Should I Let My Kid Play American Football?

In Super Bowl 50, Panthers WR Corey Brown and Broncos LB Shaquil Barrett were removed from the game because they suffered concussions. Many others likely suffered subconcussive impacts to their heads during the course of the big game. There is continuing controversy about how the NFL has and is handling these issues. In a press conference leading up to the game, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that “If I had a son I’d love to have him play the game of football because of the values you get. There’s risk in life. There’s risk to sitting on the couch.”

Of widespread concern to many is the potential for long-term brain injuries for the millions of American children who play football. More high school athletes play football than any other sport. This trend may not last, however. Pop Warner, the largest youth football organization in the United States, is seeing a steady decline in the numbers of its participants due to fears about head injuries.
This leads to an important ethical question for parents: Should I let my kid play football?

Reminder: CFP: Philosophy of Play

Submission deadline extended: March 1, 2016

Reason Papers: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Normative Studies (of which I am a co-editor) is soliciting contributions for a Spring 2016 symposium on normative issues in play. The journal invites submissions that explore the nature of play; its developmental importance; and its role in human lives, values, and societies. We are also interested in explorations of the relationship between play and other human activities (such as other recreational activities, education, or work), structured vs. unstructured play, and children’s play vs. adult play.  Submissions are due by February 1, 2016. March 1, 2016.

The CFP at Reason Papers.

Information on Submitting.

Calls for Abstracts/Papers related to Philosophy of Sport

Conference CFA:

International Association for the Philosophy of Sport (IAPS)
 The 44th IAPS conference will be held September 20-24, 2016 in Olympia, Greece sponsored by Fonte Aretusa and hosted at the International Olympic Academy. The deadline for the CFA is March 31, 2016.  More info.

British Philosophy of Sport Association (BPSA)
 The annual BPSA conference will be held April 4 - 6, 2016 at the University of Brighton, School of Sport and Service Management in Brighton, England. The deadline for the CFA is January 25, 2016. More info.

Journal Call For Papers:

Reason Papers: Philosophy of Play Reason Papers is soliciting contributions for a Spring 2016 symposium on normative issues in play. We invite submissions that explore the nature of play; its developmental importance; and its role in human lives, values, and societies. We are also interested in explorations of the relationship between play and other human activities (such as other recreational activities, education, or work), structured vs. unstructured play, and children’s play vs. adult play.  Submissions are due by February 1, 2016.

CFP: Communication and Sport This is a call for manuscripts for the C&S journal: "C&S publishes research and critical analysis from diverse disciplinary and theoretical perspectives to advance understanding of communication phenomena in the varied contexts through which sport touches individuals, society, and culture. "

CFP: Philosophy of Play

Reason Papers: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Normative Studies (of which I am a co-editor) is soliciting contributions for a Spring 2016 symposium on normative issues in play. We invite submissions that explore the nature of play; its developmental importance; and its role in human lives, values, and societies. We are also interested in explorations of the relationship between play and other human activities (such as other recreational activities, education, or work), structured vs. unstructured play, and children’s play vs. adult play.  Submissions are due by February 1, 2016.

The CFP at Reason Papers.

Information on Submitting.

Inaugural Global Congress on Sports and Christianity

In light of the dramatic increase in academic research activity and practical initiatives on the topic of sports and Christianity over the last decade, the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at York St John University (YSJU), York, UK are hosting an Inaugural Global Congress on Sports and Christianity (IGCSC2016), 24-28th August, 2016. The Bible Society and YSJU are collaborating in the development and delivery of this global event.


Conference website: http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/health--life-sciences/faculty-of-hls/faculty-events/igcsc.aspx

Keynote Speakers include both academics and practitioners/athletes: Professors Stanley Hauerwas, John Swinton, Tony Campolo, Brian Bolt and Michael Novak, Bishop James Jones, Anne-Wafula Strike MBE, Joe Ehrmann, Graham Daniels, Cassie Carstens and Dr Afe Adogame.
York St John University campus is at the heart of the beautiful and historic city of York (see http://www.visityork.org/ ). A part of the congress is a sport-themed service in York Minster, one of Europe’s finest Cathedrals (see http://www.yorkminster.org/home.html ); this event will be also be open to the public.

‘Registration’ and the ‘Call for Papers’ has now opened. For further information with regard to registration and the call for papers, see the web-link and/or email the congress administrator, Fanny Hébert at: igcsc2016@yorksj.ac.uk

Interest in this event has been significant, thus, to avoid disappointment register early.
If you are interested in receiving further information about this event and regular updates on publications in the topic area, email the congress convener, Dr Nick J. Watson (n.watson@yorksj.ac.uk ), who will add you to an email-contact list/Listserve.