Trump says he ‘would have a hard time’ letting son Barron play football

By: Marisa S.

President Trump, who once complained the NFL has become too soft, said he wouldn’t encourage his youngest son to play football because it’s a “dangerous sport.”

“I would have a hard time with it,” Trump told CBS’ “Face the Nation” when asked if he’d allow Barron, 12, to play football.

In the Super Bowl Sunday interview, Trump said Barron prefers soccer and if he wanted to play football he’d allow it, but he certainly wouldn’t steer him toward the gridiron.

“I just don’t like the reports that I see coming out having to do with football,” Trump said. “I mean, it’s a dangerous sport and I think it’s really tough, I thought the equipment would get better, and it has. The helmets have gotten far better but it hasn’t solved the problem.”

The president mentioned NFL players who won’t let their sons follow in their footsteps because of the risks of head trauma.

“I hate to say it because I love to watch football,” Trump said. “I think the NFL is a great product, but I really think that as far as my son – well I’ve heard NFL players saying they wouldn’t let their sons play football. So, it’s not totally unique, but I would have a hard time with it.”

The safety concerns the commander-in-chief raised about the sport belie a former stump speech when he longed for more NFL “violent” head-on tackles.

At a rally in Reno, Nev., in January 2016, Trump bemoaned the more concussion-conscious NFL and complained about too many penalty flags.

“Football has become soft like our country has become soft,” Trump said at the time.