Just wondering what others think about this recent development:

Not Safe for Children? Football’s Leaders Make Drastic Changes to Youth Game

A snippet:

Quote:The organization has created a new format that brings the game closer to flag football and tries to avoid much of the violence in the current version. Among the rule changes: Each team will have six to nine players on the field, instead of 11; the field will be far smaller; kickoffs and punts will be eliminated; and players will start each play in a crouching position instead of in a three-point stance.

“The issue is participation has dropped, and there’s concern among parents about when is the right age to start playing tackle, if at all,” said Mark Murphy, the president of the Green Bay Packers and a board member at USA Football.

Personally, I think it makes a ton of sense IF the new format is actually demonstrated to be safer in the long term. The head injury data are just stacking up too high to ignore. And I know there are those who think there are values that football can only instill in its full physical glory, but I have a hard time believing those values can't come from somewhere else if a parent is willing to think a little harder. I know there will be those who dismiss this as another step in the wussification of America, and I am interested in hearing those views.

Jon Gruden probably has the most entertaining quote in the article, by the way:

Quote:There are a lot of geniuses out there that are diminishing football right now. There are a lot of geniuses that are trying to damage the game, and ruin the game. Do you feel it? There are a lot of geniuses that want to eliminate all sports, including recess.

I'm pretty sure that after that, he removed a shiny homemade hat and passed around a petition to bring back the Flying Wedge.