normal activities of daily living, such as paying bills, shopping, and cooking, as well as with more impulsive behavior” (Stein). At Washington University, Brian Resnick also provides commentary on CTE: “The symptoms of CTE creep slowly, taking 8 to 10 years to manifest after initial repeated brain traumas.” This research portrays how younger players are more at risk for exhibiting neurological issues later in life. 

In conclusion, youth under fourteen should not participate in tackle football because it can seriously affect their neurological and orthopedic health, causing long-term impairments. A safer alternative is flag football, which involves fewer head impacts and physical contact. Flag football has also been shown to be more effective in player development, with the primary focus being player growth and skills. Along with flag football, many sports researchers suggest playing soccer instead because it still develops social skills and healthy competition while reducing the dangers associated with tackle football. Government legislation should be enacted to ensure children’s safety by restricting youth under the age of fourteen from playing tackle football and prioritizing enhanced protection through helmets and other safety equipment. Overall, kids deserve a fun way to exercise without worrying about the damage to their health. 

Works Cited

Brown, Naomi. “Should Parents Let Their Child Play Football? Weighing the Pros and Cons.” Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 20 March 2024, https://www.chop.edu/news/should-parents-let-their-child-play-football-weighing-pros-and-cons. Accessed 25 January 2025.

“Flag Football Under 14.” Concussion Legacy Foundation, https://concussionfoundation.org/programs/flag-football/. Accessed 24 January 2025.

Leopold, Seth. “Editorial: Orthopaedic Surgeons Should Recommend That Children and Young Adults Not Play Tackle Football.” National Library of Medicine, The Association of Joint and Bone Surgeons, 2016, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4887376/. Accessed 24 January 24.

National Council of Youth Sports. “FOOTBALL INJURIES AND PREVENTION.” American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2022, https://ncys.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022_ST_Football-Injuries-2.pdf. Accessed 25 January 2025.

Peterson, Andrew. “Youth Football Injuries: A Prospective Cohort.” Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2017, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2325967116686784. Accessed 25 January 2025.

Resnick, Brian. “What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain.” McKelvey School of Engineering, 2020, https://engineering.washu.edu/news/2020/What-a-lifetime-of-playing-football-can-do-to-the-human-brain.html. Accessed 25 January 2025.

Robbins, Laurence. “Ban Tackle Football Under Age 12.” Robbins Headache Clinic, 2021, https://robbinsheadacheclinic.com/ban-tackle-football-under-age-12/. Accessed 25 January 2025.

Shiu, Jack. “Protecting Futures: Unraveling the Risks of Youth Tackle Football.” The Lighthouse News, The Lighthouse News, 2023, Protecting Futures: Unraveling the Risks of Youth Tackle Football. Accessed 24 1 2025.

Stuart, Micheal. “Injuries in Youth Football: A Prospective Observational Cohort Analysis Among Players Aged 9 to 13 Years.” Academia, 2002, https://www.academia.edu/18244308/Injuries_in_Youth_Football_A_Prospective_Observational_Cohort_Analysis_Among_Players_Aged_9_to_13_Years. Accessed 25 January 2025.

Tedeschi, Bob. “A study, with some limitations, sees link between youth football and emotional issues in adulthood.” StatsNews, 2017, https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/19/youth-football-concussions-safety/. Accessed 25 January 2025.

Thurston, Andrew. “New BU Study Finds Tackle Football at Young Age Raises Risk for Brain Decline Later.” Boston University, 6 March 2023, https://www.bu.edu/articles/2023/study-tackle-football-at-young-age-raises-risk-for-brain-decline-later/. Accessed 25 January 2025.