Lions CB Mathis wants son to play golf, not football

Rashean Mathis has made a big name for himself on the football field. He doesn’t want his son to follow in his footsteps.

In an interview with the Detroit Free-Press, the Detroit Lions cornerback said he would prefer his son stay away from football — at least until high school.

“I don’t want him to,” Mathis said. “He doesn’t have to play any sport, as far as I’m concerned, but if he does get into it, football will be the last thing I introduce him to.”

The toll football has taken on Mathis’ body, including a complete knee reconstruction in 2011, dissuades him from encouraging his son to play.

“Just being in the league a long time, I know how rough it could be,” he said. “But if he loves it, he loves it, and I’m not going to pull it away from him. That’s not going to be the case, but I know that it’s taxing on your body, and there’s plenty other ways that you can make a living other than football.”

Mathis, who is a 4-handicap golfer, would rather his son eventually find his way to golf.

“I would love to be his caddie and him on the golf course,” Mathis said. “That’s a dream.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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