- A St. George youth football team was benched due to player size concerns.
- The league cited safety issues and said 11 players were classified over 160 pounds.
- Parents and players argue age equality and fairness in the league's decision.
ST. GEORGE — A youth football team in St. George was sidelined on Tuesday night — not because of poor performance or rule violations, but because of their players' size.
The Pineview Panthers, made up of eighth graders ages 12 to 14, were set to play a league game in the Southern Utah Nevada Youth Football League. But the league canceled the matchup, citing safety concerns due to the number of large players on the team.
League officials said the team includes 11 players classified as "X-Men" — a designation for athletes over 160 pounds. Eight of those players also played eighth-grade football last year and returned this season. League President Darry Alton described the team as "stacked," comparing them to "the Avengers," and said many of the players could be competing at the junior or varsity level.
"It became dangerous for our guys to play against these young men," Alton told KSL-TV.
It became dangerous for our guys to play against these young men.
–Darry Alton, Southern Utah Nevada Youth Football League
The decision has left players and parents frustrated.
"For me to be told I can't play — I'm really mad inside," said Saia Lao.
"I think it's kind of ridiculous," added teammate Monti Alisa. "You can't blame genetics. Some people are born tall, some are born big."
Parents argue that the boys are the same age as others in the league and should be allowed to play regardless of their size.
Simply because of their size, they are not allowed to take their own talent to the field. It's not fair.
–Aniva Lao
"These boys are 14. They are the same age as every other boy on the field," said Aniva Lao. "Simply because of their size, they are not allowed to take their own talent to the field. It's not fair."
Coach Eli Akau emphasized that many of the players just turned 14 recently and are being unfairly penalized.
Despite the controversy, the team has played two games this season and won both without any injuries or blowout scores. The league said the season isn't canceled and is working to find other teams for the Panthers to play.
But for now, the players just want to get back on the field.
