Camps Receiving NFL YFF Grants Required to Participate in USA Football Safety Initiative, Focusing on Concussion and Hydration Awareness
The NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF) has awarded $600,000 to 150 NFL players and coaches to support their free youth football camps, it was announced Wednesday.
The camps, run by former and current NFL players and coaches, will reach more than 40,000 young football players this summer. Players and coaches hosting free camps throughout the summer include Herm Edwards, Ron Jaworski, George Martin, Matt Ryan and Saints coach Sean Payton.
"We are pleased to help our players and coaches give back during the offseason," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who serves on the NFL Youth Football Fund board of directors. "These camps are an excellent way to help young fans learn skills and stay active and fit."
The NFL has long supported players' philanthropic endeavors, and the NFL Youth Football Fund has awarded more than $2.5 million in player and coach camp grants in recent years.
For the first time, the YFF is working with USA Football to offer coaches affiliated with the 2010 NFL Player & Coaches Football Camp Grant programs a free, online health and safety resource. The USA Football Coach Smart youth health and safety awareness initiative provides coaches with information regarding concussion awareness and management as well as heat and hydration preparedness. Created specifically for the YFF's Camp Grant program by USA Football, this online resource features health and safety elements adapted from USA Football's coaching certification courses. Before their camp begins, coaches are required to watch two informational videos and answer questions that are designed to test their knowledge on these important topics.
Established in 1998 by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, the NFL Youth Football Fund seeks to use football as a catalyst to promote positive youth development, support youth and high school football needs nationwide and also ensure the health of grassroots football in future generations. Through the YFF's youth football initiatives and support programs, youngsters are provided with opportunities to learn the game of football, get physically fit and stay involved in productive after-school activities with adult mentors.
