TOLEDO, Ohio —
Fall is here, which means the excitement of football is back.
But some parents may have concerns about the impact of tackle football on their kids' safety.
Last week, CBS News reported two youth football players died of brain injuries related to their time on the field. They are two of at least seven young football players to die nationwide just in August, CBS News reported.
Aaron Sage, program manager for Nationwide Children's Toledo Athletic Training Services said contact sports bring an inherent risk of injury.
"Every impact has some resulting effect potentially," Sage said. "That's still being researched."
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Sage said the best way to avoid these injuries and risks is simple: don't participate.
"There is that inherent risk in any sport," Sage said. "Not just football. You're seeing it in youth soccer."
But many young athletes still want to participate in contact sports. For youth football players in northwest Ohio, there may be a safer alternative than full-fledged football.
Ed Price started FNA Toledo, a chapter of a national organization that offers youth flag football leagues. He said he brought FNA to Toledo five years ago to give families an alternative to tackle football for their young children.
Price said he isn't against tackling in football, but wants to ensure the youngest and most vulnerable athletes aren't unnecessarily put at risk.
"I don't in any way want to be anti-tackle because I love football and support tackle football," said Price. "At the same time, I know at the younger ages, it's not necessarily the best way to learn,."
Since then, he said it has absolutely taken off.
"Parents' feedback – they're definitely interested because of the lack injury," he said. "We've got former NFL players, we've got former starting NFL players with the same perspective."
Price isn't trying to take athletes away from contact football. Many of his players go through his flag program until middle or high school, before switching to tackle.
Price said it also helps them learn the basics of the game without taking hits.
"They're able to work on getting better at passing, getting better at reading defenses, playing defenses, without that worrying of getting hit over and over and not shying away – it only makes them better," Price explained.
Sage said learning those proper skills safely can make a difference.
"It comes down coaching," Sage said. "Educating the coaches, educating the parents, educating the kids on technique to help mitigate some of those risks."
To learn more about FNA Toledo, click here.
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