In response to football-related concussions and a decline in registrations, an Alpharetta-based youth flag football league is requiring helmets for its young players.
The North Atlanta Football League now mandates the players wear padded helmets that cover the ears and the top and back of the head, according to Channel 2 Action News.
NAFL flag football coach Chris Rech, who has coached for more than 15 years, said he’s shocked that it took so long to require helmets.
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“To me, it's just like wearing a mouthpiece,” Rech told the television station. “We're protecting your teeth; we're protecting their brains.”
The league had one concussion last season, Channel 2 reports. Registration is down by two-thirds from a decade ago.
Stephanie Butler, president of the NAFL, said there was a need to introduce something to “keep our little ones a little bit more protected.”
“We've gotten parents that never would've considered football as a sport for their child thinking, ‘Hey, this could be a good alternative,’” Butler said.
Registration has increased by $20 to include the soft-shell helmet.
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