Senator Kennedy to Lead Fight to Stop Proposed Youth Football Ban

Kennedy will gather local youth football players and coaches to call for Albany lawmaker to withdraw legislation that would ban youth football.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, is fighting to stop a proposed statewide ban on youth football. Kennedy and youth football players and coaches will gather together Thursday at 3 p.m. outside Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium in Buffalo to rally against legislation introduced in the State Assembly to prohibit children under age 11 from playing youth football. Kennedy is calling for the proposed measure to be withdrawn from consideration.

“Buffalo is a football city where many families rely on youth sports to help teach children positive behaviors and valuable characteristics like discipline, leadership and teamwork at an early age,” said Senator Kennedy. “We must always keep children’s safety in mind, but banning youth football is not the right approach. By restructuring practices and focusing on teaching the fundamentals, we can protect our children while still allowing them to take part in activities, like organized football, that help build character and keep them active.”

The bill to ban youth football was introduced earlier this month. It would prohibit children under age 11 from playing football. The legislation can be read here: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A4529-2013. Kennedy wants the bill to be withdrawn from consideration.

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Senator Timothy M. Kennedy represents the New York State Senate’s 63rd District, which is comprised of the towns of Cheektowaga, the city of Lackawanna and nearly all of the city of Buffalo. More information is available at http://kennedy.nysenate.gov.