[InChiefsHeaven]

I can't say that football teaches life lessons better than any other sport, but for me, it certainly did. Between the gruelling mental and physical aspect, you have a brotherhood that stays with you. There is a loyalty and commeraderie that I will never forget. You learn your limitations and how to overcome them, or in my case, you learn your limitations and the humility to deal with them. You overcome fear. You deal with unfairness. You get the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory.

Other sports teach this as well, to be sure. But for me, football was way more intense than any other sport when it came to learning these lessons. I didn't want to deprive my son of that opportunity, and he played for many years before giving it up.

I guess, I think that not letting your kid play at the age of 9 or 10 because you are worried about concussions is an over protective reaction. You can't stop your kid always from getting hurt. But I understand parents not wanting to take the risk. To each their own. I just don't like the vilification of a sport (and by extension, the parents who allow their kids to play) that served me well and that I love more than any other. It's almost like, if you love your kids, you WON'T let them play football...and that's bullshit.