Seahawks versus Broncos, it won’t be long now. Super Bowl 48 kicks off in just a couple of days. In light of the national conversation about sports-related concussions and long-term damage – and with the most high profile football game of the season just hours away now – HLN producer Jon Anker asks several NFL players: “Would you let your own kids play football?”
Jon Ryan, Seahawks punter: “That’s a tough call. I started playing tackle football at the age of 7. It’s always been something I did. I had a number of concussions coming up.”
“I think I’d steer him toward the punting thing like I did myself and kind of avoid those kind of head injuries. But that’s definitely a tough call. But if I did have more concussions, or if I do have problems when I’m 40 I might answer that question differently. But right now in the moment, things are perfect.”
Brandon Mebane, Seahawks defensive tackle: “Yeah, I’d let my son play. I wouldn’t let him play, like, I don’t think they need to play Pop Warner. I didn’t play Pop Warner. I feel like you don’t wanna burn them out and get a lot of injuries. I’d rather have them start in high school. I’d have him play flag football.”
Clinton McDonald, Seahawks defensive tackle: “My own dad, he didn’t want us getting too exposed to the rigors of it too early. I didn’t start playing until I was 13. But as of now, with the better equipment, better helmets, I wouldn’t mind my son playing football if that’s what he wants to do.”
Steven Johnson, Broncos linebacker: “Of course. Football is something that’s in your blood, you can’t take it out of you. It’s a safe sport, you just have to know how to play it safe. Tackle with your head up, run with your head up. You always have to use your hands, basic fundamentals.”
“You can get hurt, but you can get hurt doing anything. You only get one life to live, so you might as well do it to the fullest. And that’s what we do.”
See the full story on HLNTV.com
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar in media studies, he’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on ESPN, NBC, CBS and Fox Sports Radio. A former writer for NBCChicago.com and WashingtonTimes.com, he’s also been featured on the History Channel. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)