Tackle Football for Maine Kids Could Soon Be A Thing of the Past

A bill has been proposed by Maine lawmakers that could set age limits on who can not participate in youth football.

According to the Bangor Daily News, the bill is being sponsored by Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, and looks to create a commission that would determine a minimum age for Maine athletes to participate in tackle football and create legislation to set age limits.

The bill (LD 711) is being put forth concerning the long term effects of the contact sport which has been in the news a lot in recent years, specifically the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Longterm effects of CTE include depression, early onset dementia and

The commission would consist of 13 people who would review data on the health effects of tackle football and submit a report containing legislation to the Legislature in 2020.

According to the BDN, commission members would include representatives from the Maine Principal's Association, Maine School Superintendents Association and the Maine Athletic Trainers Association.