I'm sure Marco Rubio would have preferred people talking about his health care plan that he just released. Instead, we're talking about him accidentally hitting a kid in the face with a football.

Rubio took it all in stride...

The kid is OKAY. Okay? We're not advocating that children should catch footballs with their faces. Quite frankly that kid should have made the catch, and should question the life choices that led to his fumble, but that's not the issue here. Our 'children are not moving football targets' disclaimer aside, here's why this incident was a good thing: the football-to-the-face incident gets filed under "engaging the culture," which is kind of our thing here... Also, who among us hasn't taken a ball to the face in our childhood? It's practically a rite of passage.

1. It drew attention because Rubio was playing a game with kids. We're at the point in the cycle where you only seem to get press attention by saying something crazy. Rubio, who is a football guy in general, stood out by doing something fun with kids and their families, as opposed to doing the usual politician things like just talking about kids and families. Would we be talking about all this had the kid caught the ball? Mmmm, no.
2. It garnered press on non-political websites like Mashable, ESPN, and Deadspin. I'm sure he would have preferred these sites talking about his college affordability plan, but if nothing else it introduced new audiences to the name Marco Rubio. Remember, there are still six months or so before people start voting.
3. Rubio doing something young and active draws a stark relief with senior Hillary Clinton, who didn't have a particularly good day yesterday (or of the past six to tenish years, give or take a few scandals when her and her husband Bill occupied the White House). Orange jumpsuits and bathroom server jokes not withstanding. Oh Hillary...

And there you have it. The top three reasons why Rubio was wise to aim for the kid's head. KIDDING.

As for the kid, he's ready for the rematch!

After the now famous dropped pass, my 4yr old nephew has been practicing. He says he's ready for @marcorubiopic.twitter.com/dPydAhvENr

— Jack Whitver (@jackwhitver) August 19, 2015