The game of football fires up 8th grade kicker Brandon Walker.
“I just like that you have be tough to play the game,” said Brandon.Brandon’s father, Jerry, said he is behind his son 100% but his support is often tested when there are accidents on the field.
“When I see a player down on the field I feel for him and his family but in the back of my mind it's just the chance you take when you're playing football,” said Jerry.
On Saturday, Tulane safety Devon Walker was seriously hurt in a head-to-head collision with a teammate during a game with Tulsa. Tulane's team doctor says Walker fractured his spine in the collision.
This accident and reports of other sports related injuries around the country are forcing parents in Green Country to decide how they feel about contact sports and if they will let their children participate.
Malachi Smith has a 4-year-old son and says he doesn't want his son to get hurt but he will support him if he chooses to play football someday. “You can’t deny an American tradition to play football.”
“Full contact sports, they end up having a lot of injuries, neck injuries you see blown out knees all the time,” said Allison Ingram.
Ingram has two young sons and said safety will be a priority but she won’t discourage her children from playing sports for fear of them getting hurt. “It is a concern but you know things happen,” said Ingram.
Some parents told FOX23 after being on the football fields themselves, they are a little more leery about their children participating.
“Now that I am older I wonder if the pains and aches that I feel aren't from those earlier days of playing ball,” said Tony Maxwell.
Whichever side you are on there reminders for players of all ages to consider:
