California bill banning youth tackle football gets cold shoulder from Gavin Newsom
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Governor Gavin Newsom has declined to support a Democratic bill that aimed to ban tackle football for children under 12 in the state. In an interview with Politico, Newsom stated that the decision to allow children to participate in such a sport should be left to families.
My administration will work with the Legislature and the bill’s author to strengthen safety in youth football – while ensuring parents have the freedom to decide which sports are most appropriate for their children, Gov. Newsom said. Although he expressed concerns about the health and safety of young athletes, he believes that an outright ban is not the solution.
The bill, labeled AB 743, was introduced by Sacramento Democrat Kevin McCarthy, who emphasized the potential negative health effects of playing tackle football, such as concussions and cardiac arrest.
This is not the first time McCarthy has proposed legislation related to youth football. In 2020, Newsom vetoed a similar bill by McCarthy that aimed to establish a committee to study CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in youth football. The governor cited his prior Youth Football Act, which introduced enhanced safety guidelines for the sport, as the reason for his decision.
While some activists argue that the sport is too dangerous for children, others support Newsom’s stance. Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a former Harvard football player, and WWE professional wrestler, believes that children are not capable of fully comprehending the risks associated with playing football at a young age.
I don’t have a problem with NFL players, who are adults and understand the risk and are compensated, risking CTE, Nowinski said. I can’t imagine a world in which we have children, who don’t understand the risk, doing this for fun (and) taking the same risk with their brain.
Dr. Ann McKee, neuropathology director at the VA Boston Healthcare system and a pioneer in CTE research, has witnessed firsthand the brain injuries associated with football in young individuals.
We have kids that are coming in with brain damage, and brain damage that is significant, McKee warned.
California’s decision not to pursue a complete ban on youth tackle football highlights the ongoing debate regarding the sport’s safety. While concerns about potential health risks persist, Governor Newsom believes that collaborative efforts between the government, the Legislature, and parents can lead to improved safety measures for young athletes.
It remains to be seen whether additional safety guidelines will be put in place to protect children who participate in tackle football or if more widespread restrictions will be implemented in the future. As the discussion continues, the well-being of young athletes will remain at the forefront, with advocates on both sides of the argument passionately voicing their concerns.
