Frontline's A League of Denial explains how the glorification of violence plays a role in head injuries in the National Football League. The touchdown receives the loudest cheer, while tackles, sacks, or knockouts are given the second. Spectators, as well as players, live for the "hard hitting, punishing, brutal defense " that has all become just a part of the sport. Although head injuries in the NFL likely cause brain disorders later in life, should the community be worried about the effect of football on its youth? The answer is yes. Little League football is a crucial first step to learning, as well as understanding, the game. At this age, competition can be prevalent, but violence typically only factors in from the parents and other spectators. According to Mark Gould, 3.5 million children aged five to fifteen are engaged in the extracurricular of football. Recently, the same concerns about concussions brought up about the NFL in Frontline's documentary have surfaced for the younger players. Although little to no violence plays out on these fields, youth are at a greater risk for concussions and brain injuries than their professional counterparts. The reason for this heightened threat lies in the myelin of the brain. At a young age, the brain is not myelinated completely and this causes the axons to be weaker than that of older individuals. When struck in the head, children's brains are more easily damaged. Although concussions do not occur often in this age group, precautions are being taken by the organizations that make these events possible. Trained in concussion recognition, coaches play an active role on the sideline in scouting out possible red flags on the field. The children themselves are also limited in player-to-player contact during practice and restrictions are placed on certain rough drills as well. Although the extent of the damage done to these young brains is unknown, it is safe to assume that concussions, no matter how few, are still at play without the factor of violence.
