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Too Big To Play Football

A 12-year-old boy in Texas is said to be too big to play football. The boy is 6 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds. According to MyFoxDFW.com, Elijah practiced with the team for three weeks, then the weigh-in happened. After weigh-in, Elijah was he was too big and not allowed to play in the same league as his age and friends. He was told he would have to play in the league with players older than him; more his size.

The league's president pointed out that there has long been a rule that seventh-grader’s who weigh more than 135 pounds are not allowed on the team.

USA Today reports: "I don't want to play in school right now because it's people that's had experience and I want to get some experience first and then start playing," Elijah said. "I just want to play because my teammates are my friends. I know them. I don't want to go play for somebody else I don't know."

Elijah's mom Cindy has said the ruling upset her son. She is planning to protest the rule. USA Today quoted Cindy as saying, "For him to come home and just cry and go to his room and say, 'I give up.' I'm not going to let him give up. This is his dream. This is what he wants to do. And I'm going to make it happen." 

It’s been reported that other players were cut from the team for weight as well. While Elijah may pose a risk to his age league, it would be difficult for him to play against more experienced, older players. We’ll look forward to seeing how this story develops in the coming days.

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