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Mass. among states looking to ban tackle football for small children

NEEDHAM, Mass. — Massachusetts is joining a handful of other states looking to ban tackle football for small children.

There is a bill in the State House that would set a limit on when kids can begin hitting on the grid iron.

Some youth football leagues let kids begin tackling as young as 5 years old.

This new bill would ban tackling across the state until a player reaches the eighth grade.

Most people would agree, at any age and any size, tackle football is a violent game.

House Bill No. 2501 says: “No child in grade seven or under shall play, practice, or otherwise participate in organized tackle football.”

We talked to one of the bill's sponsors, state Rep. Jim Hawkins, D-Attleboro, over the telephone.

“The damage that it does to young people is much worse, it’s much longer lasting, worse than what would happen to someone who is older, maybe in their mid-teens," Hawkins said.

For years, studies have shown concussions and repeated blows to the head are dangerous, especially for young children with developing brains.

Cheryl Daggett of Wellesley said her daughter pulled her 7-year-old grandson out of Pop Warner because it was simply too violent.

“Even that, you know, they were tackling him. He’s tiny," Daggett said.

William McClellan's son began playing tackle football in third grade. He said he had no problems. McClellan believes families should decide whether or not tackle football is safe.

"I think it should be the parent’s choice on that one," said McClellan, of Framingham.

Daggett said, “I agree with that. It should be a personal decision.”

But Hawkins believes it's time for state lawmakers to step in.

"I think it’s our job to get involved with social issues, that’s what we’re hired for. I don’t think it’s that intrusive at all," Hawkins said.

Just last year, five other states tried to pass similar bills.

But those proposals in California, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey have not become law.