grades

According to 67% of those surveyed, playing sports even leads to better grades in school.

The results showed that the majority of Americans thought sports helped people's character, health, grades, popularity in school and recognition in the community.

Ms Longfield says a “culture of exclusions” over the last decade has been driven by an “emphasis on academic achievement and grades”.

“He had to get his grades up. He fought hard. It’s still a work in progress. Football has been the best thing. He’s had a release.”

The first priority was improving his grades and finding a way to move forward.