Former NFL Players Support ‘Heads Up Football’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based USA Football has added more well-known allies to its safety training program. More than 140 former National Football League players will serve as “Heads Up Football” trainers or ambassadors. You can view a full list of Heads Up Football Master Trainers and Ambassadors with NFL playing experience by clicking here.
July 30, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – More than 140 former NFL players will serve as Master Trainers and Ambassadors to teach and reinforce USA Football's Heads Up Football program to youth leagues and high schools nationwide during the 2014 season. Approximately 5,500 youth football leagues representing nearly 1 million players in addition to more than 750 high schools
have registered for Heads Up Football for better and safer play this season.
The program has been endorsed by leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics. Of USA Football’s 78 Master Trainers, 17 played in the NFL, bringing knowledge and insight gained from competing at the sport’s highest level. Master Trainers lead full-day instructional sessions for high school and youth programs nationwide, teaching Heads Up Football's curriculum to high school – and youth league – appointed Player Safety Coaches.
In addition, 127 former NFL players will serve as Heads Up Football Ambassadors, visiting practices and games of teams that participate within the program. Ambassadors strengthen awareness and reinforce Heads Up Football’s messages and standards.
“USA Football establishes important standards rooted in education, which is so important for young players,” said Master Trainer RUBEN BROWN, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection at guard for the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears (1995-2007). “I’m a father–nothing is more important to me than the health of our kids. Heads Up Football is changing for the better how coaches are prepared, players are taught and safety is addressed, and it’s exciting to see so many other former players share this commitment.”
Heads Up Football encompasses USA Football’s accredited Level 1 Coach Certification Course, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concussion recognition and response, medical expert-approved heat and hydration protocols, equipment fitting instruction and Heads Up Tackling techniques for safer play.
Some of the medical and sport backers of USA Football’s Heads Up Football program include:
-Amateur Athletic Union
-Md. Public Secondary Schools Ath. Assoc.
-Nat’l Interscholastic Athletic Admin. Assoc.
-American College of Sports Medicine
-Maxwell Football Club
-National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
-American Football Coaches Association
-Michigan H.S. Football Coaches Assoc.
-National Police Athletic League
-American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
-Minnesota Football Coaches Assoc.
-North Carolina Coaches Association
-Arizona Coaches Association
-National Association of Sports Officials
-Northern Va. Football Coaches Assoc.
-Atlantic Coast Conference
-National Athletic Trainers Association
-Pac-12 Conference
-Big 12 Conference
-NATA Research & Ed. Foundation
-Pop Warner Little Scholars
-Big Ten Conference
-National Fed. of State High School Assoc.
-Pro Football Athletic Trainers Society
-Boys and Girls Clubs of America
-National Football League
-Sport Safety International
-Indiana Football Coaches Association
-NFL Alumni Association
-Sports & Fitness Industry Association
-Korey Stringer Institute at the U. of Conn.
-NFL Head, Neck & Spine Committee
-United Youth Football League
About USA Football
Indianapolis-based USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is the sport’s national governing body, leading the game’s development for youth, high school and other amateur players. The independent nonprofit partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and sport to establish important standards rooted in education. USA Football advances coaching education and player skill development for safer play and a positive football experience.
Source: USA Football