Football or No Football, That is the Question

I love football. I really do. I enjoy tossing the football around with the boys and I really enjoy catching college and professional games on television. Heck, I even go to squeeze in a high school game now and then. I grew up playing and watching football with my older brother and I haven’t lost interest in the sport yet. Unfortunately, neither of my boys shares my passion for football. I have tried to get them to watch a game with me, but they just aren’t interested. Neither of my sons has expressed even the slightest interest in football, so I was shocked a couple of weeks ago when my oldest told me he was thinking about playing football in the fall.

I was shocked, but also happy. I have been quietly hoping that my son would catch the football “bug” and at least try the sport when he was old enough. Sure enough, he told me that he was going to try-out for the fifth- and sixth-grade team at his school. With the enthusiasm of a proud papa, I signed him up for the “summer conditioning” program with his coach and carted him to the 6:30 am sessions. Although neither of us liked getting up at 6:15 every Tuesday and Thursday, we managed to do it and my son seemed to do well. As the weeks progressed, my son became less “sold” on the idea of playing football. At first, I thought he just didn’t like the 6:30 conditioning sessions or that he was afraid of getting tackled. Soon it became apparent that he just isn’t interested in football.

I can’t help but admit that I was disappointed when my son told me he doesn’t think he is going to play football this year. I started playing tackle football in the fourth-grade, played through middle school and into high school. I have been looking forward to my son following in my footsteps. Although I respect his decision and won’t force him to play, I am concerned that he will feel left out at school this coming year. All of his good friends, and almost every boy in his grade, are going to play. I am afraid that he is going to regret his decision once the school year starts and he sees how many of his classmates are playing football.

Now part of me desperately wants him to play because I love the game so much. Another part of me is relieved that he doesn’t want to play because I am worried about the growing number of football related injuries. Mostly though, I want him to be happy at school.

So should I respect his decision and hope that he doesn’t regret it? Or should I encourage him to a least try-out for football with all his friends and classmates so he doesn’t feel left out?