Right before kickoff classic, teams set a weight limit and players "weigh in". Weight limitations pertaining to all positions handling the ball (QB, RB, WR, TE).. If these children do not make weigh in, they are given a yellow dot on their helmets to wear for the season. Allowing both teams and referees to see that they did not make weigh in.
There is NO MAXIMUM weight limitations for participation in the WGYFL! Let me repeat, there is NO MAXIMUM weight limit.
This needs to be reinforced and changed immediately.
A 10/11 year old average lineman is 85-100 lbs and 5ft-5'5ft tall.
An incident happened on kickoff classic this past Sunday at Charleroi Stadium. Where West Mifflins lineman tripled Charleroi's entire line of lineman. Sending multiple children to the local emergency room with dislocations, torn muscles, severe bruising, etc. Which very well could have been prevented.
One particular 6'3, roughly 285lb, 12 year old was caught spearing, body slamming, and grabbing Charleroi lineman by the helmet and driving them into the ground. There are multiple illegal hits from these oversized lineman, that given a few more inches up, could have ended an 10 year olds football season for good or possibly his life.
This particular 12 year old, along with 3 others, should have been benched while the West Mifflin coach had his average size players put in. Instead, he used these kids weight and anger as weapons to win a Kickoff Classic.
This needs to stop and we as parents, need to put a stop to it.
Yes. every child has a right to play, however, play smart and legally.
When safety is jeopardized. Coaches need to be made to make proper arrangements for these larger players. Rules need to be reinforced and redone.
Too many accidents are happening in an already rough sport. If we can prevent such incidents from occurring due to size, then it needs to be done.
Please sign and support our children's safety in youth football.
Do not allow this to continue!
