NFL HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE -- OCTOBER 16, 2013
HEADS UP FOOTBALL AMBASSADORS VISIT YOUTH LEAGUES
Former NFL players now serving as Heads Up Football Ambassadors have been working with Heads Up leagues across the country in recent weeks, reinforcing the essentials of Heads Up tackling and emphasizing the positive values of football participation.
ESPN analyst Merril Hoge returned to the Fort Thomas Junior Football League in Fort Thomas, Ky. It was Hoge's second visit to the league, where he met with coaches, administrators, parents and players.
"I felt it was important to go back over the goals, techniques and objectives of Heads Up Football," Hoge said. "We are all the gatekeepers to this great sport and the corrections we are making, along with a few changes, will take time. But the key is for all of us to be on the same page and teaching the correct things on a consistent basis."
Former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Karl Swanke met with Colchester Cougars Youth Football players in Colchester, Vermont.
"They've come a long way as far as knowing ... about concussions and what they need to do," Swanke said. "I think that it's very important that we also train the children and the young athletes as best as possible to avoid any kind of concussions."
Mike Meade, who played running back for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, attended practice and games for the Middletown Odessa Townsend Youth Football and Cheerleading League in Middletown, Dela. Meade was able to reach all 24 teams in the league between his two visits.
Former Chicago Bears running back Ralph Kurek helped at a clinic for the Fairfax Patriots Youth Football League in Fairfax, Vermont. Close to 100 players from around the state participated. Fairfax was one of two selected programs in Vt. this year.
"It's a way of giving back to the sport that's given me a lot," Kurek said. "I owe football a lot, so I'm very thankful for that. It's a way to give back to the young kids coming out. It's something I never even had, but hopefully this will help them enjoy the game even more."
Other Heads Ups Football ambassadors that visited youth teams in October include: LaVar Arrington, Kenny Blair, Steve Conley, Vernon Crawford, Troy Drayton, Adam Goldberg, Jeff Hartings, Lester Holmes, Gary Howe, Burnie Legette, Blaine Mcelmurry, Karl Mecklenburg, Marty Moore, Art Plunkett, Eugene Robinson, Kendrick Rogers, Craig Terrill and Vince Workman.
HEADS UP FOOTBALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY EVENTS
Heads Up Football Advisory Committee member Chris Golic spent time with Heads Up Football league the New Britain Hurricanes last week, along with her husband Mike Golic, co-host of ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" show. Chris spoke with parents about the league's adjustment to Heads Up tackling, demonstrating how to use the Heads Up app and listening to their feedback on the app.
Mike spoke with the players about the importance of Heads Up tackling and praised the league for adopting the USA Football program. "The New Britian Hurricanes could be the model group for little league football around the country with their implementation and on-field application of the Heads Up Football program," he said.
LaVar Arrington, a Heads Up Football Advisory Committee member and Heads Up Football Ambassador, visited T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. with his family on Saturday as part of the NFL-National PTA Back to Sports partnership. Arrington spoke with parents and athletes in attendance about the importance of parental involvement in youth sports and addressed Heads Up tackling. The event included a Heads Up station where families were able to learn more about proper tackling. T.C. Williams High School's program was one of many Back to Sports events taking place across the country this fall. The NFL and National PTA created the Back to Sports program to help communities on youth sports safety issues, including NFL PLAY 60, hydration and concussion management. National PTA President Otha Thornton, who attended the event, is a member of the Heads Up Advisory Committee. To learn more, visit www.nflevolution.com/backtosports.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS CELEBRATE GATORADE JUNIOR TRAINING CAMP AND HEADS UP FOOTBALL:
49ers Youth Football celebrated the completion of their 75th Heads Up Football-Gatorade Junior Training camp of the year. More than 8,000 boys and girls, ages 7-14, have been introduced to Heads Up tackling through these camps.
"This summer we significantly increased our 49ers Gatorade Junior Training Camp offerings and found this to be a great vehicle to teach thousands of kids in our community the foundations of proper tackling," said 49ers Manager of Youth Football, Jared Muela. "While we understand that all the participants may not choose to play organized tackle football, we want to give all of them the skills to properly execute a tackle. You can never practice this skill too much or too soon."
In recognition of their outstanding work in the community, including their uniquely impactful programming related to the PLAY 60 campaign and the integration of health and safety initiatives through youth football events, the 49ers were recently recognized with the 2013 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy.
-- NFL Communications
