Bobby Jurasin and Geroy Simon share similar concerns as parents of football players.
They both worry about the possibility of injuries while their sons are involved in the game. Jurasin's youngest son, Wyatt, is a linebacker at his alma mater, Northern Michigan University. Bobby Jurasin, a hall of fame defensive end, played for the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1986 to 1997. Simon's oldest son, Gervon, recently committed to play quarterback with the Army Black Knights of the U.S. Military Academy.
"Of course there is a lot of concern,'' said Jurasin, who was a guest instructor for the Don Narcisse All-Star Event at Mosaic Stadium on the weekend. "For my sons, it's all about choices. I'll be there if they want to ask questions and I'll answer them. I'll make sure they are informed about the risks and the rewards. Then it's up to them.''
Geroy Simon is heading into his 14th season with the B.C. Lions as a star receiver and he has been involved with minor football in British Columbia throughout that span. He feels the best manner to prepare youngsters for football is proper training. It's also an attitude he adopted while coaching his own children.
"The majority of people aren't going to have concussions and things like that especially if you teach them the right fundamentals,'' said Simon, who was also a guest instructor at the All-Star Event. "That's the reason why I coach the little guys back in B.C. If you teach kids the proper way to take on a block or tackle, you lessen the chances of them sustaining those kinds of injuries. It's important for professionals or those who have lots of experience in football to teach the proper way of playing football.''
Jurasin pointed out that football is evolving. When he joined the Riders in 1986, there were few 300-pounders on the offensive line. Now that is the average size of offensive linemen.
"These kids need to learn the grassroots of basic fundamentals,'' Jurasin said. "They need to learn how to tackle, how to hit and how to get into the proper stance.''
Injuries take place in football. Simon, 36, still feels that players at all levels have to play without the fear of being injured.
"You have to be smart,'' Simon said. "You can't lead with your head, no matter what position you play. If you do, you will have those types of injuries. If you see what you hit, then you won't have those types of head injuries. If you do things the right way, you lessen your chances of getting hurt.''
Jurasin, 47, battled through injuries during his all-star career with the Riders. A painful reminder of his playing days was a chronically sore right knee from the wear and tear of the game. He recently underwent surgery to have the knee replaced.
"It got to the point where I was getting it scraped every year, the cortisone shots and everything else,'' said Jurasin, who was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Riders Plaza of Honor in 2002. "The doctor said we could continue doing that, but he realized there was only one thing that could be done. He said that I was only 47 years old, but I told him that I needed to move now and not when I was 60. We came to an agreement and I had (the knee replacement) done.''
Jurasin still feels dealing with the football-related injuries were worth it.
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