As part of a joint commitment to player safety, a group of sports entities and equipment manufacturers has entered into an unprecedented partnership to create a youth football safety and helmet replacement program for youth in underserved communities.  The initiative will remove helmets that are 10 years old or older and replace them with new helmets at no cost to the beneficiary leagues and will provide coaches with the latest educational information to help keep their young athletes safer and healthier.   

In its first year, the program is being piloted in four markets: the California Bay Area, Gulf Coast region, Northern Ohio, and the tri-state region around New York City.  The NFL, NFLPA, NCAA and NOCSAE have committed a combined total of approximately $1 million to the program in its first year. The pilot program is designed to provide valuable information on the state of youth football helmets, including the number of helmets 10 years old or older in use.  As of 2012, NAERA members will no longer recondition or recertify any helmet that is 10 years of age or older.  NOCSAE will collect the helmets when removed and use them for ongoing research programs.

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL and NFLPA, will lead the execution of the program. Other partners in the initiative are the NFL, NFL Players Association, CDC, NAERA, NCAA, NOCSAE and the SGMA.  Equipment manufacturers Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith are providing discounted helmets.  To learn more or apply for helmets, visit www.usafootball.com/playersafety

The effort, initiated by CPSC Chairman INEZ TENENBAUM, is expected to educate thousands of youth football coaches on vital health and safety issues and provide nearly 13,000 new helmets to youth football players in low-income communities in 2012.  Helmets will be distributed beginning in July.

“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.”

“The time has come to accelerate the culture change needed to improve the health and safety of youth football players,” said CPSC Chairman Tenenbaum.  “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.  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.  I want to thank everyone involved in this initiative for joining together in a common commitment to youth player safety.”

Helmets do not prevent concussions. Therefore, the program includes a strong educational campaign that features important safety information from the CDC, the CPSC and USA Football, including materials on concussion awareness, proper helmet fitting, and fundamentally sound football instruction with USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact module.  In addition, leagues that receive helmets through this program will be required to have their coaches complete USA Football’s Level 1 coaching course.  Elements of the education component are as follows:

• “Start with Safety”: Concussion awareness and response information, featuring links to CDC content and resources
• “Perfect Fitting”:  Helmet fitting information, including links to manufacturer-specific fitting resources
• “Tackle Safety”: USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact information and videos
• “Helmet Condition”: Reconditioning and replacement information

Contact:

Clare Graff, NFL/212-450-2435

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*Reference to any commercial entity or product or service on this page should not be construed as an endorsement by the Government of the company or its products or services.

Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah, who spent a combined eight seasons with three NFL clubs, has joined the NFL Media team, it was announced today.

Jeremiah will be a regular contributor on NFL.com (NFL.com/DanielJeremiah) and NFL Mobile, offering an Xs-and-Os look at players, teams and trends, and will play a key role in the site’s NFL Draft coverage. In addition, he will offer analysis on NFL Network. Jeremiah enjoys a wide Twitter following (@MoveTheSticks) among NFL media members.

In his first NFL.com column (http://tinyurl.com/78qr7kn), Jeremiah ranks starting quarterbacks by division – noting a shift over the past five years. “Things have definitely changed since 2007,” he writes. “The balance of power at the QB position has clearly switched to the NFC.”

Jeremiah joins NFL Media after serving for two years as the Philadelphia Eagles’ college area scout for the West.  Previously, he was a national scout for the Cleveland Browns and a west coast area scout for the Baltimore Ravens.

Prior to working in the NFL, Jeremiah was a production assistant for ESPN’s Sunday Night Football telecasts.

Jeremiah graduated in 2000 from Appalachian State, where he started at quarterback for three seasons.  He resides in Murrieta, Calif., with his wife and four children.

NFL Media properties include NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL RedZone, NFL.com, and NFL Mobile Only From Verizon.

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Clubs are permitted to hold a rookie minicamp on one of the first two weekends after the NFL Draft and conduct one mandatory minicamp for veteran players.  Clubs with new head coaches, however, are permitted to conduct one additional voluntary minicamp for veteran players.  There is no restriction on the number of minicamps a club may hold for rookie players.

For the complete release, click here

For the complete release, click here

More than 40,000 high school football players will focus on character development, life skills and on-field techniques from May-August as part of the NFL High School Player Development (HSPD) program which is presented by the National Guard through the NFL Youth Football Fund.

Since its inception in 2001, the HSPD program has provided participants with a curriculum that focuses on inspiring excellence in the classroom, community, and on the playing field.  The program, which is funded by the National Guard through the NFL Youth Football Fund, is free for students and will be implemented at more than 200 sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico this spring and summer.

The character development and life skills portion of the week often features guest speakers and discussions on life after high school.  Students also will take part in a Center for Disease Control (CDC) session about player safety, including concussion treatment and management.

For the complete release, click here

NFL MEDIA WINS TWO SPORTS EMMY AWARDS 

Commissioner ROGER GOODELL accepted on behalf of the NFL and its television partners the “Chairman’s Award” presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at last night’s Sports Emmy ceremony in New York. The NFL is the first sports organization to win this prestigious award.

The league and its TV partners were honored for “working together to remember the heroes of September 11 and mark the 10th Anniversary of that day with dignity and honor.”

NFL Media also won a pair of Sports Emmy awards last night with NFL Network and NFL Films earning honors for Men of Mettle from Ed Sabol’s Last Football Movie (Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics), and Sound FX: All Access (Outstanding Post Produced Audio). NFL Films, the most-honored filmmaker in sports, increased its total to 107 Sports Emmys. NFL Network has won 10 Sports Emmys in its eight-year history. 

The Chairman’s Award-winning September 11 remembrance featured special tributes originating from the three locations most affected by the terrorist attacks: Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA, The Pentagon in Arlington, VA, and Ground Zero at the 9/11 Memorial in New York. 

All games in each of the broadcast windows featured an NFL Films-produced introduction narrated by Academy Award-winner ROBERT DeNIRO and followed by performances of “Taps” by representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces from or near the sites of the attacks. The ceremonies were complimented by live shots of players and coaches from each of the 13 stadiums, followed by moments of silence and the playing of the National Anthem with American flags covering the entire field at each stadium.

The project was overseen and produced for the league by NFL vice president of production & operations Glenn Adamo. The theme for the presentation of “Taps” was developed by Scott Katz, who brought the concept to the league office and served as the lead director. NFL Films director of remote operations Dave Shaw led the operations and logistics for the project.

Previous recipients of the Chairman’s Award, which recognizes organizations and individuals for “excellence in broadcasting and outstanding public service to the greater community,” include the McNeil/Lehrer News Hour, CNN, and 60 Minutes.

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NFL Network set records for ratings and viewership on all three days of the 2012 NFL Draft and posted a record three-day average of 757,000 viewers – up 34 percent from 2011, according to The Nielsen Company.

The network kicked off with a record 1.44 million viewers for its coverage of Thursday night’s first round – up 38 percent from last year. NFL Network viewership was up 46 percent on Day 2 and 31 percent on Day 3.

The NFL’s digital media platforms — including NFL.com, NFL Mobile Only From Verizon and other NFL mobile products — set a record with its three-day draft coverage as unique visitors jumped 46 percent compared to last year (and 56 percent increase over 2010).

First-round coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft drew a combined total viewership of 25.3 million viewers on ESPN and NFL Network, according to The Nielsen Company.

The networks posted a record combined average rating of 5.28 – an 18 percent increase over last year’s first round (4.46 average rating).

The combined two-network average of 8.1 million viewers is up 16 percent from last year (7.0 million) and ranks as the second-most-watched first round ever (8.3 million in 2010).

NFL Network’s first-round coverage drew a record average of 1.4 million viewers – a 40 percent jump over last year’s previous record (1.0 million viewers).

The NFL’s digital media platforms — including NFL.com, NFL Mobile Only From Verizon and other NFL mobile products — set a record with its first-round draft coverage as unique visitors jumped 53 percent compared to last year (and 41 percent increase over 2010).

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‘The Top 100: Players of 2012 – Reactions’ Follows Each Episode at 9:00 PM ET, Featuring Commentary from NFL Network Analysts, NFL Players & Fans

Weekly Series Counts Down Top Players in Today’s Game as Voted on by Current NFL Players — Airs Every Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET Following April 28 Debut

39 New Players Crack the 2012 List

The votes are in and the players have spoken: at least one of these two quarterbacks – TIM TEBOW of the New York Jets and TONY ROMO of the Dallas Cowboys – is ranked among players No. 91-100 as voted by their fellow players in Saturday’s debut episode of The Top 100: Players of 2012 Presented by Buffalo Wild Wings debuting at 8:00 PM ET immediately following NFL Network’s live coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft.

For the second year, current NFL players have weighed in to determine the top players in today’s game on the new season of the returning series. After Saturday’s season debut, the NFL Films-produced series continues at its regular time on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET, beginning May 2.

Also in the debut episode:

• A trio of 1,000-yard tailbacks
• A three-time Pro Bowl lineman
• A Green Bay Packers offensive player

Immediately following each episode LIVE at 9:00 PM ET will be The Top 100: Players of 2012 – Reactions Presented by Buffalo Wild Wings. Host Lindsay Rhodes and a rotating roster of NFL Network analysts and current NFL players discuss and debate the latest group of players to be unveiled from NFL Network’s Los Angeles studios. Fans have the opportunity to join in the debate and voice their own opinions and reactions on Facebook and Twitter, and vote for their own Top 100 on NFL.com/Top100.

The 11-part series which counts down from 100 to 1, unveiling 10 players in each one-hour episode. The season-finale unveiling the top 10 is split into two special one-hour episodes on Wednesday, June 27 at 8:00 PM & 9:00 PM ET.

A wide range of current NFL players present each selection and discuss the qualities which makes each player deserving of his ranking.

In the new Huddle page on NFL.com, fans can discuss The Top 100 list and voice their opinions on whether or not NFL players got it right. Huddle, a Top 100-specifc social media content page, allows viewers to share Top 100 content, and communicate across social media platforms. Additionally, fans can discuss and debate the players revealed during each episode using the hashtag #NFLTop100.

On NFL.com, viewers can vote on each player ranking and whether it should be higher or lower. Voting results from viewers will be revealed starting halfway through the list on Wednesday, May 30. Viewers can also pose questions for NFL Network analysts and player guests by tweeting their questions to @nflnetwork. An on-air social media crawl will display selected questions and the analysts will answer questions in every episode.

Provided below are some facts regarding The Top 100: Players of 2012 list:

• For the first time, all 32 teams are represented with at least one player on the list. Seattle and Buffalo players were not represented in 2011.
• The Top 100: Players of 2012 features 39 new players
• 24 players with a combined 31 Super Bowl rings.
• For the second consecutive year, the University of Miami, Fla. is the most-represented university (9 players).

For the complete press release and show schedule, click here.

 April 25, 2012

 On the status of the Saints bounty-rule matter:

 We are in the final stages of working on the discipline that will involve the players.  We hope to be doing that very soon and get that behind us.

 On if player discipline resulting from the Saints bounty-rule violation will be announced before the 2012 NFL Draft:

 I don’t anticipate it.  We want to complete the work we started.  We want to make sure we are thorough and fair.  With all that we have to do with the draft for the next couple days, it is not likely that we would get it done in advance.

On if the player discipline announcement would come during or after the 2012 NFL Draft: 

Once we are done, we will issue it.  As I said, we are going to probably be distracted here with the draft for the next couple of days.  I don’t know how much time I will be able to spend on it.  We have others working on it full time.  I will meet with them over the next several days.  If we are done, we will get it out.  

On monitoring other teams for bounty-rule or non-contract pay-for-performance bonuses: 

When we issued the initial findings and the discipline, we asked each club to certify that they are not involved in any kind of pay-for-performance program or bounty program and to certify that it will not be going forward.  The focus has not just been on the Saints.  We obviously got the information on the Saints.  We followed it and we have been following up with other teams.  

On reports regarding Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and tapped lines:

 It has been given to the federal authorities.  They are doing their work.  We will wait and see if there is any credible information that comes from that.  At that point in time, we will take whatever steps are necessary if necessary. 

More on the timing of the player discipline from the Saints bounty-rule investigation: 

We are still doing some additional work.  We are in a position where we should be able to wrap that up soon.  As soon as we do, we will issue our decision. 

On introducing the future draft selections who are in New York City to the NFL: 

I met with all of the 26 players who were here.  I met with them in three separate groups this morning.  It was an open discussion.  They asked some questions.  I had some things that I shared with them.  It was more about how to enjoy the next couple of days.  This is a dream of theirs.  They are now realizing that after years of work, but once you get through this, the hard work begins.  Several of them asked for advice on how to do things right going forward and what services are available.  We talked about that.

On mentioning the bounty-rule investigation to the future draft selections: 

I was much broader.  We weren’t specific to anything.  In my office, I have an NFL shield up.  I pointed to it and said, ‘Everything we do has to reflect well on the integrity of the league and that shield.  Everything that you do, everything that I do and everything that our clubs’ coaches do has to reflect well on that.  It is our responsibility to improve the integrity of the league and make the league better than when you came into the league.’  I think they all understand that and respect it.  They are great young men. 

On the Draft evolving into a three-day primetime event:  

When I first came into the league, it was one of my responsibilities as a young intern to actually start working on the media information for all of the draft eligible players.  I have always loved the Draft.  It is a very important and fundamental aspect of the league in competitive balance.  I always found that it was intriguing to see how people approached the draft. 

I believe what we have been able to do over the years is get people to understand how important it is to building a successful organization; how they evaluate individuals and the difficulty of doing that and the strategies involved in trying to do that; and share that with our fans.  That is why we have 50 million-plus people watching the Draft now.  It is like the ultimate reality show.  People want to see these individuals who have worked so hard to get to that day walk across the stage, be drafted and start their careers and watch them and follow them.  It is part of what we have tried to create in the offseason – a year-round interest in the game and the people who play it.

 On potentially hosting the NFL Draft in other cities:

 We discussed it.  Our biggest changes in the last few years was reducing the time in many of the rounds and moving it to primetime.  Those had a great impact.  We have discussed the idea of if you would move one of the rounds, one of the evenings or one of the days to another site because there is a lot of interest in doing this in other markets.  We are still not there yet.  We are still debating that.

 On if the NFL has conducted all of its interviews pertaining to the Saints bounty-rule violation: 

No, we are still doing some work.  We are still talking to people.