My daughter wants to try out for Varsity Football

[Poker_Babe]

I had a talk with her about all of the pros and cons, and now she's reconsidering whether she really wants to do football or get back into Taekwondo and work towards her black belt instead.

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

 

[Crumb]

Out of curiosity/stupidity from my position as little English girl who only ever watches American football for the arses in tight pants...

If it really is that dangerous as a sport why are things not being changed to make it less dangerous? Or are they?

The big issue is that football is a very ingrained tradition in American culture, and people are dragging their heels to change it because they don't want to change the sport they've always loved. Which is understandable, but a bit foolish given the evidence of brain damage to long-time players.

I still have an issue with the equestrian statistics, though. The point of riding is not to fall off or get trampled, it just happens sometimes (and often to people who don't know how to handle 1200 lb prey animals, thus increasing the risk of injury.) On the other hand, crashing into others/getting knocked down is one of the biggest aspects of football, isn't it? I mean, where would a defensive line be if they couldn't tackle? So it's not really a matter of if a football player gets hurt, but more a matter of when, and how bad.

Then again, what's a good life story without some scars?

same is said for hockey in Canada
people like the fights (myself included) and don't want to see them leave the game but can understand those that want to see it removed from the game.
hockey players, just like football players, knowingly accept a certain level of risk when stepping onto the ice/field, on occasion though, there's a big hit or an accident happens and someone really gets hurt beyond what they've 'acccepted'... that's when the debates starts all over again and lawsuits happen.

 

[Bocefish]

First of all, I'd find out her real motivation for wanting to play. If it's just the boy crush motivating her, then I would definitely say no. If it's truly the sport she loves, then I'd ask her what position(s) she wants to try out for and have an educated conversation together. I'd also ask the coach what his thoughts were on the subject. It's also a pretty expensive sport equipment wise, especially with today's helmet requirements, so I'd make doubly sure she's serious about it.

Unless she's approximately the same size, build and strength of the other players, anything other than QB, kicker, or possibly safety is probably a real bad idea. I'd be willing to bet MOST guys will definitely target her for a hurtin' just because she's a girl, while a select few may actually take pity on her.

Women have their own football league for a reason.

:twocents-02cents:

 

[Finebrush]

Based on what we've been hearing about concussions in football lately, I'd be wary of it, not because she's a girl but because it's risky for anybody.

^^ This. Without any doubt, be it a girl or a boy.

I know any sport can be practiced more or less safely, but...Those are my 2c.

 

[Gen]

I'd be willing to bet MOST guys will definitely target her for a hurtin' just because she's a girl, while a select few may actually take pity on

That is so fucked up to me :shock:

 

[Bocefish]

So did your daughter decide to try out?

Just saw this story on the news and thought about this thread.

Watch what happens when a 130 pound woman gets hit by a 240+ pound linebacker.

Jennifer Welter, who since 2004 had played linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women's Football Alliance, isn't advocating that women play against men. She mostly wants the world to know that women are passionate about football, too, and that women's leagues deserve more visibility and to play on bigger stages.

"I've thought of all the reasons why I might be the wrong person to do this. 'You're too small, you're too this, you're too that,' " she said. "The truth is if I can change the game, literally, for any of those girls, it's worth it.

"Because it's really not about me. It's about them and the future of the sport."

 

[eclipse76]

Are all sports mixed in the U.S.? It sounds weird to me that boys and girls play together. Even at school, we were almost always split by gender for basketball, baseball, football (soccer).

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Are all sports mixed in the U.S.? It sounds weird to me that boys and girls play together. Even at school, we were almost always split by gender for basketball, baseball, football (soccer).

No, most are not mixed at all. However, most schools have it in the rules that do allow girls to be on the boys teams if they wish to and qualify after tryouts. Which in some smaller schools means they are automatically on the team since there's not many players anyway.