The State of New Jersey recently made headlines when the state’s high school sports governing body announced major changes to the way football would be handled moving forward.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association passed a bill that reduces in-season full-contact limits from 90 minutes per week to 15 minutes and preseason full-contact hours from unlimited to six.
“The image of the ‘rub some dirt on it’ football coach is really one of the past,” said Chuck Klaus, former president and current board member of the NJSIAA executive committee. “They want their kids to succeed, they want them to do well, but ultimately they want them healthy and safe.”
Reaction has been swift across the country on this issue. While some believe that it’s in the best interest of student athletes – others believe its weakening those students. We’ve attached some reaction to the bill’s passage at the bottom of this story.
This week FingerLakes1.com sat down with Dr. Robert Anderson, of Finger Lakes Health. He’s an expert on concussions, and had a lot to say about the changes in sports like football, but also about the changes coming in the medical community – as concussions become better understood.
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Reaction Online
https://twitter.com/amford789/status/1096405791425351681
One can still get their head rocked in 15 minutes
— Donnell Wilson (@Nelford) February 15, 2019
This won’t help the participation rate. It’ll make the game somewhat safer with head injuries, but high school kids like the contact. The game will also ultimately suffer because kids won’t learn how to tackle and will endure more injuries as a result.
— Steve Wilson (@cuseguysteve) February 14, 2019
More kids are gonna get injured in games because they will use improper technique
— Andrew Chimenti (@MrChimenti) February 14, 2019
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