Number Of Kids Playing Tackle Football In Downward Spiral

A youth football player gestures before an NFL preseason football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Los Angeles Rams in Oakland, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
A youth football player gestures before an NFL preseason football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Los Angeles Rams in Oakland, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press
A youth football player gestures before an NFL preseason football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Los Angeles Rams in Oakland, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.
A youth football player gestures before an NFL preseason football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Los Angeles Rams in Oakland, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press

Number Of Kids Playing Tackle Football In Downward Spiral

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Since the link between degenerative brain disease and football became widely know about a decade ago, the number of pre-high school kids involved in the sport has been on the decline. Last week, suburban Highland Park’s park district cancelled their tackle football program due to low enrollment.

We talk with New York Times reporter Ken Belson about how much of a hit football has taken at the youth level, and what changes organizers are making to convince parents it’s safe.