TEGA CAY, S.C. -- We know how hard the contact can be between football players at the high school level, but one youth league here in South Carolina says they don't want their kids tackling at a young age.
A new study by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shows that most children with concussions don't go right to the ER. They go to their primary care doctor.
"I think these results will help shift how we count concussions in this country," said Dr. Kristy Arbogast.
Which means more concussions are likely happening in youth sports than previously documented. Concussions are the main reason why Joey Blethen at the Tega Cay Parks and Recreation Department decided to eliminate tackle football for 5- to 11-year-olds.
"Our main focus as a recreation program is just keeping our participants safe," Blethen said. "And while there's risk in any sports that you do, we look to minimize it as much as we can."
He's not alone in his concerns and says tackle football is on a downward trend with what parents are signing their kids up for.
"Our flag football numbers actually doubled our tackle football," Blethen said.
"Football is a traditional sport that we love in this country and something we're going to continue to offer," said Brown Simpson.
Simpson, over at Fort Mill Parks and Recreation, says they've seen their football numbers drop a little, but they want to give parents the option to get their kids into tackle football early. Still, he says they're aware of the risks and go through the proper safety measures.
"Inspect all of the participants' equipment prior to the season and make sure they're protected, like in any other sport," Simpson said.
Simpson says all of their coaches go through the Heads Up training program to recognize concussion symptoms.