Poll: Do you want your kid playing high school football?

Friday Night Lights is a tradition all over the country, but never more so than it is down South.
I remember covering the Ft. Valley, Georgia High School football team, and taking in what passed for pizza with an ice-cold Bud after the game.

Something very Americana about that!

But now the idea of Friday Night Lights is being put under a spotlight if you’ll pardon the pun.
It seems with the increased attention to the number of injuries sustained – and in some cases, even death – that high school football in particular is one sport parents don’t want their kids to play.
Wednesday night on Long Island is one example.

There, a Shoreham-Wading River High School football player died Wednesday night, this after taking a massive blow to the head by an opponent. He underwent surgery but later died from his injury.

According to a statement released by the superintendent of the district:

"The Shoreham-Wading River School District community is terribly saddened to learn of the tragic death of Tom Cutinella, a high school junior and varsity football player. Tom passed away after colliding with an opponent in Wednesday night's game against Elwood John H. Glenn High School."

"Tom played football for the district since he entered the high school in ninth grade, becoming a member of the varsity team this year. In addition, Tom played lacrosse and was a member of the Natural Helpers program, which focuses on peers helping peers. He excelled academically, had a great sense of humor and was just a great individual overall. He was well-liked among students and staff and he will truly be missed."

It would seem that having played since he was a freshman, coupled with the fact that he also played lacrosse – not exactly for the light-hearted – he, along with his parents’ encouragement, took great joy in athletic competition.

Those are the risks we take.

I would love, as any grandfather would, to see my grandson partake in some sort of athletic program. In fact, I’d always tell my daughter that he should be encouraged to be a running back – to which she is adamantly opposed.

Fine – she’s raising him – not me!

But there are many who feel as she does – that the risks outweigh the benefits.

Are you concerned with your kid playing football? What sports did you play and were you ever injured?