Tackle Football? Not For Our Family, Thank You

Our 8-year-old son, Drew, loves sports.  He loves to play sports, he loves watch sports, he loves sports video games.  He has played flag football, since he was 4, little league baseball and basketball since he was 6, and soccer on and off for a couple years.

Drew started playing flag football when he was just 4-years-old. 

But we are at a crossroads.  The company that he used to play flag football with is closing.  So, the spring league was his last.  There are a few tackle football leagues in our area, but he won’t be joining.

Like many families, we worry about concussions.  We especially worry about concussions in Drew.  In his young life, he has already had 2 concussions and he has a history of seizures.

Drew after his first concussion

His first concussion was just a few days after his third birthday.  Drew and I were in a serious car accident.  During the violent collision, something hit him in the head.  He had a huge bump on his forehead and a black eye.  He was diagnosed in the emergency room with a concussion.  We were told the only treatment was brain rest- meaning he wasn’t allowed to do anything- for a few days.  Well, anyone who’s had a 3-year-old knows, that’s nearly impossible! (Plus I had some serious injuries as well, meaning I couldn't chase him around if he got up) A few days later, we started to notice he was having staring spells.  Sure enough, he had an EEG and it was abnormal- he was having seizures.

Drew in the hospital for a week long EEG for seizures

After a bunch of outpatient testing, we ended up spending a week in the hospital for additional tests. In the end, the doctors told us to continue monitoring him.

His second concussion came just this spring.  Drew was on the playground at school and ran headfirst into another child.  The other child was fine but Drew, again, had a huge bump on his head and was diagnosed with a concussion at the emergency room.  

Another emergency room visit, Drew's second concussion

The bump on Drew's head after his second concussion

This concussion was even worse than the first one.  The doctors told us with each concussion, recovery time will be longer.  The only treatment, again, was brain rest.  He was so sick, he just rested in bed or on the couch for about two weeks- no school, and definitely no sports.  We went back to the neurologist for another EEG, since it had been awhile since his last grand mal seizure, we were hoping he had grown out of the seizures.  It was still abnormal- meaning he’s still at high risk for seizures.  

More EEG's, still abnormal 5 years later

Prior to this second concussion, Drew has always said he didn’t think he would ever play tackle football.  But now he’s adamant about it.  He realized the seriousness of a brain injury and doesn’t want to experience it ever again.

Halloween when Drew was 2. He'll always be a fan!

I know this is a hard decision for many families, but for us, we will continue to watch and cheer for our New York Giants, play Madden football on XBOX, and play flag football- even if we have to play in our own backyard.