APThe father of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady recently made a stir by suggesting that Brady Sr. would be be “very hesitant” to let his son play football if he were a young boy in 2012.
Generating far less attention was Brady Sr.’s concession that, if Brady Jr. were 14 now, “and he really wanted to play,” Brady Sr. would still let him.
Brady Jr. has now chimed in on the situation, in comments to our friend and colleague (I need to say nice things so he keeps sending in the links) Tom Curran of CSN New England.
“Everybody has a different take,” Brady said. “My dad is always happy to share his opinion with anybody that will ask, often contrary to my own beliefs.”
Brady then explained that, like remarks from earlier in the month made by Kurt Warner, Tom Brady Sr. spoke form the perspective of basic parental concern.
“He’s always a concerned parent and we as parents are always concerned about our kids,” Brady said. “You never want to see your kid fall down and bump his elbow. You’re always concerned when things are out of your control as a parent.
“But there’s no job I’d rather have in the world. I’m so fortunate to be in a job that’s so fun for me every day. What football has taught me in the grand scheme of my life about being a part of a team and working with people and hard work, discipline and mental toughness — all those things that serve me in life. The lessons far outweigh anything I’ve experienced in terms of injuries.”
That’s the balance every parent and player eventually has to strike. As long as the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks, kids will want to play football. And their parents in all likelihood will let them.
“[W]e all understand the risks and we have to do our best,” Brady said. “I love playing this sport. It will be hard to give it up.”
Curran also points out something that needs to be remembered as the “should kids play football?” debate continues. The game is safer at every level than it ever has been, and it will only get safer.
Will there still be risks? Sure. But unless we want our children’s only activity to consist of playing Trivial Pursuit from the wrong side of a plastic bubble, there will always be risks.
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Frist to say a father love we have it.
What is Brady Sr worried about, I mean the officials try their best to make sure no one touches Tom Terrific…I mean really let’s take an overall look at all of the players that have ever played the game and how many are truly suffering from concussion like symptoms…I’d say the there is greater chance the rest of the body may have more issues with knees, hips, well joints in general.
While I mostly agree with the general sentiment, the flaw with the last paragraph (and ultimately the conclusion by Mr. Florio) is that the choice is Football (with the risks included) or “Trivial Pursuit” (i.e., some non-physical activity).
Kids can, and should, be participating in vigorous physical activity, especially with growing waistlines at younger ages. But there are many options by which to achieve this.
To present the argument as “Kids should play Football or lead a dull risk-free life” is wrong, and if those that love the sport present that as the only argument, they will ultimately lose the argument.
Many parents will conclude that you can get all the rewards of physical activity, team work, scholarships and maybe even a career as an adult by participating in sports that carry less risk than Football.
If you want to advocate for the sport, make a more conclusive argument.
Parents also don’t want their kids to be rock stars or actors or get into drugs, but amazingly there are lots of rock starts, actors, and drug addicts (often the same people).
PS: Please ignore duplicate above.
hey hendawg, look up RTP penalties and the QBs who get the benefit of them the most. TB isn’t even top 5. Now if you want to complain that he lawyers for calls, sure he does. So do most other QBs from time to time.
I love how TB basically said his dad talks to much. He’s said that before when his dad talked about his injuries to the media. It’s part of why he no longer tells his dad when he’s hurt. BB>his dad on that one.
Football is a physical sport…period. If you don’t know how to take precautions to protect yourself, then its your own fault if you get a concussion.
Mom’s and Dad’s don’t think twice about their kids playing soccer even though there are many more concussions playing soccer than football. They are always clunking their heads together as they look down at the ball, and heading the ball has been proven to cause brain trauma. I’d rather have my son play football than soccer. Its safer.
If my parents wouldn’t have stopped me from playing football at a young age… i would have been a better QB than brady…
fact!
“playing Trivial Pursuit from the wrong side of a plastic bubble”
“I’m so sorry. It’s “The Moops.” The correct answer is “The Moops.”"
Hey, someone had to do it. Surprised it took this long.
“But unless we want our children’s only activity to consist of playing Trivial Pursuit from the wrong side of a plastic bubble, there will always be risks.”
What makes it so difficult is that the only choices parents have are football or Trivial Pursuit inside a bubble. If only there were more options available!!
Brady’s interview on WEEI was much more interesting. Lots of detail about Welker, being a WR for the Pats, etc. Check it out.
He definitely would not be married to Gisele, probably worth any long term effects
Moops!