California lawmakers who want to ban tackle football for kids under 12 to reduce brain injuries gained ground this week in the Legislature but still face a very long field and a clock that is ticking.
Though it was a school day, dozens of children wearing football jerseys and their parents crowded into the hearing room and watched as the Assembly committee that regulates sports voted 5-2 to send the bill to the full chamber.
The full Assembly has only until the end of January to approve it. If they do, it goes to the Senate and then Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Heightened concern over concussions and the growing popularity of flag football are driving the