[jalisco555]

Before playing in junior high and high school, I played sandlot tackle football (without pads or helmets) for years.

Sure, I played sandlot tackle football with my friends as well. But we didn't use our heads as weapons. And our friends didn't try to hurt us. Just as boxing gloves made boxing more dangerous, not less, so has football equipment, especially helmets, made tackle football more dangerous.

[safeasthebanks]

You make several excellent points.

[JimRed]

Sure, I played sandlot tackle football with my friends as well.

Some of us did the same, a few of us into our 30s. I remember a couple of knockouts, lots of cuts and bruises and a few sprains, but we all survived. Mrs. JimRed made me quit when I kept coming home bloody and dirty. As a 74 year old I still miss the hitting. Doing rec B'ball 2-4 times a week now, and those 40-50year old kids are killin' me!