California Democrat Gov Newsom shoots down bill to ban youth tackle football, averts big gov outrage

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will not sign a bill intended to ban tackle football for children under the age of 12, in the series of more recent decisions posing himself as a moderate Democrat. 

"I will not sign legislation that bans youth tackle football," Newsom said Tuesday, according to local outlet KCRA. "I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of our young athletes, but an outright ban is not the answer."

Newsom pledged to work with the state legislature to ensure safety in football while also protecting the rights of parents to decide which sports their children should participate in.

His announcement against the bill came one day before Fox News planned on airing a segment with the bill's main opponent, who is a longtime youth football coach, according to Politico.

Newsom has repeatedly shot down speculation that he would run for president in 2024 and has been promoting President Joe Biden's reelection efforts.

Passing the bill would have made it more difficult for Democrats to defend themselves against Republican attacks claiming that the left supports government overreach in American institutions. Additionally, according to the D.C.-based outlet, Newsom would rather showcase Biden's track record than respond to attacks about out-of-touch coastal elites. 

"Football is the number one thing on TV. It’s an economic driver across our economy for advertising dollars and teams and athletes and coaches," Los Angeles Democratic strategist Douglas Herman said. "This is a legislative overreach that makes California conform to the stereotype that everyone wants to have."

Newsom has taken a more moderate position in a series of vetos this fall. Some of the vetoed bills would have decriminalized hallucinogens, forced parents to affirm their child's gender identity and blocked the state's prison system from referring illegal immigrant felons to U.S. Immigrations and Customs and Enforcement.

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