California Bill to Ban Tackle Football for Kids Under 12 Sparks Debate Over Player Safety

A proposed bill in California has ignited a heated debate over the safety of youth football, with supporters arguing it would protect children from potentially life-threatening injuries, and opponents claiming it would alienate and disadvantage disadvantaged youth.

The tragic deaths of seven middle and high school football players in August alone have heightened concerns about the safety of the sport, prompting calls for stricter regulations and increased awareness of the risks involved. In response to these alarming incidents, California is considering a bill that would ban tackle football for children under the age of 12.

California Bill to Ban Tackle Football for Kids Under 12 Sparks Debate Over Player Safety

Advocates of the bill, including parents of deceased players, argue that banning tackle football for younger children would significantly reduce the likelihood of catastrophic injuries. They cite statistics showing that the vast majority of youth football-related deaths occur in the tackle version of the sport.

However, opponents of the bill, such as Jay Earhart, commissioner of Sacramento Youth Football, contend that the legislation is an overreach that fails to address the underlying causes of youth football deaths. They argue that the switch to flag football, which is non-contact, would alienate inner-city and rural youth from playing football and deprive them of its benefits.

California Bill to Ban Tackle Football for Kids Under 12 Sparks Debate Over Player Safety

"This bill is not about children's safety," Earhart said. "It's about taking away opportunities from our kids."

Proponents of the bill counter that while flag football may not offer the same level of physicality as tackle football, it still provides children with opportunities for exercise, socialization, and teamwork. They believe that the potential benefits of flag football far outweigh the risks associated with tackle football, especially for younger children.

California Bill to Ban Tackle Football for Kids Under 12 Sparks Debate Over Player Safety

Attorney Matt Wetherington, founder of the Georgia-based law firm Wetherington Law Firm, maintains that school football is still lagging behind in terms of implementing safety measures to protect children. He emphasizes that coaches, school boards, and districts are not following through on necessary protections, even if they are state-mandated.

Marty McNair, father of Jordan McNair, a 19-year-old University of Maryland player who died of heatstroke during a football practice, is an advocate for increased safety measures in youth football. He advises parents to be proactive in understanding the safety protocols in place where their children play, to make sure they know it's okay to speak up if they feel unwell or unsafe on the field, and to prioritize their child's safety above all else.

California Bill to Ban Tackle Football for Kids Under 12 Sparks Debate Over Player Safety

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR), there were 16 total football-related deaths in 2023, nine of which occurred in middle or high school. Traumatic deaths, including head and spine injuries, accounted for four deaths in 2021, three in 2022, and two in 2023 among middle and high school students. Exertional deaths, including heat stroke and cardiac arrest, accounted for nine deaths in 2019, seven in 2020, 11 in 2021, five in 2022, and five in 2023.

While all 50 states have laws aimed at preventing sports-related concussions, heat-stroke related laws are rarer. States that do have such laws include Florida, Texas, California, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

California Bill to Ban Tackle Football for Kids Under 12 Sparks Debate Over Player Safety

The debate over youth football safety is likely to continue as more research is conducted and parents and legislators weigh the risks and benefits of tackle football for younger children. Until then, it is imperative that coaches, schools, and parents prioritize the safety of young players and provide them with the necessary resources to minimize the risk of catastrophic injuries.