Tragic Deaths of Young Players in Alabama Spark Renewed Concerns Over Football Safety

Two young football players tragically died on the same day in Alabama and West Virginia, bringing back concerns about the safety of youth football. The incidents involved a 13-year-old boy, Cohen Craddock, from West Virginia, and a 16-year-old high school player from Alabama. Both suffered fatal brain injuries while playing football.

Ryan Craddock, Cohen’s father, has faced many tragedies in his life as a coal miner and firefighter, but losing his son has been the hardest. Despite his love for the sport, Craddock now believes that more safety measures need to be put in place to protect children playing football.

There is ongoing debate about whether the benefits of football are worth the risks, especially for young players. Some have suggested banning tackle football for younger children, but these proposals have not gained much support. At the same time, fewer children are playing tackle football, and many are turning to flag football, which is considered safer.

In 2023, three young football players died from head injuries, and 10 others died from other causes like heatstroke, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. Dr. Robert Cantu, the medical director of the organization, noted that while two deaths in a week are concerning, it would be more alarming if this trend continued over several weeks.

Cantu has long advocated for no tackling in football for kids under 14 and suggests using non-collision methods in practice, such as tackling dummies, to avoid head injuries. He also recommends that children play flag football until they reach high school. Flag football is growing in popularity, especially among girls, and will be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Efforts to ban tackling in youth football have faced strong opposition. For example, a New York lawmaker tried for 10 years to pass such a law without success. However, progress has been made in other areas. All 50 states now have laws requiring athletes with suspected concussions to be removed from play and cleared by a medical professional before returning.

Some coaches and experts believe that football is safer now than ever before due to rule changes and new technology. Loren Montgomery, a successful high school coach in Oklahoma, points to penalties for helmet-to-helmet contact and new equipment like Guardian caps as measures that reduce injury risk.

Guardian caps, used in the NFL and youth leagues, provide extra protection, but they are expensive and need to be replaced frequently. Despite these challenges, Craddock is considering introducing them at his son’s middle school in Cohen’s memory.

As he mourns, Craddock has found the strength to speak to his son’s teammates, encouraging them to move forward and play in Cohen’s honor. "I wanted them to play ‘Cohen strong,’" he said.