Letter from Bill Cowher,
Former NFL player, coach and current CBS analyst:
No one loves football more than me. I want kids to continue to enjoy our game and benefit from the rewards of playing the ultimate team sport.
That's why it's important for young players, parents, and coaches to know about USA Football's Head Up Football program. Today the NFL's owners and teams committed $45 million to funding the growth of this program, including expanding it to high school football.
Heads Up Football is a comprehensive youth and high school football membership program developed by USA Football and supported by the NFL and other leaders in sport and medicine to advance player safety. The key components are coaching education and certification, concussion recognition and awareness, heat and hydration, and proper tackling techniques.
Nearly 2,800 youth football leagues across the United States representing approximately 600,000 players and 90,000 coaches committed to enhancing the health and safety of their players by registering for Heads Up Football in 2013.
I am a member of the Heads Up Football Advisory Committee, have participated in a Heads Up Football clinic, and strongly endorse the program. It's a better, safer way to play the game.
Find out if your team and league are part of the Heads Up Football movement. If not, make sure they visit http://usafootball.com/headsup and sign up.