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State of football: Why is participation down?

A survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations shows that high school football participation in the nation is down since 2003. Coaches say concerns about safety probably affected those numbers, but that's not the only thing bringing football down.

MINNEAPOLIS - A new report from the National Federation of State High School Associations shows the number of teens playing high school football is dropping across the country, including Minnesota.

The federation's report shows in the years 2002-2003, 27,456 students participated in high school football in Minnesota. In the years 2017-2018, that number dropped to 23,205, a near 15.5% decline.

Part of the decline may have to do with the conversation around safety. However, it's safe to say, the conversation around safety and football has brought about significant changes for the better.

"We're so much smarter than we used to be," Minnetonka High School football coach Dave Nelson said. "I think back 15 to 20 years ago, what we did-- for instance now if we practice twice a day, we have to follow it up with one. There's only 30 minutes of contact allowed, we rarely tackle live, in fact we haven't yet."

But it's not concerns about safety that's bogging down the participation numbers. Another hurdle that football is tackling is what's known as specialization-- when an athlete chooses to focus on just one sport.

"Youth sports, the club sport industry is a 15 billion dollar industry. There are a number of organizations saying that you can only play one sport to maximize your ability," Bob Madison, Associate director with the Minnesota State High School League said. "So I think there's money being made in it. I think there is a myth out there that in order to get a scholarship you need to play a sport for nine to twelve months out of the year and that's just not accurate."

With those two factors combined, football has ultimately taken a participation hit. However, coaches and stakeholders in football say they remain optimistic.

"Once that decline happens you've got to work really hard to get it back up and it can be done," Coach Nelson said. He says the coaches at Minnetonka frequently go down to middle school to chat with potential football players.

When it comes to football, some parents decide to start em' young. Alicia Hayashi brought her son Sammy Hayashi, a 4th grader, to a Wayzata youth football league's scrimmage on Friday night.

"He absolutely loves football, this is our first year playing with Wayzata and he's super excited," Hayashi said.

When asked about the concerns that many other parents have shown over the years, Hayashi says she's confident that the coaches are looking out for the young athletes.

"I think the programs now are such that they're made to protect the kids," Hayashi said. "There are so many safety precautions put in place and the coaches are all aware, and I think bringing them up in that atmosphere, they know how to protect the kids-- and I've never had any kind of concern."

It's unclear how many of the 80 or so 4th graders playing Friday will grow up to play for their high school teams. However, football coaches and stakeholders alike-- say they're hoping the tradition continues to be passed on.

"It's an American past time, I don't think football is going anywhere," Hayashi said.

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