Background: Increasing media attention has highlighted injuries associated with tackle football (TFB) with special attention to head injuries and long-term consequences in professional players. Sequelae from concussions may be more severe in children who play TFB. In the literature, parents, coaches, and medical professionals describe benefits associated with playing team sports. Therefore, caregivers may have ambivalent feelings regarding allowing their children to play. Recent studies, using regional and national samples, have elucidated some of these parental perceptions. However, few studies have focused on urban populations. Methods: A semi-structured interview, based on a Center for Disease Control (CDC) survey (Waltzman, 2024) was given to a convenience sample of caregivers in the University of Maryland Pediatrics at Midtown practice. Caregivers were asked to complete the written questionnaire and then were queried for additional thoughts on health beliefs regarding youth TFB.  Demographics were tabulated comparisons were made between groups. Survey items were sorted according to the Health Belief Model (HBM) dimensions: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cue-to-action.  Results: 45 questionnaires have been completed. The following data compares our results to the CDC study. Most respondents were female (80% vs. 50%). 91% were non-Hispanic black (vs. 9%).  In the current study, 87% were < 44 years (vs. 33%).  Child’s insurance was mostly Medicaid (84%). 82% were strongly or somewhat fans of American football (vs. 59%). When asked “When is a good age for kids to start playing tackle football”, 87% responded before high school (vs. 45%).  However, 91% were very or somewhat concerned about the safety of kids playing tackle football (vs. 87%). Additional data will be presented showing similarities and differences in the HBM perceptions in these two groups. Conclusions: Prior national studies have described parents’ perceptions about youth TFB. We found almost all caregivers were concerned about safety yet still felt that children can start playing prior to high school. In this local study, caregivers’ perceptions had similarities and differences regarding the pros and cons of playing TFB when compared to a national study. Data collection is ongoing.