I have to admit, we are big SEC football fans, and also appreciate high school football. But when it came time for my own son to play, let's just say my feelings changed considerably.
There are many rules in place to reduce the likelihood of this type of outcome. I'm convinced the vast majority of coaches teach their teams how to hit cleanly and properly, and the amount of protection for players has been improved also. I remember reading a story a year or two ago of a young basedall player killed when a pitch hit him in the chest and stopped his heart. All sports entail some level of risk. I do agree, of course, that football by its nature is a violent sport. But I just recently read that the worst sport for injury is. . . .cheerleading!! Being thrown from the top of a human pyramid has its risks also.
None of this does anything to diminish the pain of that poor boy's parents. My heart is with them, and I pray for their comfort.