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John Kobylt welcomes Petros Papadakis to the show to discuss California potentially taking bold steps toward protecting young athletes by banning youth tackle football.
A new bill in California proposed by Kevin McCarty would prohibit children under 12 from participating in tackle football due to concerns about health risks, particularly brain trauma from repeated concussions. The bill would allow youths under 12 to play flag football instead.
Research shows that a single season of tackle football can affect the brains of players as young as 8 and increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can lead to memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, aggression, and dementia.
Tackle football at the high school level has been declining in California, while flag football has grown in popularity among both boys and girls. The proposed bill has faced opposition from those who argue it takes away a beloved American pastime from children, but proponents argue it offers a safer alternative.