Offer Flag Football thru 6th grade or Raise the Age for Tackle Football

The evidence is overwhelming that concussions can cause permanent brain damage. A recent study by Boston University concluded that those who started playing football prior to age 12 performed "significantly worse" on three measures: estimated verbal IQ; executive function, which includes reasoning and planning; and memory impairment.

Despite the best intentions of initiatives like Heads Up Tackling, Youth Football Leagues are still largely run by volunteers that do not have the training nor supervision to ensure these protocols are always followed.

We want our children to play football that is developmentally appropriate for their growing brains. Flag football can provide the same opportunity to learn the game with less impact on their vulnerable minds and bodies.