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Debate! Should kids under 14 play contact sports?
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What is football without tackling, soccer without heading the ball and lacrosse and hockey without full body checking? Much safer for kids under 14, says Dr. Robert Cantu. Cantu is a concussion expert and brain surgeon at Emerson Hospital in Massachusetts. A concussion is a serious brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 3.8 million concussions happen each year in sports and recreational activities. In his new book, "Concussions and Our Kids," Cantu proposes that tackle football, heading in soccer and full body checking in ice hockey not start until kids are 14. Kids' brains, Cantu explains, are more at risk for injury than adult brains. Children's brains do not have as much of a protein called myelin, which helps protect the brain. Kids have larger heads and weaker necks and torsos, "so if they fall they are much more likely to have their heads snap backward and hit the ground," Cantu adds. "Youngsters tend to have the worst equipment, least experienced coaches and no medical personal at the scene." Cantu suggests the age 14 for starting full contact in sports because "you have to start somewhere, but starting later is fine too." Some experts argue that choosing age 14 as the starting point is random because there isn't research to support it and enforcing the restrictions isn't practical. Opponents also say that risks of injuries are just part of the games, and if kids are wearing protective equipment and taught to play the sports correctly, they will reduce their chances of getting hurt. They add that head injuries happen in basketball and other sports too. If Cantu were to succeed with his proposed restrictions, what would come next — placing restrictions in these sports too? 
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Today is Monday, May 20, the 140th day of 2013. There are 225 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A petition is being circulated asking the city council to order awell bored in Market Square. It would be a great accommodation to the public.
1888 -- 125 years ago: At 1 p.m. on May 18 the Mississippi River flooded its banks atRock Island and destroyed the warehouse of the Rock Island Lumber Co. and damagedRock Island Arsenal power plant. Total loss is estimated at $100,000.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Residents of Sough Rock Island Township are circulating apetition favoring the annexation of that area to the City of Rock Island.
1938 -- 75 years ago: A group of state members of the National Grandmothers Clubmeeting in Rock Island are making plans to petition for the observance of a NationalGrandmothers Day.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Deere and Co. reported today that its U.S. and Canadian sales forthe first half of the 1963 fiscal year set an all time record of $323,716.628.
1988 -- 25 years ago: William G. Lawrence, first administrative director, has retired fromPECO Enterprises, Inc. Prior to his service at PECO, Mr. Lawrence was the civilianpersonnel officer at the Rock Island Arsenal.
(More History)