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Is Football Safe For Kids?

Injured football player
Flickr photo/Nathan Rupert

The greatest sports spectacle on Earth takes place this Sunday: the Super Bowl. As millions around the world take in the commercials, the halftime show — and, of course, the actual game — football is facing a crisis. Thirty-three deceased former NFL players have been found to have suffered from a degenerative brain disorder called CTE, brought on by years of head trauma and concussions. Even President Obama has expressed concern, telling The New Republic that if he had a son, “I'd have to think long and hard before I let him play football.” It football safe for kids? We’ll take an in-depth look at the issue with youth football coach Chris Gradwohl and Dr. Kim Harmon of the University of Washington.

Also this hour: concerned citizens turned out in droves with privacy concerns about Seattle Police Department drones, but there was barely a whimper of complaint when the SPD rolled out Automatic License Plate Recognition technology on several police cars. We talk with Crosscut writer Matt Fikse-Verkerk. Plus, Katy Sewall brings us a weekly listen back to radio's Golden Age and Sara Dickerman joins us with a lunch recommendation.