How safe is high school football?

High school football has be criticized as being overly dangerous. Is the game too dangerous, and what safety precautions should be taken?

Photo Credit: Eliza Snow

In the mind of the average American, football is an essential part of high school. High school football is important not only to the people who play, but also to the school and even the community. People love to watch football games, and it gives people a reason to get excited about their school. However, football does have its critics. Players occasionally do get injured while playing football, causing some people to question how safe high school football is.

Football is a rather aggressive sport; no one will deny this. Every year, football players, whether they are playing professionally or on a college or high school team, do get injured. Minor injuries, such as knee injuries, are very common. If knee injuries do not heal satisfactorily, they may prevent high school football players from playing again or going on to play at a college or professional level.

More serious types of injuries, including head injuries, occasionally occur during high school football games; some head injuries are very severe and can even result in death. The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research listed four case studies in which high school football players died as a result of head injuries in 2004. More high school students died during football games or practice from indirect causes, such as heat stroke, genetic disorders, and even lightening. (Frederick O. Mueller, 2005)

When examining the safety of high school football, most indirect fatalities and injuries really should not be taken into account; many of these were random accidents that had very little to do with the actual game being played.

Compared to the thousands of kids who play high school football, the number of serious injuries is quite low. While it is impossible to deny that there is some risk associated with playing football, it is important to remember that all activities, from driving a car to walking in high heels to swimming, come with some sort of risk. Life is, unfortunately, a dangerous endeavor.

In addition to the minor risks associated with the game, high school football also has a lot of benefits. Players develop physical and social skills. Some players get college scholarships, allowing them to receive an education that they might not have been able to afford otherwise. The game also helps to unite schools and get everybody involved in the school outside of academics.

In order to reap the many benefits of high school football while minimizing the already minimal risks, certain safety precautions should be taken. Players should stretch properly before games and practice sessions to avoid knee injuries. Football players should always wear proper padding, helmets, and mouth guards to decrease the severity of any injuries that are incurred. All players should be reminded to drink plenty of water, especially when it is very hot, although water is necessary during cool weather as well. Additionally, all injuries should be examined and treated immediately, even if they appear to be minor. Otherwise, the severity of the injuries might increase. Finally, coaches should teach players not to be overly aggressive.

Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Back Issues | HappyNews.com