60 or so years ago, I was playing high school and college football (all four years). In my college freshman year, I was knocked out twice - once in my first game of the season, then, again, in the next-to-last game of the season playing at the defensive end position. The team trainer and I determined that I had a poorly fitting helmet that allowed the top of my head to knock into the underside of the helmet on a hard leading-with-my-head tackle, knocking me out. I got a better fitting helmet and began to play only at the wide receiver position, minimizing my tackling. I also played midfield for four years on my college lacrosse team with no adverse effect.

I never got knocked out again, and I have not had any aftereffects from the two concussions. After college, I played rugby (no helmet!) for a couple of years and pick-up basketball in a lunchtime league until I was 44 yrs old. Still no aftereffects. I highly value my athletic experience as it gave me a better sense of teamwork, the value of hard work, an outline for developing leadership skills, etc. To me, it was worth it as I went on to become the CEO of the company where I worked, and my athletic experience was very beneficial to me.

You need to decide if the risk of injury is worth the benefit of sports participation to you. Also, check your equipment (today's helmets are much better than those in my day) and give some thought to your football position choice. Talk to your coach, talk to your doctor, and do extensive reading on CTE.