The Culture and Future of Youth Tackle Football in California

KQED's Forum

KQED

News Commentary, News, Politics

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 31 January 2024

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Governor Gavin Newsom pledged this month to veto a bill that would ban tackle football for children under 12. Sponsored by Sacramento assemblymember Kevin McCarty, the bill was designed to protect children from the potentially debilitating long-term effects of repeated head injury. But even as evidence of its potential harm mounts, youth football culture in California is deeply ingrained, with the state producing talented players and successful teams year after year. Advocates for youth tackle football say that it fosters community and camaraderie, and provides access to education and upward mobility. We’ll look at the culture – and future – of youth tackle football in California. Guests: Kate Wolffe, health care reporter, Cap Radio Albert Samaha, investigative reporter, Washington Post; author, "Concepcion: Conquest, Colonialism, and an Immigrant Family’s Fate" and "Never Ran, Never Will: Boyhood and Football in a Changing American Inner City" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:56.9	The 49er Faithful are celebrating the team's spot in the Super Bowl,
1:02.5	and Taylor Swift fans are wondering if she'll get back from Tokyo in time to cheer on the Chiefs Travis Kelsey.
1:05.2	Yes, football is big right now.
1:09.0	Overall, though, participation in the sport has been on the decline,
1:14.0	as more has been learned about the risk of brain injury, especially among kids in California.
1:23.1	But you wouldn't know it with Governor Newsom's refusal to consider a ban on youth tackle football or the passionate parents who came out to defend the sport.
1:25.9	So where do Californians stand on football?
1:29.0	Like all things in our state, it's complicated.
1:31.8	We take a closer look next on Forum.
	...

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