ReutersThe periodic concerns that come from the parents of boys (or from parents like President Obama who don’t and won’t have sons) regarding whether the young men entrusted to their care will create for some families a potential opportunity.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, for example, has no issue with parents not wanting their sons to play football, because if fewer boys play football it’s be easier for Jim Harbaugh’s son to get to the NFL.
“If President Obama feels that way, then there will be a little less competition for Jack Harbaugh for when he gets old enough,” Jim Harbaugh said Monday, via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “That’s the first thing that jumps in my mind if other parents are thinking that way.”
Jim Harbaugh is thinking that he definitely has a future football player in the household.
“[H]e’s a really big kid,” Jim Harbaugh said. “He’s got an enormous head. . . As soon as he grows into that head, he’s going to be something. It’s early, but expectations are high for young Jack.”
Plenty of fathers throughout the country feel the same way. With the football hierarchy more sensitive than ever regarding the dangers of concussions, the kids who play football now and in the future will see an unprecedented level of safety. Even without those changes, plenty of kids will play football, either because their parents will want them to or when push comes to shove their parents won’t stop them from playing.
So even if fewer kids play at the youth level, there will still be 32 NFL teams and 120-plus Division I-A (or whatever they call it now) college programs handing out scholarships. As Jim Harbaugh astutely points out, fewer players in the pipeline means fewer players jockeying for those spots.
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His son has got an enormous head???? Did his wife step out on him with Peyton Manning or something?
“He’s got an enormous head…” hahaha classic.
My question is this: If a boy has a gigantic head, does that make him more susceptible to head injuries?
This guys is starting to sound as stupid as Rex Ryan. The only difference is that he is actually coaching in the Superbowl…and he doesn’t’ eat deep fried snickers bars….
Not sure about everybody else. But I am sick with all the attacks on the game of football. Whether its Obama, the Seau family or Bernard Pollard with his two cents. Football is a great game. There are risks in alot of the daily activities everybody does. The positives out weigh the potential negatives. The skills my kids would gain playing football that will carry them through life out weigh the risk of something we really dont have control of. Nobody really knows what concussions or repeated hits to the head does to your body. The fact is, the hits affect everybody different. People need to stand up for the great game we love and stem the negative momentum that people who really have no clue have started.
Looks like an orange on a toothpick…
Wonder if Young Jack, the Giant-Headed Boy, is also hyperactive with a scary stare …
What the hell is wrong with deep fried Snickers bars?!
I don’t know that I like the thought of my son wanting to play football.
I’ve seen Obama throw a ball before. His kids have zero future in sports.
Jack is 27. Jim is starting to wonder if he’ll ever grow into that head.
Or, maybe the kid has a really small body for the size of his head.
Jim is weird. He needs to act normal for a change.
“…stem the negative momentum that people who really have no clue have started.”
So, neurologists, brain surgeons, and retired football players have “no clue” about the trauma a human brain sustains from repeated hits on the football field, but you do?
Maybe he should steal Antonio’s Big Head Girlfriend on Nantucket.
While I respect Obama for trying to give a nuanced answer to a complicated issue, the reality is that, while dangerous, football is not the only body-debilitating job in the world.
Ever known any masons or concrete finishers? Roofers? Miners? Timer workers? And OMG have you SEEN The Most Dangerous Catch? Seriously, I’d so much rather play football.
Yes, it’s a dangerous game. Yes, we should openly and earnestly do whatever is possible to make it safer, preferably without losing kickoffs…but we should also acknowledge that sometimes work (and life) just rips you up.
Obama got what he wanted, and the sports press made sure of it and will continue to. Attention during Super Bowl week.
Jim Harbaugh’s kid has a big head. Apple didn’t fall far from the tree on this one.
Harbaugh is funny. His antics on the sidelines can be a little off putting, but he is a funny person.
I know (or hope) this was partially said tounge in cheek, but wouldn’t you want your son to be the best because he’s earned it and better then the other kids, not just because he’s one of the ones that stuck with it while other parents of other kids didn’t let their kids stick with it?
And here’s hoping that kids big head doesn’t contain pops’ big whiny mouth.
Stanford QB recruit
It’s got it’s on solar system!
When Obama offered his opinion that football is too dangerous to allow a son to play, the first thing that jumped into my head was this: would Obama allow his daughters to join the military, which at times can be slightly more dangerous and somewhat more violent than football?
I cannot believe this guy was re-elected.
Football is a meat grinder. To each his own just don’t come looking to sue football.
Son has a big head.
Father has a big mouth.
I wish the niners luck on Sunday but I hope their fans do realize that their Head Coach is an enormous dolt.
I hope he doesn’t turn out anything like Dungy’s, Philbin’s, and especially Andy Reids children. Keeping them secluded and away from the popular crowd isn’t easy…
‘Head, Head, move that head! I call him sputnick!’
That’s because Obama is a bath house type. So of course he wouldn’t want his son playing football. Now grab ass with Raham Emmeual is a different story. I bet his pretend wife could tackle a few.
“that’s a virtual planetoid, has it’s own weather system…heid ! move !”
Jim is not the sharpest tool in the shed….
I can already tell that Jim is going to push his kid into a life of football, whether the boy wants it or not.
Jim Harbaugh said. “He’s got an enormous head. . . ”
I guess the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
I’d give your opening sentence another try.
Interesting peak into the mind of a winner. Everyone should pattern their thought process after Harbaugh. No matter what information you’re given, process it to figure out how to use it to your advantage.
Playing a guy with a giant head so nobody can tackle him without a penalty? Is this like that time they pinch hit a midget so the strike zone was smaller?
Have you seen Obama throw a ball at all? He’ throws like a girl. I’m pretty sure if that if he had sons, the only threat they would be, is the Glee club.
obama better learn that his problems are debt, deficits and jobs…… not football. When he opens his mouth it’s easy to see why this country is in decline.
I agree with Jim on this one. I have a 19 month old son and I can’t wait to watch him play and to coach him.
With all due respect, President Obama’s comments make him sound soft. My father proudly watched me join the military and I can assure you that was a bit more dangerous.
Soon we will be registering our children’s football equipment so they can come around and confiscate it to keep us all safer.
Question: What does have to do with the New York Jets??? Are they thinking about signing the kid to a contract???
Wow talk about giving that kid a complex for life.
Great job dad! You’ve just committed thousands of dollars in child therapy for the future!
I am Jack’s enormous head.
is he talking about his son, Pitbulls, or downs syndrome?
“if fewer boys play football it’s be easier for Jim Harbaugh’s son to get to the NFL”
I’ve read the first sentence of this article several times, tried diagramming it, and tried saying it out loud. What exactly is the author trying to say? Translation, please Mr. Florio…
I think there needs to be a redo on that first sentence for sure. There must be a different way to say that.