With the warning about the development of young people's brains, delaying the start of tackle football and instead playing flag football could benefit the sport.

Drew Brees didn't start playing tackle football until high school, playing flag through junior high school.

“I feel like flag football can save football,” Brees said. 

“I feel like that is a great introductory method for a lot of kids into football,” Brees said. “Otherwise I feel it's very easy to go in and have a bad experience early on and then not want to ever play it again. I feel like once you put the pads on there are just so many other elements to the game, and you’re at the mercy of the coach in a lot of cases too. And to be honest, I don't think enough coaches are well-versed enough in regards to the true fundamentals of the game especially when the pads go on at the youth level.”