Youth tackle football can resume in Anne Arundel County under strict safety guidelines

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY — Youth tackle football can resume in Anne Arundel County under strict safety guidelines.

On August 27, Anne Arundel County had announced a modified fall football season limited to flag football, based on the Maryland Sports Commission’s Return to Play Committee Report guidelines.

In the report, football is listed as a “high contact” sport, and recommended to proceed only at Stage 3, with local health officer approval.

At that time, Maryland was in Stage 2 of the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.

On Tuesday, Governor Larry Hogan announced that Maryland would begin Stage 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery, effective September 4 at 5:00 p.m.

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Considering this announcement, County Executive Steuart Pittman and Director of Recreation and Parks Rick Anthony, in consultation with county health officials, will allow the youth football season to resume with tackle.

County health officials continue to be concerned about the current number of COVID cases and the recent uptick in the county’s case rate and positivity rate.

In Anne Arundel County, COVID-19 is still spreading through community transmission. At this point, the Department of Health recommends that high risk fall sports, including football and competitive cheer, make modifications to decrease risk, such as converting from tackle to flag football and continuing competitive cheer without stunts.

Football leagues that choose to move forward with tackle football and competitive cheer teams that choose to move forward with stunts should put additional safety measures in place to reduce distance and contact per CDC recommendations.

The Department of Recreation and Parks will be issuing additional guidance on regulations and requirements for the fall youth football season. Information will be posted to the department’s website.