In a move local football fans will welcome, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that he will not sign into law a ban on youth tackle football.

A proposal to gradually ban tackle football in the state for children under 12 is scheduled for a vote in the state assembly later this month.

Newsom, however, said in a statement that he will not sign any potential bill even if the legislation is passed in the assembly.

The announcement all but ends any chance of it becoming law.

California lawmakers could potentially override a Governor’s veto, but that has not happened in the state in more than 40 years.

“I will not sign legislation that bans youth tackle football,” the governor said in a statement. “I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of our young athletes, but an outright ban is not the answer.”

The proposal would have gradually banned tackle football for children under 12 by 2029.

It cleared a legislative committee last week.

The announcement by the governor will ease the concerns of many local football fans.

According to an Associated Press story, which cited a California Interscholastic Federation’s participation survey, the number of teenagers playing high school football in the state fell by 18 percent between 2015 and 2022 before a small increase in 2023.

Part of that decrease, however, could be put down to COVID, with several high school sports seeing a decrease in number of participants during that time.