Wednesday's Heads Up Football news:
- The controversial reality series "Friday Night Tykes" was renewed Tuesday, the Esquire Network announced.
The documentary series was based on the events surrounding the Texas Youth Football Association's teams in San Antonio. The series drew outrage from proponents of Heads Up Football, showing coaches berating players and displaying improper care for injuries.
USA Football spokesman Steve Alic said Wednesday that some of the TYFA members have joined the Heads Up Football program.
"In commitment to their young players, a number of the Texas Youth Football Association's 100-plus clubs -- although not all -- have already registered for USA Football's Heads Up Football program for 2014," Alic said in a statement. "Last season, more than 25 percent of all U.S. youth leagues registered for the program, which has earned numerous endorsements from leaders in medicine, child advocacy and sport. Heads Up Football registration is now underway and will continue into the summer months.
"Heads Up Football is establishing standards rooted in education to change behavior for the better and we're hopeful that more youth leagues and high schools will join us."
The network called the series "critically-lauded" and "thought-provoking" in its announcement.
- WISH-TV in Indianapolis reported on the Master Trainer training for the Heads Up Football program held by USA Football.
- Inside Indiana Business published a video interview with USA Football executive director Scott Hallenbeck in light of the recent success of the Heads Up Football program.
-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor
