Is High School Football Too Dangerous?

A St. Petersburg teen had a leg amputated over the weekend due to a game-related injury.

In early October, three high school football players died in a single week due to game-related activities. Two of those players died following collisions on the field. The third collapsed during pre-game warm-ups, Time reported.

In the St. Pete case, Leshawn Williams, a senior defensive lineman for Northeast High School, suffered a knee injury during the end of the first half of the team’s match-up against Clearwater. The teen was taken to the hospital where blood clots began to cause circulation problems in the affected leg. Williams’ lower right leg was ultimately amputated over the weekend.

In 2013, eight high school football players died as a result of playing the game, Healthline reported. Half of those injuries occurred during actual games. Most of the deaths were related to brain injuries.

While the numbers pale in comparison to the statistics related to teen deaths in motor vehicle accidents, some have questioned whether the sport can survive on high school fields across the country.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in America. In 2011, an estimated 2,650 teens ages 16-19 died in crashes.

What are your thoughts on the sport? Is it too rough for high school? Share your opinions by commenting below!

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See Also:

• Northeast High Football Player Loses Leg to Injury

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