Assembly Bill Proposes Banning Football for Kids Under 11
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: February 13, 2013
A bill introduced by a down state democrat from the Bronx last week would prohibit kids under the age of 11 from playing organized tackle football.
The proposed legislation isn't sitting well with local coaches and lawmakers, alike. Charles Turner coaches his two young boys and he's calling interference on banning football for kids.
"It would be wrong because what other sports would go?" asked Turner. "What other rights would be taken away?"
Turner has been coaching seven to nine-year-olds on the Webster Junior Warriors Junior Titans team for the last six years.
The team is part of a full contact pee wee league.
He says no one has ever been seriously injured on his watch.
Still, Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benedetto wants the sport banned for kids under 11 and danger is the main reason why.
He says the legislation prevents injuries during practices and games that could potentially lead to serious health conditions in the future.
"There are all kinds of ways for kids to get hurt," Turner pointed out. "I mean there's baseball, lacrosse, hockey, etc. The ability for the kids to not have a chance to play a specific sport should be totally up to them. "
State Assemblyman Mark Johns agrees.
"Taking away that part of growing up isn't right."
Some 12,000 bills are authored every two years in the assembly and less than seven percent ever get voted on.
Johns doesn't see this bill making it to the floor either and if it does, it likely won't have his support.
"From what I see on the surface here, I'm all for making Pee Wee and Pop Warner football safer. But not for an all out ban," Johns added.
