California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he won’t sign a proposed ban on tackle football for kids under 12

By Adam Beam | The Associated Press FILE – Bruce Bertram, 7, listens as lawmakers discuss a proposed bill that would ban children under 12 from playing tackle football in California Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would not sign the bill, saying he is concerned about the health and safety of young athletes but an outright ban is not the answer. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,File) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will not ban tackle football for children under 12 after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly promised he would not sign the bill if it were to reach his desk, blocking a proposal that had become a proxy for parental rights in a presidential election year. “I will not sign legislation that bans youth tackle football,” Newsom said in a statement late Tuesday. “I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of our young athletes, but an outright ban is not the answer.” It’s rare for Newsom, a father of four now in his second term, to publicly weigh in on legislation before it reaches his desk. But his decision to quash the proposed ban on youth tackle football before it even got...