Survey finds minimal decline nationally in high school football participation

High school football participation declined in 2015-16 by 309 nationally, according to the participation survey from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

That figure should ease some concerns that football participation might take a major dropoff over safety concerns regarding concussions.

Football participation had declined by almost 10,000 in 2014-15. The number of boys playing 11-man football in 2015 was almost identical this past year to the number in 2014. It went from 1,083,617 to 1,083,308.

Twenty-four states reported increases in football participation. California was among the states that reported a decrease _ 3,520.

The participation level in all sports increased for the 27th consecutive year to an all-time high of 7,868,900.

“The NFHS and its member state associations have taken significant steps over the past 10 years to minimize the risk of participation in football and all high school sports, so this report on the continued strong interest and participation in high school football is very encouraging,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director, in a statement.

“With the adoption of state laws and protocols for concussion management in place, we continue to believe that the sport of football at the high school level is as safe as it has been since the first rules were written in 1932 – and we believe this year’s participation report is confirmation of that belief.”

Track and field had the largest increase in participants with an additional 12,501 boys and 7,243 girls.

Lacrosse reached 197,572 participants.

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