NFL UPDATE -- JULY 30, 2014
RAVENS LAUNCH CAPOLOGIST LIFEJOURNEY PROGRAM
The Baltimore Ravens recently unveiled an innovative new partnership that will allow middle and high school students to simulate managing the Ravens' salary cap. Through the organization LifeJourney, LifeJourney Capologist exposes real-life opportunities and career interests for youth to pursue in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) through an online simulation.
LifeJourney Capologist will be available throughout Maryland middle and high schools, reaching over 500,000 students. Students in the captology program will work with up-to-date, realistic salary figures for Ravens players. They can give players contract extensions, release those who they feel aren't contributing enough, or restructure contracts -- all while balancing a budget.
Pat Moriarty, the Ravens' Senior Vice President of Football Administration, will lead the Capologist LifeJourney. "I am honored to lead the Capologist LifeJourney and help students understand the role that math and finance can play in their future," Moriarty stated.
BILLS HOST FIRST MOMS CLINIC
The Buffalo Bills hosted their first ever Moms Clinic on Saturday, July 26. More than 60 moms attended the event at St. John Fisher College, where they received an overview of USA Football's Heads Up Football Program. After an introduction from coach Doug Marrone, moms heard from the Voice of the Bills, John Murphy, who introduced a panel including Head Athletic Trainer Bud Carpenter, as well as Dr. Jennifer McVige of DENT Neurologic Institute on how to properly prevent, diagnose and treat concussions. To emphasize the importance of Heads Up Football and give personal testimony on the panel, Helen Marrone, wife of coach Marrone; Amy Brandon, wife of Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon; Danielle Jackson, wife of Bills running back Fred Jackson; and Kimberly Wheatley, wife of Bills running backs Coach Tyrone Wheatley were on-hand to visit with moms and discuss player safety.
After the classroom portion of the clinic, the moms hit the field to learn the proper Heads Up Football tackling technique, as well as proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting from USA Football Master Trainers Ken Stoldt and Rob Currin. After the clinic, moms watched the Bills training camp practice from the VIP Hospitality Tent and were visited by a number of Bills players, including quarterback EJ Manuel and wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
"The Buffalo Bills are extremely committed to the Heads Up Football initiative and helping the next generation of football players remain healthy and safe," said Mary Owen, Buffalo Bills Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and NFL Foundation board member. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the moms of our local youth players to ensure that players and parents alike practice proper safety habits."
49ERS AND CHEVRON INVEST $4 MILLON IN NEW STEM LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The San Francisco 49ers Foundation and Chevron recently partnered to unveil a new, state-of-the-art classroom as part of a $4 million investment in their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education program. The 49ers STEM Institute was built to assist high-potential students with limited means and opportunities.
With 49ers Ownership, executives, alumni and current players; the Santa Clara Mayor and City Council, Santa Clara Unified School District School Board, Chevron executives and other local leaders and investors in STEM education participating, following the official ribbon cutting, the students and guests collaborated to build catapults to launch marshmallows. The purpose was to gain an understanding of the science behind kicking field goals. Leading the efforts were Denise, John, Jed, Jenna and Mara York of the 49ers Ownership family, team president Paraag Marathe and former 49ers kicker Joe Nedney and current punter Colton Schmidt, who were joined by teammates fullback Bruce Miller, nose tackle Ian Williams, and defensive lineman Lawrence Okoye and 49ers alumni Dwight Clark, Jesse Sapolu, Guy McIntyre, Dennis Brown, and Keena Turner.
"On and off the field, talent alone will not lead to success," said York. "The game changer for promising future leaders is to provide a stimulating environment where their natural talent and drive will be fed by motivating mentors, meaningful activities, and academic enrichment. The 49ers STEM Leadership Institute's vision is to be a leader in STEM education, preparing and inspiring talented learners to meet the challenges of the global society through innovation, collaboration, and creative problem solving."
NFL PHYSICIANS SOCIETY MEMBERS NAMED RECIPIENTS OF THE 2014 O'DONOGHUE SPORTS INJURY RESEARCH AWARD
Several members of the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) were awarded the 2014 O'Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in July. The prestigious award is given annually to the best overall paper that deals with clinical based research or human in-vivo research. This year's winning research, led by St. Louis Rams team physician, DR. RICK W. WRIGHT, was titled: "Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Graft Choice Impact on Outcome in the Multi-Center ACL Revision (MARS) Cohort."
The study analyzed the impact of using a patient's own autograft tissue versus a cadaver graft for ACL replacement and demonstrated better patient reported outcomes and a decreased re-tear rate if a patient's own tissue was utilized.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Washington University in St. Louis, MO was the coordinating center. The study included a research group of 83 surgeons at 52 sites that enrolled 1,205 revision ACL patients. Seven NFLPS members of the research group included: Dr. Matthew J. Matava, President of the NFLPS and Head Team Physician for the St. Louis Rams; Dr. Christopher C. Annunziata, Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Washington Redskins; Dr. Robert H. Brophy, Orthopaedic Surgeon for the St. Louis Rams; Dr. Daniel E. Cooper, Head Team Physician for the Dallas Cowboys; Dr. Thomas E. Klootwyk, Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Indianapolis Colts and Dr. Arthur C. Rettig, Head Team Physician for the Indianapolis Colts.
To read the abstract for the paper, click here.
NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION SCREENINGS
On Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd, the NFL Player Care Foundation, along with the Cleveland Clinic and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, will conduct its Healthy Body and Mind Screening program. This national screening program is open to all former NFL players and includes a series of free and confidential cardiovascular and prostate screenings and mental health resources and education. The screening will take place at the McKinley Grand Hotel in Canton, OH from 8:00am -- 4:00pm. The screening is closed to the public.
For media interested in speaking with participating players, please contact Dana Lihan at Dana.Lihan@NFL.com. For media interested in speaking to Dr. Dermot Phelan of the Cleveland Clinic, the program's spokesperson, please contact Sarah Brawner at (216) 448-0120.
In December 2013, the NFL Player Care Foundation partnered with Cleveland Clinic and have hosted six Healthy Body and Mind screening events in New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Chicago, servicing 343 former NFL players. Since the program's October 2008 inception, 2,040 former NFL players have been screened.
-- NFL Communications
