Minimum age for tackle football gets initial OK

A plan to restrict Illinois children under 12 years old from playing tackle football cleared a legislative hurdle in the statehouse on Thursday.

The House Mental Health Committee passed the Dave Duerson Act to Prevent CTE, which was named in honor of the former Chicago Bears safety who killed himself at age 50 in 2011, and was later found to have suffered from the degenerative brain disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

The bill now moves to the House floor. If passed by the full state legislature, it would prevent children under 12 from participating in tackle football leagues.

State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, filed the bill in January, citing the increasing concern for protecting children from head trauma that could have detrimental long-term effects. According to neuroscientist Dr. Jake VanLandingham, the human brain continues to develop until a person turns 21. Sente said she believes her measure could “protect children’s brains” and protect the future of football.

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre has seen the aftermath of continuous blows to the head. He told the Chicago Sun-Times during a phone interview on Wednesday that although his health hasn’t declined since he retired in 2010, Favre is “absolutely 100 percent” concerned about his future health. He said he believes that “probably 90 percent” of the tackles he endured resulted in some kind of concussion.

Favre — who said he’d much rather caddie for his three grandsons than watch them play football — said he supports states passing laws to protect youngsters who participate in contact sports.

In a previous statement, Brian Heffron, a spokesman for Pop Warner, said that while the youth football organization encourages player safety, they “don’t agree banning football for young people is the answer.”

“We can’t imagine elected officials mandating to parents which sports their children can play,” Heffron said. “Literally millions of young people have played Pop Warner football for nearly 90 years and have grown up to be healthy, successful adults contributing to society in so many ways. We think the life lessons, experiences and memories from playing this great team sport far outweigh the risks.”

Contributing: Associated Press