There is a saying in American culture: “Football is life.” While this may sound corny, for so many in this country, that saying is completely true.

American football, a sport watched by a majority of households in the country, according to S&P Global, and played by over one million high school and college students, according to the Football Foundation, is crucial to the American way of life.

There are numerous benefits to having football in our communities, both socially and economically. At the high school level, football can serve as the glue that binds a community together. Every weekend, teenagers gather at their schools to watch football games and support local athletes. They are often joined by their family and neighbors who all come together to support the local high school. This creates a positive atmosphere that not only encourages community-building for the non-students but it also promotes school spirit for the students.

Not only is high school football crucial for the United States socially, but it is also economically beneficial. According to the Daily Journal, a Northeast Mississippi-based newspaper, football ticket sales at one Mississippi high school, Pontotoc High School, accounted for almost 70% of the athletic department’s revenue. For underfunded schools, cutting football would cause a huge drop in their revenue. As a result, they would not only be forced to spend less on athletics, but also on the rest of the school’s needs.

Another example of football’s economic advantages is when the Los Angeles Rams moved from St. Louis to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in 2017, which caused the city to experience huge economic growth. According to the Daily Breeze, a Los Angeles-based newspaper, Inglewood had a 17.5% unemployment rate before the creation of the stadium which decreased to 5% after. This means that many local residents now are able to earn an income close to home when they couldn’t before, all thanks to American football.

Without a football stadium orteam, cities like Inglewood would struggle economically. Similarly, high schools in  rural or poor parts of the country without sufficient funding or affluent Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) would have even more limited resources for school activities.

There is no denying that football may not be the safest sport out there. But then again, most sports carry some element of risk. Football is an indispensable part of American society. So, why not celebrate all the ways this quintessentially American sport enriches our lives?

Growing up, I was constantlyt old by my neurosurgeon grandfather to always “wear a helmet” or “protect that head at sports,” as he warned me of the dangers of lasting brain damage. Seeing CT scans of damaged brains of patients who lost their cognitive abilities gave me perspective on the harms of brain trauma. It is terrifying to think that athletes would choose to participate in a sport as dangerous as football.

According to a Gallup Poll, tackle football is the most-watched sport in America. Americans of all ages and demographics love the sport and many parents find great pride in sending their young children to tackle football teams. Despite the cultural importance that the NFL and tackle football bring, there are serious consequences for tackle football players that drastically affect their later lives.

The Alzheimer’s Association classifies chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a condition caused by repeated blows to the head, leading to lowered life expectancy and the development of dementia. There is no treatment for CTE, however there is a way to stop it at the source. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), tackle football players are the biggest CTE patient group. Every year of tackle football results in a 15% increased chance of CTE.

To a child, playing football is a fun activity, not a sport that likely leads to disastrous chronic disease later in life. With children’s brains and therefore judgment not fully developed, adults must discontinue their children’s participation on tackle football teams, as they can save kids from lasting brain trauma later in life. Sports are an outlet for competition, foster team work and provide regular exercise opportunities. Athletics are an important developmental activity for children and a way for them to gain skills crucial for interacting with the world. However, no amount of positive outcomes from a sport is worth lasting brain trauma.

In 2024, there are endless options for children to play sports. Baseball, basketball and even flag football are all examples of sports that share similar characteristics as football, but without nearly as much proven risk of early onset dementia or CTE. With so many alternatives, it is illogical for tackle football to be offered in school sports, as it can set children up for suffering and cognitive issues later in life. While tackle football brings a sense of community in schools, cities and even countries, there are easy ways to pivot those communities to safer sports, as most are rallying for the team itself, not necessarily the sport.

Starting children on tackle football teams at a young age is unnecessary and cruel to children who cam potentially become attached to the sport. It is upon adults to limit the amount of tackle football played, as no sport is worth easily preventable brain damage.