Local Coach Reacts to Former Dr.'s Proposal To Ban HS Football

A former doctor and school board member in New Hampshire is raising eyebrows after saying high school football should be banned.

"A game that uses the head as a battering ram is not a smart game to allow a youngster to play, " says Dr. Paul Butler.

Butler is a former high school and college football player himself and says his local high school football team has to go. He cites a lawsuit by former NFL players against the league, saying it didn't adequately warn them of the risks of long-term brain damage associated with playing the game.

Ray Belton, the head football coach at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield says changes to Minnesota State High School League rules have helped coaches to prevent or spot concussions. He says updated equipment has also helped.

"We all know that concussions are a big part of the game but I don't think we go into the season with concussions being the number one thing on our mind, It's more about the brotherhood, the family, bringing a team together,"
says Belton.

He says his team practices tackling to avoid head contact and requires that trainers be at games and practices.

Football players are also educated about concussions so they know when to alert medical staff.

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