NFL

Bart Scott Doesn’t Want His Son To Play Football

In a recent interview with the New York Daily News, Jets linebacker Bart Scott was particularly adamant about his son’s future athletics career: no football. Coming from one of the more intense linebackers the NFL has seen over the last 10 years, this may seem surprising. But Scott puts the health of his child first.

“I don’t want my son to play football,” Scott said. “I play football so he won’t have to. With what is going on, I don’t know if it’s really worth it. . . . I don’t want to have to deal with him getting a concussion and what it would be like later in life…Think about guys in college or Division III, what’s their reward? What about the other 98%? My reward is being able to provide for my family at a high level.”

As for what his son can do athletically, this is what Scott had to say:

“He can play baseball. I really don’t want him boxing, either, even though he wants to box. I won’t let him box. It’s not worth it. The most important thing for me is him being around and me being able to spend a long time with him and I’m sure, at the end of the day, all the things I’m able to buy him from playing football, he’d much rather have me.”

It’s surprising that more athletes don’t follow in Scott’s footsteps. As he notes, the majority of football players are left reliving the glory days of disintegrated dreams. Instead of money and fame, they’re left with broken bones, empty wallets and searching for a regular job like the rest of us proletariats. But Scott did make it – and he made millions. Enough to provide for his family, and extended family, for that matter. If his son can foray into athletics safely, without the need to remedy financial ills, without the risk of concussions and other mangled body parts, it’s understandable that Scott would steer him away from football and boxing.

Bart Scott the football player probably wants his son to surpass his on-field glory and attain linebacking greatness. But clearly Bart Scott the father has mastered his baser instincts and chosen the safer path, even if his coach has not.

[NY Daily News, via Pro Football Talk]