News

NH school board member looking to ban football

DOVER, NH (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) A school board member in one New Hampshire city is looking to bring an end to the high school's football program.

In a meeting on Monday, Paul Butler, a retired physician and member of the Dover School Board, claimed that trying to stop football both at the high school and throughout Dover was the "moral" and "ethical" thing to do in light of recent studies on the sport's impact on overall health and well-being.

Butler reportedly cited literature that draws a connection between concussions incurred during football and long-term cognitive impacts in his argument.

The former physician also claims that young players will likely still lead with their heads even if coaches try to teach them how to properly tackle their opponent.

The subject was reportedly not discussed further during that meeting. There is currently no word on whether or not the board plans to discuss the subject at a meeting in the future .

Dover High School partnered with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital in a brain concussion study, and as a result, has some of the stricter policies in the state regarding how long an athlete must sit out for after a concussion.

Full Statement from the Dover School Board Chair Rocky D'Andrea:

A story about dropping football from Dover High School has caused quite a stir in our community, and it seems the entire seacoast. We need to be clear that the comments from Dr. Butler were his reaction to various studies he has read not the opinion of the Dover School Board. Termination of the DHS football program has not come before the board and is not on any agenda at this time. Dr. Butler's opinion was brought as a matter of interest only during our Oct. 1st meeting.