Talawanda High School Principal not Recommends Kids Stop Playing Football

Talawanda High School Principal not Recommends Kids Stop Playing Football

Dr. Bennet Omalu, the first to identify, describe and name Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) as a disease entity in football players, says don't let kids play football in his Op-Ed for New York Times.

Repeated blows to the head can contribute to permanent brain damage or CTE which Dr. Omalu said causes depression, memory loss, suicidal thoughts, and irreparable brain damage.

Photo: Tom York
Source: Tom York

Reporters in a Computer Assisted Reporting class at Kent State University contacted principals and school board presidents from 17 high schools in Ohio asking for a reaction to Omalu’s Op-Ed. Only six principals and three presidents agreed to make comments.

“I won’t recommend that we stop playing football,” said TomYork, the principal of Talawanda High School. “I don’t think many people read his opinion writing. I still don’t know it would change anyone’s mind whether let their kids play football.”

York didn’t think concussions would cause eliminating football. Only the high cost of playing football games, the academic needs and students' involvement in other activities could make it happen. “I don’t see eliminating football anytime that soon. There are too much traditions and heritage behind it.”

“Athletics is a privilege not a right!” is on the cover of Talawanda Athletics Extra-Curricular Handbook. Located in Oxford, Talawanda High School belongs to Southwest Ohio Conference. Students have many chances to be involved in athletic teams.

York agreed that playing football is risky to kids. But he believed “with appropriate instruction and techniques that keep kids safe can get better.”

All coaches and trainers at Talawanda High School have gone through Heads Up Football, a series of in-person and online courses for coaches to learn better safety procedures and proper tackling drills, according to York.

Another story published at New York Times found no study supporting National Football League’s claim that Heads Up Football had reduced concussion.

Photo: Talawanda High School
Source: https://talawanda.org/ths

At Talawanda High School, all athletes and parents/guardians should sign on the Ohio Department of Health Concussion Information Sheet to indicate that they understand that they have the responsibility to report their/their child’s symptoms to coaches, administrators and health care provider.

York has never heard any concerns about letting kids play football from parents. “If they (parents) did have concerns, they probably would not let their kids play,” said York. “I think they believe it’s an individual decision. It’s the same as allowing your kids to drive a car.”

What parents want is to let their kids involved in sports, get scholarships from universities, play footballs in universities, then go to NFL and make millions of dollars, said York. “The real truth of matter is that’s not gonna happen.”

“It would be my desire that kids concentrate more on being good students academically and going to colleges based on their academic accomplishments as opposed to their athletic accomplishments,” said York. “But parents don’t see it that way."

According to York, the issue of athletic concussion has been discussed at Talawanda Board of Education meeting, regarding the adoption and following the protocol for training athletes for any sports that concussion could occur.

Talawanda High School relies OSSAA on guidelines about how to operate its programs. The principal has not asked attorneys to come up with any policies and rules. 

Mark Butterflied, the president of school board, has not responded to the interview request sent by either phone call or email. Linda Wendt, the Administrative Assistant of the Board of Education, said Butterflied has no office in the board office. 

For more information, please watch the video. 

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