Football, especially the NFL, has been in the news a lot lately for many things non-football related. In addition to negative off-the-field news, concerns with player safety, especially concussion-related injuries, make it seem as if youth football could be on the decline.

I beg to differ. On any given Saturday in my city, Indianapolis, which just happens to be in a basketball crazy state, you will see many youth football leagues packed with players, coaches, parents and a ton of people engaged in football. In the flag league my sons play in, every Saturday morning the fields are full of kids, volunteer high school kids and parents, and the parking lot is full.

Youth football is not lacking in numbers in this basketball state, but I know my Saturday drive-bys of football fields and my sons' football league represent a small portion of the story. So, don't just take my word for it.

Here on USAFootball.com are results from a study that shows high school football participation numbers grew in 2013. An article in Forbes magazine reports the same and digs into some similar numbers as well as the participation numbers are where they are. I have some thoughts on that as well.

Here are three reasons why the rumors of youth football's demise is greatly exaggerated:

Football is just plain fun. The sport of football is fun on so many different levels. Watching, playing, coaching, tailgating and even fantasizing about it are things that fulfill us all on so many levels. Once kids – and adults – are exposed at some point, they want to continue to experience that. It's a hook that brings you in and brings plenty of joy.

Volunteers who make it happen. There are so many volunteers who help at my sons' flag football leagues, and they are all amazing. This is one of the big reasons the league thrives. There are parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, friends and just football-loving people who volunteer their time to the kids and the league. The kids aren't at it alone, they have help and are encouraged to learn, develop and have fun with this game.

The game continues to evolve and improve.  As player safety has become a focus, so have the efforts to make the game safer by programs such as Heads Up Football. As long as this keeps up, the game will continue to get better and safer, and those declining numbers will become a conversation of the past.

Why do you think youth football continues to be so popular?

Jackie Bledsoe Jr. is a writer, blogger, speaker, husband and sports parent of three. He’s played sports for more than 30 years, including the collegiate level, while coaching youth sports for the past nine years. You can read more from Jackie on his blog, JackieBledsoe.com, and connect with him on Twitter (@jbledsoejr).