An Ode to the bell rung - For whom the bell tolls...

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

Don't let 'em suit up and play tackle football

Make 'em be God fearin' doctors and lawyers and such

so they won't have their brains turning to mush

Parents, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

For when they suit up and play tackle football

Beware you are playing Russian Roulette

with your childen's brains - oh - such a very risky bet

as there's no guaranteed safer football safety net

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

Cuz they'll eventually have their bell rung and wonder where they are

while laying sprawled on the playing field, seeing only stars

And each played game may foster further dam-age

injured knees, personality changes and brains that prematurely age

While various Dr No's continue to exclaim their false mantra's

telling hurtin' players' that it's all in their head...

while knowing so well that some will too soon end up dead.

Early on sports doctors learn "Do no harm"

Yet some refuse to sound the alarm

that playing football is worrisome dangerous for your health

and not worth the desired and oft short-lived fame and wealth

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

Players like bone crushing tackles and the shining spotlight

yet growing concern for concussions gives some a fright

as prematurely aging brains make CTE a scary sight

Though pseudo critics hastily bash Omalu's and McKee's pioneer CTE findings

the doctors' respective research bears close minding

Seems their critics merely manufacture false doubt - to attempt purging

with hopes to crush the credible brain injury evidence emerging

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

As some Concussed players ain't easy to love n'

Some rather deny football's increasing personal brain toll

while in their unknowing foolhardy pursuit of glory and gold

And if you eventually don't understand him and he don't die young

You may be witnessin' Alzheimer, Dementia or Parkinson

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

Don't let 'em suit up and play tackle football

Make 'em be God fearin' doctors and lawyers and such

so they won't have their brains turning to mush

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

They'll eventually have their bell rung and wonder where they are

while laying sprawled on the playing field and seeing only stars

due to increasing brain injury scars

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

Sometimes they won't know who you are

as their brains have been so damaged and so wronged,

Like Gage, they are so terribly different,

and now each is nearin' his swan song

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be football players

Don't let 'em suit up and play tackle football

Make 'em be God fearin' doctors and lawyers and such

so they won't have their brains turning to mush

and have the bell toll prematurely - surrounded by a mourningful hush.

Copyright © 2013-2014 Don Brady