A proposed bill on Beacon Hill would ban youth tackle football for children in grades seven and under, with a fine for schools or leagues found in violation. Proponents of the “NO HITS” (No Organized Head Impacts to Schoolchildren) Act say it's an important step in preventing brain disease among young people, with research out of Boston University adding to the collection of studies on the long-term harms that repeated hits to the head can have. Opponents of the bill say that it impedes parental choice and goes too far, preferring improved education about how to safely tackle instead.
Jim Braude was joined by Chris Nowinski, former Harvard football player and pro wrestler and co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and Dr. Robert Stern, co-author of the Boston University study and director of clinical research at Boston University’s CTE Center.
