NYS Mulls Banning Tackle Football For Kids 12 And Under [POLL]

New research showing that playing tackle football from an early age leads to a higher probability of degenerative brain disease has spurred New York to consider a ban on the sport for children 12 and younger. Members of the state Assembly's health committee held a hearing Tuesday in New York City on legislation that would do just that.

Christopher Nowinski, co-founder of The Concussion Legacy Foundation, testified at the hearing that a Boston University study found that 223 out of 266 former football players had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease, the Democrat & Chronicle reported.

The study also said a football player's risk for developing the disease grew by 30 percent for every year they played the sport.

Nowinski said that some kids who play youth football receive up to 500 blows to the head during the season, and that has an impact on still-developing children's brains.

One person who testified for the legislation was T.J. Abraham, a 42-year-old OBGYN who can no longer practice because he was diagnosed with neurodegenerative dementia.

Abraham played football in high school and college as an offensive lineman, The New York Times said.

His doctors all agreed that rough and tumble football was at the root of his cognitive decline, though no one will know for certain until there is an autopsy after his death.

"I do not want to see anyone lose what I've lost or experience this disease," he said in written testimony, the Times reported.

One opponent of a ban is executive director of USA Football Scott Hallenbeck, who said his organization has implemented numerous ways to increase player safety.

He said helmets have improved to limit a hit's effect, but players are still told to avoid head shots, the New York Post said.

Hallenbeck said parents don't want the government to tell them their kids can't play football.

"Instead, they want to make informed decisions for themselves," he was quoted as saying in the Post.

Now it's time for you to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.