A new PSA video featuring football legend Brett Favre urges parents not to let their children play tackle football before the age of 14, given the risk of long-term neurological damage due to repeated hits in the head. Chris Nowinski, former college football player and professional wrestler and now the CEO of The Concussion Legacy Foundation, joined Jim Braude on Greater Boston to talk about the motivation behind the ad.
Nowinski said research shows that the odds of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) increases with every year a kid or adult plays football.
“We’re going to keep trying to tell parents: Look, even if you love football and want them to play and want to maximize the benefits of the game but minimize the risk of giving you kid a brain disease, you have to start later,” he said. “This game was never meant for kids.”
WATCH: Brett Favre featured in new ad against tackle football for young kids
