article_snippet: Football is America's favorite sport.
article_snippet: But today, youth football is not looking like the best option.
article_snippet: In 2012, an estimated 225,287 children -- down 9.5% since 2010 -- between the ages of 5 and 14 played Pop Warner football, in which the weight class for the 5-year-olds ranges from 35 to 79 pounds.
article_snippet: With such lightweight boys competing with children more than twice children size, it's no wonder parents feel less inclined to put parents kids in this sport.
article_snippet: But not too long ago, parents thought nothing of sending parents children out on the football field to run around and burn up a little energy.
article_snippet: Many parents still insist youth football is safe.
article_snippet: this mother wants to stop children younger than 14 from playing tackle football in youth leagues.
article_snippet: Young children should not be allowed to play tackle football until Young children reach high school," said Pyka.
article_snippet: Should we all be arrested for letting we all kids play football?"
article_snippet: While there is incredible sadness in this story, we question the merits of singling out four years of youth football amid a career of sports that lasted through high school.
article_snippet: But "a 5-year-old playing football, it's ridiculous to have them out there banging them brains around.
highlights_snippet: There's a reason why young NFL players are retiring from the sport .
  
highlights_snippet: Roxanne Jones says youth football is not looking like the best option for kids; parents should know the risks .