USA Football Supports Youth Tackle Football; Opposes Bans
USA Football delivered in-person testimony in support of youth tackle football at a pair of October state hearings in Massachusetts (Oct. 22) and New York (Oct. 29). USA Football voiced its opposition to age-based bans on tackle football and was joined at both hearings by Pop Warner Executive Director Jon Butler.
A big THANK YOU to Scott Hallenbeck and the efforts of @USAFootball to educate! Football has never been safer, and it's life lessons are invaluable. https://t.co/1GTaXL5dew
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 21, 2019
ICYMI: #USAFootball testified today before the NY State Assembly Committee on Health opposing a ban on youth tackle football.
— USA Football (@USAFootball) October 29, 2019
Read more, including full testimony from Scott Hallenbeck, Dr. Robert Zayas, Dr. Mark Herceg, Jon Butler, & Harry Harrington: https://t.co/mlbzphyhPb pic.twitter.com/Bs4jkAIYEg
Testifying with Hallenbeck and Butler in Massachusetts was Massachusetts Youth Football Alliance President Paul Dauderis. In New York, Hallenbeck and Butler were joined by Phelps Hospital (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) Concussion Program Director and Neuropsychologist Dr. Mark Herceg, Pop Warner Little Scholars Eastern Region Director Harry Harrington, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) High School Head Football Coach Michael O’Donnell and New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas.
Our collective focus – encompassing the entire youth football community – has positively changed the culture of youth football. By all of us working together, particularly in the past decade, youth tackle football is coached and played smarter and safer now than in any generation.
Scott Hallenbeck, #USAFootball CEO, speaking in support of youth football today at the New York State Assembly public hearing. pic.twitter.com/uwHnfZNB0U
— USA Football (@USAFootball) October 29, 2019
USA Football will continue to support youth tackle football with leaders across medicine and sport and will keep you informed of news surrounding these legislative matters.