What example do Friday night NFL games set for younger players?
The idea of expanding the National Football League playoffs to include聽Friday聽night games may be great for building the brand, but parents may find that more isn鈥檛 better when it comes to the effect on young viewers, family time, and player safety.聽
NFL Commissioner Roger聽Goodell announced on the NFL Network the possibility of 鈥渁n expanded playoff format with six games during the wild card weekend might include three games each聽on Saturday聽and聽Sunday, or it might include a聽Friday night game and a聽Monday聽night game.鈥�
At first, I thought it might be great to have playoffs on a non-school night for a change, so the kids could be up late watching with us.
Then I began to consider the trickle-down effect of what expanded playoffs in the NFL could mean to college, high school, and even pee-wee league football as well as the amount of time we all spend obsessing on one sport.
I called up a local teacher in Norfolk, Va., where we live, Derek S. Allen, a former NFL tight end who played with the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, and the Arizona Cardinals in the 1990s. He raised some valid concerns about the potential effects of expanding the season.
鈥淎s a fan, more football is always great, but as a parent and former player, adding more games to their season is not going to add to player safety anywhere,鈥� said Mr. Allen. 鈥淭his is all about money and feeding the money machine. Adding games at the NFL sends the wrong message. Too much of a good thing.鈥︹��
Allen鈥檚 warnings might be worth considering, as many high school and college programs take their lead from the NFL, especially as it serves as one of the largest money-making sports for many schools.
Increasing involvement in sports, including football, for kids is a big deal, but pushing players harder for longer, could set a bad example for kids. Preparing for the Super Bowl next weekend, we鈥檙e excited to watch one of America鈥檚 great sporting events. But we have to ask ourselves as families, are we ready for some MORE football?
