New York lawmakers are thinking about putting an end to tackle football for children 12 and under.
If they’re successful, New York will be the third state to ban the sport for kids, right behind Massachusetts and New Jersey, according to ABC News.
Now I’m sure a lot of y’all who played in Pop Warner and youth leagues are wondering what’s the big deal. Well, people are starting to change their minds about allowing kids to play tackle football due to the growing research regarding the dangers of concussions and their link to degenerative brain disease.
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Earlier this week, a hearing was held on the issue that featured testimony from doctors, coaches, researchers and ex-football players.
Research suggests a link between repeated concussions that are common in tackle football and traumatic brain injuries, which can result in memory and cognitive problems, depression and the gradual loss of brain function, according to the Mayo Clinic.
One study, which was published in the Annals of Neurology earlier this month, found that for every 2.6 years of repeated head collisions, an athlete’s risk for developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) — a degenerative brain disease — doubles.
Another study analyzed the brains of 202 deceased football players who had participated in any level of the game and diagnosed CTE in 87% of them. For athletes who went pro, the likelihood for CTE was even higher.
The NFL has voiced its skepticism about that research and the risks that athletes face. The NFL responded to the CTE study by saying “there are still many unanswered questions relating to the cause, incidence and prevalence of long-term effects of head trauma such as CTE.”
Roommates, do you think young children should be allowed to play tackle football? Let us know your thoughts on this one and as usual, we’ll keep you posted on the latest.
TSR STAFF: Christina C!
