High school football deaths have parents, pediatricians concerned

A growing concern about the dangers of high school football.

In the first seven weeks of this season, there have been seven deaths nationwide related to the sport. The United States saw 11 all of last year!

The latest tragedy, 17-year-old Andre Smith, who died from blunt force injuries Friday after a hit to the head during a game in Chicago.

Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics tackling the issue, releasing new recommendations on how to keep kids safe on the field:

Most importantly, zero tolerance for illegal and dangerous hits.

“We need to stop the head to head hits and make sure kids are being taught the proper tackling technique,” said Dr. Greg Landry with the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Is that happening in El Paso? Are local kids being taught the right way to play?

In order to play youth football in El Paso, all Parks and Rec coaches and parents must attend a class to learn the right way to tackle. In high school, football officials stress the heads-up rules, even issuing penalties and ejecting players if needed.

In addition to concerns about head first hits, the American Academy of Pediatrics would like to see the expansion of non-tackling leagues, so kids can choose to participate without injury risks, and athletic trainers on the sideline at all times, including practices.

“It is very frightening,” said Cathy Lightbourn, mother of Cathedral quarterback Chris Lightbourn, who she wouldn’t let play tackle football until high school.

But that didn’t keep him from getting a concussion in his first game. Lightbourn said his doctor said: “Another one and you’re out and if continue to play you’ll have to find a new physician. Him being fit and hopefully the referees taking every precaution to protect him and the other players gives me peace of mind.”

El Paso football official Jaime Garcia, past president of the local association told ABC-7: “At the beginning of the year, it’s a point of emphasis. We show lots of videos on it and it has been the big topic the last couple of years. The problem is not all coaches always attend.”

“It’s part of the game. It is a contact sport,” said Scott McFarland, whose stepson Erin Portillo is a senior wide receiver for Eastwood, who has also suffered a concussion. “We do have that good communication where he will tell me if something doesn’t feel right. I will be the first one to tell the coaches he can’t play.”

That communication is key to identifying head injuries.

District officials said while coaches may not always attend officials meetings, the University Interscholastic League does require them all to go through concussion management and protocol.