Should Your Child Play Football? Tackling the Pros and Cons - Episode 90 S3E3

In this episode of Ten Kids Two Docs, pediatricians and co-hosts Dr. Sylvia Bank and Dr. Vivian Carlin are joined by guest Dr. Jendi Haug—a pediatric ER doctor, high school football coach's wife, and mom to two football players—to tackle the complex decision of whether children should play football. The doctors weigh the powerful benefits of the sport, including strong community engagement, discipline, selflessness, and screen-free physical activity, against its significant risks, most notably concussions, physical injuries, and mental health pressures like eating disorders. Ultimately, the hosts provide an honest, multifactorial framework to help parents evaluate their child's personality, physical readiness, and family boundaries to make the best, guilt-free decision possible.

Resources:

Halstead, M. E., McAvoy, K., Devore, C. D., Carl, R., Lee, M., Logan, K., Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, & Council on School Health. (2013). Returning to learning following a concussion. Pediatrics, 132(5), 948–957. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-2867

After a Concussion: When to return to School https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/After-a-Concussion-When-to-Return-to-School.aspx

Sports Related Concussion: Understanding Risks, Symptoms, and Recoveryhttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Sports-Related-Concussion-Understanding-the-Risks-Signs-Symptoms.aspx

Brenner, J. S. et al (2015). Tackling in youth football. Pediatrics, 136(5), e1419–e1430. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3282

Musinski, R. (2015, October 25). Zero tolerance for improper, illegal tackling in youth football: AAP. AAP News. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/15053/Zero-tolerance-for-improper-illegal-tackling-in

American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, & Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine. (2026). The adolescent athlete and the team physician: A consensus statement: 2025 update. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 58(2), 371–402. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003863

Kerr, Z. Y. et al (2022). Head games: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining concussion and head impact incidence rates, modifiable risk factors, and prevention strategies in youth tackle football. Sports Medicine, 52(6), 1259–1272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01609-4

EPISODE CREDITS: Hosts - Sylvia Bank, MD and Vivian Carlin, MD

Special Guest - Dr Jendi Haug, MD

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00:00 Welcome to Ten Kids Two Docs

00:33 Should Your Child Play Football?

02:05 Starting Football and Choosing the Right Age

04:09 The Community and Life Lessons of Football

08:44 The Risks and Realities of Football Injuries

14:39 Concussions, Prevention and Safer Play

19:01 Preseason Physicals and Football Safety Guidelines

21:23 The Takeaway: Making the Right Decision for Your Child