The debate about whether to let the next generation of kids continue to play football isn't going anywhere, and Rashean Mathis contributed to the conversation this week.
Mathis, who plays for the Detroit Lions, scored a touchdown last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills on an interception and saved the ball for his two-year-old son who, he told the Detroit Free Press, he doesn't want to play football.
"I don't want him to," Mathis said. "He doesn't have to play any sport, as far as I'm concerned, but if he does get into it, football will be the last thing I introduce him to. Well, it's kind of hard being that I'm playing now and he's of age; he's already introduced to it, really."
He continued, talking about how worn out his own body is from playing in the NFL.
"Just being in the league a long time, I know how rough it could be. But if he loves it, he loves it, and I'm not going to pull it away from him. That's not going to be the case, but I know that it's taxing on your body, and there's plenty other ways that you can make a living other than football."
Such as?
"I would love to be his caddie and him on the golf course," Mathis said. "That's a dream."
It's certainly a longer shot than football for a kid growing up in the United States trying to get on the PGA Tour. There are about 160 slots on a given week for PGA Tour event while the NFL suits up over 1,500 guys every week.
Still, I'm in favor of this thinking. The concussion studies that have been done in the NFL are wild (and not in a good way). If you get injured in golf it's not going to affect the way you live your life after your career.
Get a club in that kid's hands ASAP.
For more golf news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnGolf and @KylePorterCBS on Twitter or Google+ and like us on Facebook.
