California lawmakers proposing pre-high school ban on tackle football.
 

Apparently it's not the first time it's been proposed, with previous attempts in New York and other current bills in Illinois and New York. I wasn't aware of that.

This could make peewee football unwatchable. There'll be huge drops in attendance.

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/article199531854.html

Youth tackle football targeted for ban in California as head trauma concerns grow
The Associated Press

February 10, 2018 04:46 PM

Updated February 11, 2018 10:30 AM

Two California lawmakers want to outlaw tackle football leagues until teenagers reach high school, saying delaying the start of high-contact elements of football would protect young people from long-term brain damage.

Children can learn the skills they need to succeed at the sport from non-contact flag football, Democratic Assembly members Kevin McCarty of Sacramento and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher of San Diego said in announcing their legislation on Thursday.

Their bill follows similar legislation under consideration in Illinois and New York. Legislation has been introduced several times since 2013 in New York but has not gained traction.

In Illinois, the Dave Duerson Act to Prevent CTE is named for the Chicago Bears defensive back who was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy after he killed himself at 50.

Duerson shot himself in the chest so his brain could be studied for signs of the disease that has been linked to concussions or repeated head trauma.

“The science is clear: head injuries sustained at a young age can harm kids for the rest of their lives,” Gonzalez Fletcher said in a statement.

California has strengthened concussion protocols for youth sports but that’s not enough, the lawmakers said.

CTE is a degenerative disease known to cause memory loss, violent moods and other cognitive difficulties. It can only be diagnosed after death.

After years of denials, the NFL has acknowledged a link between head blows and brain disease and agreed in 2015 to a $1 billion settlement with former players.

Many NFL players, including Drew Brees, have supported non-tackle football for all kids before high school.

Flag Football would still allow coaches to teach fundamentals and concepts, without the threat of brain injury.

I think this is the future of football.

Yeah, it's inevitable. And then about 10 years after that, the ban will move up to include high school players. And then after that...well, sell your season tickets.

I think it’ll definitely evolve but I can’t foresee a total ban on tackling in the NFL.

But just for grins, let’s say that happens.

What actually changes? These guys today are phenomenally athletic. The plays DB’s are making in the passing game, without interfering, is INSANE.

People will still hit the turf. Guys will still make crazy plays.

The only difference will be that we’ll actually know what’s a tackle, when forward progress has been stopped and so on.

If you want to see some sad shit, watch Friday Night Tykes on Netflix.


JFC, you’ll want to stab the coaches when you see them.

I won't get to watch hits like this any more. And that's sad.

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Where does it stop. There are people that want to take headers out of soccer and want machine pitch up until high school for baseball...

As a soccer coach....I think the no header rule is stupid. We currently can’t do it until 14U but it should be allowed after 10-12.

I'm not sure how that hit wouldn't happen in Flag Football but it would definitely be a penalty, as it is today.

Doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I played pee wee football and some of my friends for sure got their bell rung a few times as did I. If it protects the youngsters till high school im for it and maybe they will be able to hit better without paralyzing and concussing yourself or someone else

Waiting until HS for tackle football is probably the best way to go. Then again, once they reach the HS level, teaching proper tackling technique becomes priority #1.

I still dont understand why they outfit players with equipment they can use as weapons. Should just adopt rugby's model.

Where are we gonna put the logos ?

California has been leading the nation in being a pussy for years

Also, just replace the players with battle robots

Then an ACL tear only takes a few minutes to swap out