NFL, NFLPA, NCAA Announce Youth Football Initiative

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By The Sports Xchange

POSTED: 10:01 am PDT May 15, 2012

More than 13,000 new helmets will be distributed to youth football programs in four markets as the pilot program in a player safety initiative launched by the NFL and several partners.The NCAA and NFL Players' Association are vital in the joint commitment to educate thousands of youth football coaches and remove helmets that are 10 years or older at no cost to the program or league."We are pleased to be part of this initiative, which will give children in underserved communities access to new helmets, and to reach coaches and parents with educational information to help protect young athletes from head injuries," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "This program is part of our focus on player safety at all levels of the game. We are proud to join with these well-respected organizations to make the Helmet Replacement Program a reality."Introduced by U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission chariman Inez Tenenbaum, distribution and education to communities in the California Bay area, Northern Ohio, Gulf Coast and New York City tri-state region will begin in July.Any coach in those regions will be required to complete USA Football's Level 1 coaching course, which details tackling safety, concussion awareness, fitting of helmets and evaluating equipment for replacement or reconditioning. One of the key topics is educated coaches that helmets do not prevent concussions."Even with our push for improved safety equipment, it is vital that parents, coaches and players understand that there is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet," Tenenbaum said. "The best answer is safer and smarter play, which is why this game-changing program is aimed at reducing hits to the head and trauma to the brain."

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