California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a proposal to ban youth tackle football, a decision that has sparked controversy and debate. The bill, brought forth by the California Assembly, aimed to end tackle football for children under the age of 12. However, Newsom believes that an outright ban is not the answer to the health and safety concerns associated with the sport.
According to Politico, the national GOP planned to use the proposed ban as a talking point for the 2024 election year. The timing of the veto is also notable, as it came just days before Fox News was reportedly set to air a segment featuring a longtime youth football coach who opposes the bill.
In his statement explaining the veto, Newsom expressed concern for the well-being of young athletes but emphasized the importance of allowing parents to make decisions about their children’s sports participation. He stated that his administration would work with the Legislature and the bill’s author to strengthen safety measures in youth football.
It remains unclear whether there is a path forward for the bill, both in California and in other states that have explored similar bans. New York State Democrats introduced a similar bill in 2023, but it never made it to a full vote on the Assembly floor. Michael Benedetto, a New York Assemblymember and longtime youth sports safety advocate, has introduced similar bans for a decade without success. Benedetto acknowledges the contentious nature of the issue and the resistance he faces, with some viewing him as “wussifying” American children.
The concern for player safety in youth tackle football is supported by scientific evidence. A 2021 study by the CDC found that athletes between the ages of 6 and 14 sustained 15 times more head impacts playing tackle football compared to flag football. Additionally, high-magnitude head impacts were 23 times more frequent in tackle football.
The debate over youth tackle football safety is not limited to the United States. In 2019, Canada banned tackle football for children aged 12 and under due to player safety concerns. This decision followed a 40% decrease in football participation in Canada over the previous decade.
Similar declines in tackle football participation have been observed in the United States. Between 2016 and 2021, regular participation in tackle football among children aged 6 to 12 decreased by 26%, according to survey data from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. In response, the NFL has invested in youth flag football programs, with NFL FLAG reportedly leading to over 1,600 teams and 620,000 athletes aged 4 to 17 playing flag football across all 50 states.
Interestingly, the Washington Post reports that more children aged 6 to 12 now play flag football than tackle football. However, at the high school level, tackle football remains the most popular sport by a wide margin, with participation increasing by about 5% from 2021 to 2022 after a drop during the pandemic, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
The decision to veto the youth tackle football ban in California has reignited the ongoing discussion surrounding player safety and the future of the sport. As more studies and evidence emerge, policymakers, parents, and sports organizations will continue to grapple with finding the right balance between protecting young athletes and preserving the tradition of tackle football.
