Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski appears to be agreeing to strangling his sport in his crib by backing a California state legislature's proposed ban on tackle football for kids.
Due to the ban on tackle football for children under the age of 12, passed it Fox Business Network reported that he has been removed from the California Sports Commission and the matter could come up for a floor vote this month.
But Gronkowski has already personally signed off on the bill before it is considered by the full state House.
Currently appearing on FBN Claman countdown “I think it's a fair proposal and I'm in favor of it,” he said Wednesday.
He went on to say that the sport is “dangerous” for children.
“I love the game of football and I love that kids want to play the game of football. But I think it's a little bit dangerous to play the game of football at such a young age. ”
Instead, the former Patriots star said the state should encourage kids to start playing flag football in their youth before taking up football.
Rob Gronkowski visits “FOX & Friends” at the Fox News Channel Studios on September 10, 2019 in New York City. (Noam Garay/Getty Images)
“What I would like to suggest, and what I think should be more popular, is flag football. These kids should play flag football. You can still get attention at the game of soccer. Learn the game of soccer. You can also develop your soccer skills through flag football,” he said.
“Flag football is fun to play. I loved playing flags when I was a kid. I think it's a great idea to let kids under 12 play flag football, and I think it's a great idea to let kids under 12 play flag football, and I think it's a great idea to let kids play flag football around 7th grade, when their bodies and prejudices develop. I don't think we should be playing tackle football or an actual football game until then,” Gronkowski exclaimed. .
The former NFL player concluded that kids should also play multiple sports instead of focusing on one sport. This is because by doing so, “you will be able to develop skills in all categories necessary to improve the skills of the sport you want to play in the future.''
But California's left-wing governor, Gavin Newsom, disagrees. He has already said publicly that he will veto the tackle football ban if it reaches his desk.
“I will not sign any bill that bans youth tackle football,” Newsom said last week. “I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of our young athletes, but a complete suspension is not the answer.”
“We will continue to consult with health and sports medicine experts, coaches, parents, and community members to ensure California maintains the highest standards in the nation for youth soccer safety,” Newsom added. “We owe a lot to California’s many families who embrace youth sports.”
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Football is already a declining sport in California.
In 2015, 103,725 youth played tackle football, but by 2022, that number had dropped to 84,626, according to a California Interscholastic Federation participation survey.
Further restrictions on sport are likely to cause further decline in sport. Gronkowski basically means that fewer kids will play soccer, fewer kids will grow up interested in soccer, and ultimately fewer fans will be interested in watching soccer. I support the idea that it will impact the NFL in terms of a decrease.
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