Half a century ago, nobody would have guessed that football would unseat baseball as America’s favorite sport. But it has.

Twenty years ago, many believed the passion for fútbol overseas would catch on here in America and soccer would become one of the most popular professional sports.

My point? Nobody can predict the future.

So, what is the future of football?

With what’s in the media today, many parents are leery about letting their children try the sport of tackle football. But the reality is, there is risk in every sport, including ones that don’t involve intentional body-to-body contact.

USA Football has responded to the concern by increasing the promotion of flag football as an alternative way for kids to still be able to learn the concepts and skills of the sport without the physical contact required in tackle.

USA Football’s Football Development Model places as much emphasis on pulling flags as it does proper tackling technique, knowing for some kids, flag football will be their only means of ever playing the game. It’s become a sport of its own, rather than an alternative to tackle.

However, the Football Development Model has also placed a focus on tackle football and, in particular, the contact aspect of the game. From blocking to hitting to tackling, new rules are in place and techniques being taught to help prevent contact injuries that used to be considered just “part of the game.”  

The educational and coaching pieces taught in the Football Development Model, along with rule changes and equipment improvements made in recent years that have reached every level of the sport, are ensuring that every measure is being taken to make the game safer than it has ever been. In fact, some argue it’s as safe as any other contact sport.

So, I and many others think the future is bright for football, in both formats, for boys and girls and adults of all ages and abilities.

Some think fifty years from now, because of the safety issues, tackle football might not even exist.

But if you think about it, football rose to the top of the popularity charts before the new safety components were installed, so there’s no reason to think it will descend now. Add to that, the Football Development Model’s initiative designed to make the game safer by reducing contact and teaching the game in a way that meets an athlete where they are in their development, and I can’t help but think the future of football is brighter than it’s ever been.

I can’t predict the future of football. But, I can’t help but think the future for both flag and tackle is a bright one.   

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years with perspectives as a parent, coach and board member. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter.