We have seen on numerous instances this past NFL season that the game of football can be an extremely dangerous one. This appears to be the reason for a bill proposed by California Assemblyman Kevin McCarty in an effort to change youth football in the state.
A bill that has been proposed by McCarty on Monday was posted by Chris Fore on Twitter, who is an athletic director in Southern California. The proposed bill plans to ban tackle football for anyone under 12 years of age in all youth football organizations in the state.
California Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) is at it again: he wants to ban tackle football for children under 12. It is Assembly Bill 734, became public yesterday. Spread the word on this. @latsondheimer @HSFBamerica @BrandonHuffman @cayfalliance #AB734 pic.twitter.com/QuariCPFKa
— Chris Fore (@chriscfore) February 16, 2023
“This bill would, on and after January 1, 2026, prohibit a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, from allowing a person younger than 12 years of age to be a youth tackle football participant through the organization or league,” the bill reads.
This is something that has increasingly picked up traction across the United States. A tackle football bill has also been proposed in the state of New York earlier in February.
A bill to ban tackle football for children is not something that is uncommon in California. However, similar ideas haven’t gained a lot of traction in the past. A similar bill was proposed back in 2018 in the state but was ultimately pulled before even reaching a committee vote.
It certainly seems like the horrific injury to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin may be a huge factor in the movement to ban tackle football for youths considering the publicity that it received nationwide.
If this bill is ultimately passed, this would likely make flag football organizations for youth children far more common, or children may simply get a later start to the game of football.
