Religiosity and U.S. Adult Support for Youth Tackle Football: Risk Aversion or Playing for the Glory of God?

Beloved as the most popular sport in the United States, football is a prominent part of American culture and social interactions and is associated with both personal and social benefits. However, youth tackle football is increasingly recognized as problematic because of the health risks inherent to the sport. We draw upon large-scale national data ( N = 3,669) to assess how religiosity predicts attitudes toward kids playing tackle football and the factors that shape these beliefs. Results suggest that greater religious attendance is associated with greater support for youth tackle football. This association is stronger among those of a Protestant denomination and those with less than a college education. Our research helps to raise awareness of how U.S. adults view the costs and benefits of tackle football through a religious lens.