I’ve never been a fan of football. I’ve never understood the game, the rules, or the incredibly large fan base. Football has always seemed like a relatively boring sport in my eyes. It’s very stop-and-go, making it hard for me to keep my attention on the game and not on my phone.

I understand that football is one of the biggest and most popular sports of our country’s history. The sport teaches teamwork, gives players a productive outlet for their emotions and energy and is a great form of exercise.

All of these are trumped by one thing, in my opinion: long-term health effects.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, “the leading cause of death from a sports-related injury is a brain injury.”

Repeated blows to the head can cause Alzheimer’s, severe depression, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a disease that has been found in over 90 percent of former NFL players.

According to the Concussion Foundation, symptoms of CTE “include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, paranoia, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and eventually progressive dementia.” What’s worse? CTE can only be diagnosed after the victim has died.

Retired NFL players complain of chronic aches and pains, all related to their time playing football. The Washington Post surveyed retired players, including former linebacker Darryl Talley, former offensive lineman Pete Kendall, and former lineman Roman Oben. Talley claimed that he wakes up each morning with severe pain. Kendall says he can no longer run, play basketball with his children, or even walk for an extended amount of time and distance. Oben explained that at age 40 he felt like he was 65, fearing what he would actually feel like at that age.

The survey also found that “nine in 10 former NFL players reported suffering concussions while playing, and nearly six in 10 reported three or more. Two in three who had concussions said they experience continuing symptoms from them.”

My future child may never want to play football. He may want to play, but not continue to play past middle or high school. He may dream of becoming an NFL star. No matter the case, I plan on educating my child to know the severe dangers that come with playing America’s favorite sport.