Purposefully exposing young people to increased risks of major brain problems - even death - for sport is surely even more ethically complicated than sending young people into this same neurological danger zone as soldiers.
When you train as hard as we do, bad things happen sometimes. It's just part of the sport.
My son was a goalkeeper in soccer, and he luckily never had much head trauma. He never had any concussions or anything. I really wanted him to play football, but now I'm thankful he didn't.
Have I ever left the field with a broken nose, black eye? Yes, numerous times. I've had a broken nose and a few black eyes. It's part and parcel of the game, really.
The type of game I play, I'm going to pick injuries and suspensions, unfortunately.
Exercise has its hazards. Runners are sidelined by shinsplints, freestylists by swimmer's ear, and who hasn't heard of tennis elbow? But the fitness buff of the '90s has a far greater worry. StairMaster Butt.
There are almost no sports within which mortal accidents are not a reality.
Look at rugby, the national sport, you have guys weighing 130kg, 140kg, who can run like sprinters full clip into each other causing brain damage constantly on that field.
You never know what will happen during a tournament: things like injuries, for example.
Injuries are a part and parcel of a player's career.
I do not have a son; if I had a son, I wouldn't necessarily discourage him from playing football, but I don't know that I would encourage him to play, either.
Injuries are a part of the game.
I'm glad that I just played baseball, because I'm sure I had a much longer baseball career than I would've had a football career. I did miss football, but I didn't miss some of the injuries from football.
I would advise kids not to play any sports, such as tackle football, where they are exposed to repeated blows to the head.
As a forward it is always a bit easier to avoid the kind of challenges that can cause impact injuries.
I'd hate to see the game I love go away because it is considered too dangerous and parents are scared to allow their kids to play.
