The Buffalo Bills and USA Football hosted the mothers of 65 local youth football players Saturday, July 26th at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY for a Moms Football Safety Clinic, where representatives from the Bills and USA Football discussed the proper Heads Up Football safety techniques being stressed at all levels of youth football. The clinic was the first of its kind to be hosted at an NFL training camp.
USA Football Master Trainers Ken Stoldt and Rob Currin welcomed the women at the Wegmans School of Nursing and began the classroom portion of the clinic, which included information on proper Heads Up Football tackling techniques, equipment fitting, heat and hydration, and concussion awareness and prevention. After an introduction from Head Coach Doug Marron, Moms heard from the Voice of the Bills, John Murphy, who introcuded a panel including Buffalo Bills Head Certified Athletic Trainer Bud Carpenter, as well as Dr. Jennifer McVige of DENT Neurologic Institute on how to properly prevent, diagnose and treat concussions. To help emphasize the importance of the Heads Up Football initiative and give personal testimony on the panel, Helen Marrone, wife of Coach Marrone; Amy Brandon, wife of Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon; Danielle Jackson, wife of Bills RB Fred Jackson; and Kimberly Wheatley, wife of Bills RBs Coach Tyrone Wheatley were on-hand to visit with moms and discuss player safety.
USA Football and the Buffalo Bills hosted 65 moms of local youth football players for the NFLâs first-ever Training Camp Moms Football Safety Clinic.
After the classroom portion of the clinic, the moms hit the field to learn the proper Heads Up Football tackling technique from our USA Football Master Trainers as well as a helmet and shoulder pad fitting tutorial. They were then presented with an Alex and Ani Buffalo Bills Bangle bracelet as a thank you for their participation and watched Bills training camp practice from the VIP Hospitality Tent where they received a visit from a number of Bills players including QB EJ Manuel and WR Sammy Watkins.
"The Buffalo Bills are extremely committed to the Heads Up Football initiative and helping the next generation of football players remain healthy and safe," said Mary Owen, Buffalo Bills Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and NFL Foundation board member. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the moms of our local youth players to ensure that players and parents alike practice proper safety habits."
In March of this year, the NFL Foundation approved a $45 million grant to USA Football to support the growth of youth football nationwide. As part of that grant, Heads Up Football has become a major focus at all levels of youth football.
