Arrr! The scallywag Governor Gavin Newsom be claimin' he'll veto a bill that seeks to ban youth tackle football. Walk the plank, I say!
2024-01-17
Arrr, me hearties! California's Gov. Gavin Newsom be shoutin' from his ship that he'll be vetoing a bill to ban wee lads from playin' tackle football till they be twelve. But fear not, me mateys, for he be claimin' he'll be workin' with them lawmakers to keep it safe! Ahoy!
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he will veto a proposed ban on tackle football for children under the age of 12. The bill, put forward by Democratic Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, had received support from advocates who hoped it would lead to a ban. However, Newsom made it clear that he believes an outright ban is not the answer to concerns over the health and safety of young athletes. California lawmakers do have the power to override Newsom's veto, but this has not happened in over 40 years, making it unlikely that a ban will be implemented.The rise in popularity of flag football among youth leagues has prompted discussions about the safety of tackle football for young children, specifically in relation to concussions. However, the bill received backlash from coaches, kids, and parents who wore football jerseys to a public hearing at the California Capitol to express their opposition.
Newsom has taken action in the past to address safety concerns in youth football, signing a law in 2021 that limits full-contact practices and requires coaches to undergo concussion training. He has stated that he will continue to work with experts and stakeholders to ensure that California maintains high standards for youth football safety.
While Newsom acknowledges the importance of protecting young athletes, he believes that completely banning tackle football is not the solution. He wants to work with lawmakers to strengthen safety measures in youth football without eliminating tackling up to a certain age.
Research from the University of Washington Medicine's Sports Health and Safety Institute and the Seattle Children's Research Institute has found that around 5% of youth players aged 5 to 14 sustain football-related concussions each season.
Overall, Newsom's decision to veto the ban on tackle football for young children has received support from those who believe that a complete ban is unnecessary, while others argue that more needs to be done to protect young athletes from the risks of the sport.