Brain Witnesses Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare At Son’s Football Game

When my wife and I were discussing our son playing tackle football, one of the issues we discussed was the potential for injury.  Was it worth it?  We decided that the risk was reasonably low, and Chase began playing tackle football.  What happened during yesterday's game was enough to change any parent's mind.

A running back from Chase's team ran the ball outside and collided with a defender who was making a tackle.  The collision that resulted was loud, violent and scary to watch.  The running back got up.  The defender did not.  It was every parent's worst nightmare.  The medical trainers rushed out and kept the boy flat on his back.  You could tell right away, that this was serious.  After several minutes, one of the trainers called for an ambulance.  The crowd that just minutes ago was cheering and loud, was hushed and concerned.

The good news?  The player was moving his legs, feet and was grasping his mom's hand on the field.  He was still taken by ambulance to a local hospital.  I sincerely wish him nothing but a speedy recovery and a quick return to the field.  But the incident raises questions.

Should an ambulance be required to be on hand for these football games?  Or should a team of paramedics be more readily available instead of the medical trainers?  Those were just some of the questions being tossed around as we put our arms around our son's and headed home Sunday.  A stark reminder that even on a play where both players did nothing wrong, someone can get hurt.