NFL UPDATE -- JULY 16, 2014
MINNESOTA VIKINGS HOST MOMS CLINIC
The Vikings recently hosted their first ever Moms Football Safety Clinic. The free clinic included education on proper equipment fitting; concussion awareness; heat and hydration, Heads Up football tackling drills and a panel discussion with Defensive Line Coach Andre Patterson and wife Donna and Pro Scout Jeff Robinson and his wife Cassandra. Both the Pattersons and Robinsons have children who play youth football. The moms also heard from medical professionals and representatives from USA Football Regional Manager. The event concluded with a lively Q & A session with former Vikings Rickey Young and Tyrone Carter.
BEARS, CHIEFS, RAIDERS HOST USA FOOTBALL PLAYER SAFETY COACH CLINICS
The Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders each recently hosted free USA Football Heads Up Player Safety Coach Training sessions at their respective team facilities. The events, organized by USA Football, were attended by hundreds of area coaches. The clinics featured concussion awareness, hydration, helmet and shoulder pad fitting, Heads Up Tackling classroom training and on-field Heads Up Tackling drills.
At the Chiefs event, former player and Heads Up Football Ambassador Shawn Barber spoke with the local coaches about the importance of implementing the program.
After workshop completion, Player Safety Coaches will oversee their leagues' implementation of Heads Up Football and will monitor practices and games throughout the season.
CHICAGO BEARS HOST YOUTH FOOTBALL, HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
Earlier this summer, the Bears hosted the NFL High School Player Development Leadership Forum at Halas Hall with local high school football student-athletes. Former Bears player Chris Draft and Bears Director of Player Engagement Terry Cousin both spoke with the student-athletes. The program aims to develop both life skills and football skills for participants.
Following the Leadership Forum, the Bears recently hosted the NFL High School Player Development 7-on-7 Regional Tournament at the Walter Payton Center, their indoor practice facility. More than 100 high school football student-athletes participated from six different area schools. Participants also spent time with former Bears wide receiver, Rashied Davis at the event. Davis spoke about staying focused on their goals and overcoming obstacles in life. Proviso West won the regional tournament and are competing at the national tournament this week in Indianapolis.
The Bears also hosted a recent high school football coaches clinic at Halas Hall. Nearly 90 high school coaches representing 31 different schools in the Chicagoland area attended the clinic. The clinic was highlighted by a leadership talk from coach Marc Trestman, breakout sessions with six different Bears position coaches and a Heads Up Football overview.
-- NFL Communications