This kid needs something to be a part of right now. The more time he has to do nothing, the more he will get deeper into whatever problem it is that he may have. I'd say it's a pretty good bet that he isn't getting the guidance he needs at home.

Just giving an example, maybe things have changed more than I thought in the past 10 years or so. Though when I was in high school it seemed like far more than half of the kids who didn't play sports were developing bad habits in their free time. That was few and far between with the kids who actually played. Might have something to do about being a part of something, being on a team... maybe having people around you who cares about you. Maybe those other young men who have been there playing will set an example, offer their friendship. I'd say it's safe to say there aren't many saints in the halls of the high schools anywhere you will go. Kids and young adults do stupid things, some learn from their mistakes, other repeat them throughout their lives. There has obviously been something that's been missing from this kids life. Some sort of guidance, and authority. He's obviously not gonna get that by sitting at house, because if he was going to we wouldn't be talking about this. I'd say theres a pretty good chance he's going to be surrounding himself with good people within that football program.

So let the kid play, how can a bunch of people who don't know the whole story know what's best for this kid. They don't, and the bottom line is most here has another agenda. Let's think about the kid before we think about W's and L's of the team you root for.