This week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom made the decision to veto a bill that would have banned youth football in the state, and
Steve Famiano, the co-founder of the California Youth Football Alliance, was one of the main voices opposing the proposed ban. After Newsom decided to veto the bill, Famiano offered his praise for the decision which he called “common sense.”
“It was starting to be all over national news, and I think that put a black eye on our state,” Famiano said according to Politico. “I think a lot of us as Californians were embarrassed, like, ‘We’re kicking off the 2024 legislative year with this?’ It just didn’t make any sense from a political standpoint for anybody to engage in this.”
Ultimately, Newsom decided that while he does want to protect children in the state and does want to see football become safer, he does not think that an outright ban on youth football is the answer to the problem.
“I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of our young athletes, but an outright ban is not the answer,” Newsom said in a statement to Politico. “My administration will work with the Legislature and the bill’s author to strengthen safety in youth football — while ensuring parents have the freedom to decide which sports are most appropriate for their children.”
We’ll have to see how California moves past this decision.
