California lawmakers are trying to ban kids under 12 from competing in tackle football. This step is being taken to reduce the chances of brain injuries in children. Assembly Bill 734, has cleared its first hurdle as the Assembly committee that regulates sports voted 5-2 to send the bill to the full chamber.
The legislation of Assembly Bill 734 reads as follows: “A youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, shall not allow a person younger than 12 years of age to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league.”
The Assembly Committee passed the Bill on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism on Wednesday, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and D-Sacramento authored it.
Kevin McCarty stated – “This bill is very simple It sets a standard that kids be 12 years old before they start playing tackle football because kids only have one brain, only have one life, and there’s irreversible damage to kids’ brains that is totally unnecessary.”
Assembly Bill 734 is sent to the full Assembly which has only until the end of January to approve the Bill and it will need at least 41 votes to move onto the next stage. If the Bill is approved by the full Assembly it will be sent to the senate and then Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Is tackle football really dangerous for children?
The Bill is being opposed by many youth football leagues as well as the National Football Alliance. Along with the Youth football leagues, some Assemblymen are also opposing Assembly Bill 734. Recently Assemblyman Tom Lackey opened up in a phone interview that banning youth tackle football will not solve the problem.
He said: “The sport of football is adapting and becoming smarter and shaking threatening practices “I understand that the risk is that kind of injury is pretty severe, but I also don’t think it’s prevalent,” Lackey said.
“I just don’t believe it’s a prevalent occurrence. It could be if we don’t take the measures that we’re taking. So, I do think that we need to pay attention to the risk. I don’t think it’s irrelevant. I think it’s important. But the way we manage that risk is not by eliminating the participation, it’s by regulating it.
We have witnessed countless deaths and injuries in different body contact sports over the years, but we must strive to minimize these fatalities as much as possible, at least for the generations after us. McCarty used references from medical studies that how dangerous tackle football injuries can be for children in the long run. This bill has divided people heavily as some are concerned about the dangers of tackle football and some are concerned that this move will finish the sport, only time will tell which way the tide will turn.”
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