To say I do not think highly of the job California Gov. Gavin Newsom has done during his time in office is like saying water is wet, the sky is blue and so on.
That said, I will give him or any other politician props when I think they did the right thing.
Newsom went on the record earlier this week and said he would veto any measure that would ban tackle football for children 12 and under in the state. Efforts by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, a Sacramento Democrat, had sought to garner enough support for AB 734. If passed, the bill would have not allowed for tackle football for California kids 12 and younger.
Having played such football what seems like 100 years ago as a kid in Pennsylvania, I undoubtedly took a few shots to the head and so on. There were also countless games outside when the winter weather was not fit for man nor beast. Still, I would not trade those childhood days for anything. With those memories, I wholeheartedly support boys and girls being allowed to play tackle football in California and elsewhere.
Such football games should be done in the safest manner possible. That is where the manufacturers of football game equipment, coaches, parents and even the athletes themselves come into play.
It is important for all of us to literally put our heads together and figure out how to keep these youngsters safe. At the same time, we should not rob them of an opportunity to play one of the most popular sports in America.
Back when I was a kid, we played tackle football on grassy fields and playgrounds. I can remember getting one of my legs torn up after being dragged on a small stone that was in the dirt. The tears flowed from my eyes due to the pain and freaking out over seeing blood come flowing out of my left leg. Decades later, I still carry a small scar on that leg. Maybe it is a badge of honor in some warped way.
While there may be more attempts down the road at getting such a bill passed here in the Golden State, Newsom has sacked it for now.
As a local parent or youth football player, do you support Newsom on his vow to veto such a bill if it comes across his desk?
Photo credit: Keith Johnston from Pixabay.
