High School Football is too dangerous, By Jeremy Strand
This month, three students in the United States have died playing high school football. Cohen Craddock, Caden Tellier, Semaj Wilkins. All three students, eager to play football for their school. All three dead. With these deaths taking over the national spotlight, the conversation has come up once again as to whether high school football should continue to be a sport. Fans of football say that with the proper safety equipment and training, football can be a fun way to earn discipline, build character, and create friendships that last a lifetime. Critics say that with the amount of injuries, some of which can be life threatening, it is too much of a risk for the rewards football gives.
Head trauma and heat stroke are not to be taken lightly. Two of the students were killed by head-on collisions with other players, while one student died of an unknown medical emergency.
In this day and age, should football continue to be a high school sport? Are the promised benefits such as discipline, team comradery, and pure fun really worth the risks? Broken bones and torn ligaments, not to mention the potentially life changing concussions and head injuries. What will it take to protect our high school students?
“Football is too dangerous cause there’s too many head injuries and concussions”, said Junior Robert Strentford. “I was going to play freshman year but my mom didn’t let me, and now I’m glad I didn’t play.”
Instead of football, students can switch over to less dangerous sports such as basketball, baseball, volleyball, or track and field. All of these options sport much less injuries, and can be picked up on rather quickly.
Some might say that football is a great way to build character, discipline, and a good work ethic. While this is true, there are countless other sports that can do the same thing, and are not nearly as dangerous. Another way to build discipline is to simply exercise and workout at the gym. Football can also be a great way to meet new friends, and simply have fun. However, there are plenty of other ways to meet new people and have fun without worrying about life altering head injuries. Clubs, other sports, or even striking up a conversation with someone next to you in class are all injury free ways to accomplish the same goals.
It is time we start thinking about the consequences that football brings, and the pain it endures on our player’s bodies. Should we continue this borderline barbaric game, or should it become a relic of the past?
Football is essential to High school Life, By Danny Diaz
For most high schools across the nation, Friday Night Lights are just about underway for the 2024 season. High school football is for the community. Relatives, students, teachers, and really the whole school all come together to have a good time and watch two programs battle it out on the gridiron. The sport has always been seen as dangerous for some, and although freak accidents have occurred in recent times, I think football is a safe and an important sport that kids should play. I do not think anything should be changed regarding high school football and I do not think high school football should be terminated. Football brings way more to the table than just playing on a field. It brings an abundance of skills and life lessons including leadership, discipline, respect, resilience, and many more. The bond of a football team is like no other.
“We are not just teammates but these are my best friends on and off the field. I see them everyday and the bond between us is strong. A football team is the strongest bond I’ve been a part of.” Said junior varsity football player Rover Ojendis.
Yes, it is important for the coaches to teach well and safely, while the equipment has to remain safe to use and updated, but that is just like any other sport. Without the correct teaching and the right equipment you can get injured, and that is when freak accidents take place. Football also brings opportunities for these students to pursue it in college. The NFL is the most popular sport in the United States and loved by many, so the effects of banning football in high schools would even affect the NFL. I do not see a world where that does not exist. Football is a safe sport when taught well and correctly, and it is necessary for bringing the community together for entertainment.
