NFL HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE -- APRIL 9, 2014
RICHARDSON WRITES TO HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CAROLINAS ON HEADS UP FOOTBALL
Panthers owner Jerry Richardson wrote a letter to high school coaches and administrators in North and South Carolina this week in support of USA Football's Heads Up Football program. In the letter, Richardson describes Heads Up as "an important program making a positive difference in how high school football coaches are trained, fundamentals are taught and player safety is addressed."
More than 2,800 youth leagues across the country have adopted Heads Up Football. USA Football piloted Heads Up Football in 35 high schools in 10 states in 2013, with the goal of expanding the program at the high school level for the 2014 season.
Spring is Heads Up Football sign up season. Learn more at www.usafootball.com/headsup.
CARDINALS HOST PRIVATE SCREENING OF DRAFT DAY MOVIE FOR SEASON TICKET MEMBERS
The Arizona Cardinals hosted a private screening on the upcoming movie Draft Day on April 1 for a group of season ticket members.
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill along with players, cheerleaders and team mascot Big Red welcomed guests as they arrived at the theater and, as a part of the event, season ticket members participated in a Q&A session with Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, running backs coach Stump Mitchell and pro scout Josh Scobey, all of whom also enjoyed NFL playing careers.
Draft Day, which opens in theaters on April 11, stars Kevin Costner as general manager Sonny Weaver, who has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must quickly decide what he's willing to sacrifice in pursuit of perfection as the lines between his personal and professional life become blurred on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with dreams of playing in the NFL.
The movie is directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Rajiv Joseph & Scott Rothman. Jennifer Garner and Denis Leary also star.
NIAAA ENDORSES HEADS UP FOOTBALL
The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) officially endorsed USA Football's Heads Up Football program in the last week.
The NIAAA represents more than 25,000 athletic administrators in high schools and middle schools across the country. Its goal is to enhance and promote the educational values of interscholastic athletics through the professional development of its members in areas of education, leadership and service.
"We are pleased to support and are excited about the efforts by USA Football to make the game safer for participants at all levels of the sport," said NIAAA Associated Executive Director Dr. Mike Blackburn. "Education is a vital component for any initiative. The NIAAA joins its efforts with USA Football's Heads Up Football program and endorses training in the areas of fundamental tackling technique, concussion awareness, heat and hydration safety measures and proper equipment fitting."
To learn more, click here.
