Trump ‘would have a hard time’ letting son play football due to concussion concerns

In a sit-down interview before Super Bowl LIII, President Trump called the NFL “dangerous” and said he would “have a hard time with” letting his 12-year-old son play football due to safety concerns.

The interview, recorded for CBS News, was with Margaret Brennan of Face the Nation. Brennan asked him questions about the NFL, the potential of another government shutdown and more.

When the subject of the NFL came up, Trump revealed that reports about concussions have made him feel uneasy about possibly letting his son, Barron, ever play football.

“I just don't like the reports that I see coming out having to do with football—I mean, it's a dangerous sport and I think it's really tough,” Trump said in the interview.

Recent data from the NFL found that concussions were down 29 percent in 2018. Trump, though, still has concerns about the sport’s safety.

“I think the NFL is a great product, but I really think that as far as my son—well, I've heard NFL players saying they wouldn't let their sons play football,” Trump said in the interview. “So, it's not totally unique, but I would have a hard time with it.”

Prior Radiology Business coverage of concussions in sports can be read here, here and here.

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Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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