Kids, Football, and the Brain: How CTE Changed Minds

Easton Mack and his younger brother Griffin are known as the X-men in their youth league. The name comes from the big X on the back of their helmets, a sign they are larger than most teammates. Easton plays center and defensive tackle on his seventh‑grade team, his fifth season. Griffin does the same on his third‑grade squad, his third year. Their mother, Christina Mack, says, "We are a football family, for sure." She feels safe because the boys are placed on the line, not leading with their heads.

Most families across the country share her ease. A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll asked 2,102 registered voters how they felt about kids playing tackle football. Before any mention of brain disease, 54% said they were comfortable, while 34% were uneasy. In Utah, the numbers were 52% comfortable and 38% uneasy. Men were more at ease than women nationally (60% vs. 48%). The 35‑44 age group was the most comfortable (56%). Those 65 and older were the most uneasy (47%). Utah mirrored these trends, with a slightly higher comfort level for the 35‑44 group (63%).

When respondents learned about a 2026 study showing that at least one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE, opinions shifted. Comfort dropped to 47% nationally, with unease rising to 44%. In Utah, comfort fell to 40% and unease jumped to 54%. Women reacted more strongly than men; after the CTE news, only 35% of women nationally felt comfortable, compared with 59% of men. Younger voters stayed more comfortable than older ones in both surveys.

The poll also asked at what age kids should start playing. The most common answer was 14 and older, both nationally and in Utah. About one in ten respondents said tackle football should be banned at any age. Jason Renfro, a youth coach and league administrator for 15 years, agrees that starting at 14 is ideal. He believes teenagers who begin later are less exposed to repeated head impacts, which aligns with the new concerns about brain health.