A New York state lawmaker introduced a bill last week that aims to prohibit children under the age of 11 from playing tackle football.
The legislation from Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, a Bronx Democrat, would apply to both school sports and private leagues, such as Pop Warner.
“Any school, adult, or league or other entity whose purpose is to allow children to participate in football, who allows children ten years of age or younger to play, practice, or otherwise engage in tackle football, shall be liable for a civil penalty,” the bill reads.
The legislation doesn’t prevent children ages 10 or under, however, from playing any form of football that doesn’t involve tackling.
“I want to protect the children,” Benedetto told the .