Football: More Dangerous and Lethal Than You Might Think for Kids

Having covered many, many high school football games both at the varsity and JV level, I can tell you that the sport is stunningly violent and can maim and paralyze a player quite easily.

Granted, the probability of a well-coached player becoming seriously injured during a game is very low, but I have seen serious injuries during games. However, it is during practice where injuries are more likely; there is competition for playing time between players on the same team, coaching tactics which would be considered primitive and brutal by today's cultural standards, and a win-at-all-costs attitude that can lead to lethal consequences.

Mismatches on the field have caused much permanent damage. When a game gets one-sided and reserves get into the game, injury probabilities skyrocket. The kids want to play, not just go through motions, and often take chances when they enter a game in order to please their folks in the stands and their coaches along the sidelines.

Beware of these pitfalls as you begin your football career.