I AM WRITING this letter, not only as a concerned parent, but also as a concerned Pediatric Registered Nurse. There needs to be a serious look into the Pee Wee Football program in Floyd County and those in charge.

How can this program justify putting kids that weigh 150+ pounds against kids that barely weigh 70 pounds? We are talking about 4th and 5th graders here — or are we? Is it possible that older kids are being allowed to play on teams that they shouldn’t be on? After all, when my child signed up I was never asked for proof of age.

And if there are 10-year-olds that weigh almost 200 pounds, are they healthy enough to play? Shouldn’t these kids be getting physicals? Childhood obesity carries with it a myriad of health issues, is this a risk the Rome Floyd Park and Recreation Authority is willing to take? All these kids are weighed before the season starts, so that should be the time that decisions are being made for everyone’s safety. At 9- and 10-years- old, if these kids weigh more than 150 pounds, they should be moved up to the next division. When the schedule is being made the size of the teams needs to be taken into consideration.

Safety should come above everything else; especially when you have USA Football promoting the Heads Up program that preaches safety.

It’s truly sad to have this many concerns over Pee Wee Football. At this stage, kids should be learning the fundamentals, safety and developing a love for the game, not learning how to be deceitful and use unsportsmanlike conduct to win games.

Thankfully, my son’s team has exceptional coaches that teach not only safety for the team but value of a team.