NY lawmakers considering a ban on kids under 12 from playing tackle football

New York State lawmakers are considering a measure that would ban kids twelve and younger from playing tackle football.

State lawmakers met in New York City Tuesday morning to hear testimony on youth tackle football. Some doctors say there’s too much risk and that it’s a “collision sport that can cause brain damage.”

“The developing brain may be at a higher risk of injury. Brain maturation peaks at ages 8 to 12 with a growth spurt in the latter part of the first decade. The immature brain is more susceptible to injury because it is still developing,” Mark Drakos, M.D, Orthopedic Surgeon, said.

Dr. Drakos says that the majority of impacts in the sport are “sub-concussive” meaning they may not show signs of a concussion-like memory loss or headache.

“We are discovering that these sub-concussive impacts may be silent injuries but are a cause of increasing concern.”