Ryan Craddock had seen his share of tragedy during two decades as a coal miner and firefighter.
Then came the toughest heartbreak of all: his own.
Craddock and his family are mourning the loss of his 13-year-old son, Cohen, who died from brain trauma last month after making a tackle during football practice at his middle school.
Cohen’s death, and the death of a 16-year-old Alabama high school player from a brain injury on the same day, have sparked renewed debate about whether the safety risks of youths playing football outweigh the benefits that the sport brings to a community.
The argument that safety measures lead to increased recklessness is an interesting one. I don’t believe it in general, because reckless people don’t particularly care to research safety factors and margins. But in certain situations it’s surely true.
Here’s my proof that does exist. Please provide yours that shows it doesn’t.
Hockey helmets, face masks, and injurious behavior
Gladiator Gear: The unintended consequences of protective equipment in gridiron football compared to rugby union
What is the role of protective equipment in sport-related concussion prevention?: A review and synthesis of the literature