NFL, USA Network expand program to stop bullying, discrimination

Friday's health and safety news from the world of football:

• The NFL announced with the USA Network that it will expand its "NFL Characters Unite" program to oppose bullying, prejudice and discrimination. The partnership will include a weekly on-air vignette and webisode series on charactersunite.com launching on Dec. 2.

• Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill told Arizona Sports that the NFL's new personal conduct policy could spark cultural change.

• NPR discussed a studies about character concerns vs. performance in the NFL.

• American Aljazeera reported that college football's reported concussions dropped by 25 percent during this past regular season among FBS schools.

• The Patriot League announced that its Council of Presidents meeting focused on the health and wellness of student-athletes.

• A Huffington Post Live panel discussed how young is too young to play tackle football.

• The Catholic Globe in Sioux City, Iowa, reportedon Heelan High School, which was one of 10 schools around the country to receive free ShockBox concussion sensors this season.

-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor