President Donald Trump loves watching football, but he would not steer his youngest son Barron, a soccer enthusiast, to the sport because of safety concerns, adding soccer in America is "moving forward rapidly."
"A lot of people, including me, thought soccer would probably never make it in this country, but it really is moving forward rapidly," President Trump told CBS's "Face the Nation" in his annual Super Bowl interview.
President Trump's comment came after CBS News' Margaret Brennan asked if he would allow Barron play football.
"It's very tough question – it's a very good question," President Trump responded. "If he wanted to? Yes. Would I steer him that way? No, I wouldn't."
President Trump added football helmet technological improvement "hasn't solved the problem" – without mentioning concussions directly.
"I just don't like the reports that I see coming out having to do with football," Trump told Brennan. "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.
"So, you know, I hate to say it because I love to watch football. 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."
Scientific research has found soccer, specifically girls soccer players, has the highest rate of concussion in high school sports.