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

[Rain Man]

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.

[JakeF]

Flag football through grade 8, tackle football starts in the 9th grade. Nothing wrong with kids learning the game before they have to worry about getting pummeled. That also reduces the problem of that one kid who already has a beard in 7th grade.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

At no point in this thread, have I mentioned the word 'anger'

But anyone who doesnt play the game aggressively, is probably going to get hurt

My apologies. I've misinterpreted your posts on this subject.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My apologies. I've misinterpreted your posts on this subject.

Copy that, its all good

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by lcarus

As long as players know the risks going into it, I don't see what the problem is with a sometimes violent sport.

The issue is many don't have a say in it. Some parents just make their kids go play football. I don't project that on kids. Now, I do not agree that people claim football for those 18+ is morally wrong, because they have a choice and are of age to make decisions.

[saphojunkie]

One of the problems is that it isn't the tackling that is the problem. Wrapping your arms around a guy, bringing him to the ground - that's not what gives concussions.

It's the hits across the middle.

But, if you play essentially flag football until junior varsity, a TON of problems go away.

1. The sheer number of hits on the developing brain dramatically reduces. A lot of the research shows it's the amount of hits the brain takes over time vs. the couple big ones in the NFL.

2. It trains players to see the game as execution and not aggression. You don't learn from a young age that you go lay the wood on a guy. You learn to take good angles and read the play.

3. It allows parents to keep their kids in youth football. We are seeing attrition of good, young athletes who pick a different sport. This way, you can let your kid play until they're 16/17 years old, and by that time, if they have significant talent, it will have manifested, and they will already be getting recruited by universities and colleges. Then, you can make an informed decision about continuing to play tackle football.

I think JV is the way I would go, personally.

[Kiimo]

I for one am shocked that the usual clown car of Trump tards are calling California pussies for making common sense laws.

I loved playing football but concussions are real and my kids will not be playing it. It's a dying sport whether you like it or not.

[BlackHelicopters]

Can we have a national referendum( non-binding) on whether CA should secede?

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

I for one am shocked that the usual clown car of Trump tards are calling California pussies for making common sense laws.

I loved playing football but concussions are real and my kids will not be playing it. It's a dying sport whether you like it or not.

California is welcome to do as it pleases, but a ban is unneccesary

8th graders and below arent packing the mass, speed, or strength to dole out enough concussions with the frequency needed to cause lasting damage... concussions do happen, my bell got rung a few times playing junior league ball, same with my son

But kids that age are resilient, they can bonk their heads playing soccer or riding a bike too... its part of growing up