Borland's resignation sparks conversation among parents
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- 49ers linebacker Chris Borland's resignation is certainly sparking a lot of talk among parents, coaches and teens as well. He's stepping away to preserve his long term health.
"You know, I've lived the right way, I've been healthy, I've never used performance enhancers, I don't abuse alcohol or drugs. So maybe I would be fine, maybe I'm wrong and I could play for 10 years and be completely healthy. However, I don't think it's wise for me," he said.
One thing everything can agree on is that there can be more steps taken to make football a safer game, on top of the changes that have already been made.
VIDEO: 49ers' Borland makes unprecedented retirement decision
For many of the students at Galileo High School in San Francisco, they grew up playing the game of football.
"It's kind of in my blood and it's just fun to watch, it's fun to play," student football player Jamari Hilliard-Vasquez said.
But playing football, even at the high school level can be dangerous. Galileo student Nick Foster recalled a concussion he had. He said, "I actually took knee to my head by one of my teammates."
Concussions and its long lasting effects on the brain has become once again a hot topic in the sports community with the recent resignation of Borland.
VIDEO: 49ers Borland putting health over football, retires from NFL
From Pop Warner to the NFL, the controversy weighs on players, coaches and parents.
ABC7 News spoke with former Oakland Raiders player Napoleon Kaufman who now coaches at Bishop O'Dowd. He says there have been changes made to the game to prevent head injuries.
Kaufman told ABC7 News in a phone interview, "Back in the day, guys would come in and slam their heads into another guy, but now guys are learning to tackle guys within the strike zone -- from the top of chest to right above the knee."
Galileo Lions Football Coach Mark Huynh said, "We try to teach them to play football in the right way."
He said they also stress the heads up tackling rule.
Yet still, with more research and awareness, doctors say more athletes and their parents will have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
For Jamari Hilliard-Vasquez he's made a decision to continue to play football for Humboldt State after high school. He said, "The love of being on field, in a battle you could say, in a war with brothers, is one of the best feelings."
