Perhaps in 2030 and beyond we get to a point that only elite high school athletes play football. The average Joe's of the world might not ever play at that point, too many reason not to play. I remember talking a couple of years ago to a guy I grew up with who was big, not the most athletic guy but big. He had a decent high school career. He told me leaving 8th grade (in the late 1970s) to play high school football he was scared to death, but he was even more scared not to play, considering the abuse he would take. He said football helped him become a tougher person in life. He believes the lessons it taught him helped him get through some very tough obstacles thrown his way later in life.
So many athletic looking neighborhood boys tell me and my kids that they have no desire to play football because it does look hard and rough. They also have no aspirations beyond high school for playing sports. I am not faulting any of their judgement and decisions. They are probably a lot more realistic than I was at their age. Honestly, when I was 12 (late 1970s)I think the majority of my friends and I thought we would play some sport at the college level, none of us did. As silly as that may sound, I believe dreaming about that stuff when you are 12 or in your early teens is healthy. The lessons learned (the good, the bad and the ugly) of playing team sports helped me and my friends to understand people and the tough road that sometimes you must travel when you become an adult. We live in different times now, not saying that is bad or good, just different times.
I played soccer and wrestled in high school in the early 1970's.
I liked soccer,and loved wrestling.
I never considered participating in either sport in college,because I didn't think I was good enough.
I got asked to try out for O.U.'s men's soccer team when the coach saw me kicking against a wall.
Wasn't a star,but I made the team.
When I transferred to F.D.U.,I saw a friend of mine from high school who was on their wrestling team.
I had him ask their coach if I could work out with the team to stay in shape.
After a few practices the coach invited me to join the team.
Ended up starting for 2 seasons.
I agree 100% with the lessons learned in sports carrying over in your life.
As I've also posted ,thanks to soccer and wrestling I have a very bad knee and a shoulder that,after being separated my senior year in college, can predict the weather.
But,as I've also posted,if I had the chance to go back and do everything again,I would.
It is a different world.
My nephew tried out for H.S. football.
Big kid,but LAZY.
He quit because it was too hard having to practice in the late Summer heat.
Same thing,a lot of the H.S. wrestling teams have trouble getting kids,
especially for the upper weights.
Why ?
Too hard,including controlling their weight.
They'd rather hang out in the weight room or throw a shot during indoor track.
One kid even said "at least the track team has girls".