Members of the Baltimore (Md.) City Council have introduced a bill that would increase safety for youth football players in the city by requiring emergency medical assistance be readily available at youth football games.
Bill 22-0241 follows the recently passed Elijah Gorham Act, named after a Mervo High School football player who passed away from a football injury. Starting July 1, the Elijah Gorham Act requires all Maryland's public middle and high schools to develop an emergency action plan for sports-related injuries.
Not the city council wants to do what city schools have already implemented for contact sports and require emergency medical assistance be at the ready.
"Our first thought is for participating athletes, but we used medical professionals for spectators, so everybody in that environment is safe," Tiffany Bryd, coordinator of athletics for Baltimore City Schools told the local ABC affiliate. "We believe it is beneficial when they're there for all parties."
"It shows City Council is really being proactive in protecting our youth in the City of Baltimore," added Quinton Matthews, athletic director of Baltimore Recreation and Parks.
The council has not yet set a date to vote on the bill.
