NFLPA News

NFL Players Support Their Communities with Free Youth Football Camps

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 18:30:00 GMT

Don Carey

Kelvin Beachum

Although NFL players have much to prepare for as the coming season approaches, many players chose to spend their “down” time giving back to their respective communities with football camps. This lengthy list is a tribute to the many players who use their skill and their platform as professional athletes to help others.

Kelvin Beachum Hosts 4th Annual Football Camp

KWTX, May 6, 2017

Former Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty met one of his newest New York Jets teammates about three weeks ago, but knew immediately that helping out at Kelvin Beachum's Community Football Camp was something he wanted to do. Petty joined numerous other NFL players at the camp in Mexia, including Chris Carter (Washington), Robert Golden (Pittsburgh), Steve McLendon (NY Jets), Yannick Ngakoue (Jacksonville), Patrick Omameh (Jacksonville), Jermey Parnell (Jacksonville), Aldrick Robinson (San Francisco), free agents Josh LeRibeus and Will Johnson, and the CFL Ottawa Redblacks' Taylor Reed. "I'm a kid, I'm 27 so it's not like I'm old," Beachum said. "I still ask for autographs from time to time. It's a great honor for us athletes to have this kind of platform, to be able to show it to young people and use it the right way." Players ranging from the youth leagues into high school not only learned the game of football for free from current pros, but were also given free food, shirts and enjoyed music from DJ Dex. It's the fourth-straight year that Beachum organized the event, and plans on coming back to do it again next year.

Thomas Davis Continues to Fulfill Dreams of Kids While Chasing His

ESPN, David Newton, May 9, 2017

The bank of the hill overlooking Revolution Park was lined with kids wearing white T-shirts with No. 58 on the back. Seven rows deep and more than 15 rows wide of No. 58 everywhere you looked on Saturday. The man of the hour was outside linebacker Thomas Davis, better known as TD. He was hosting more than 700 kids for a free football camp on a wet and cool morning as part of a big weekend for his Defending Dreams Foundation. Davis never attended a youth football camp until he was being recruited by the University of Georgia during his junior year of high school. That's one of the many reasons he was excited on this rainy Saturday. This weekend was an opportunity to raise money for yearlong events that make sure kids have opportunities he didn't. "We didn't have this kind of stuff down there where I'm from, " Davis said. "They don't have people putting on camps...former players. We didn't have a guy that made it to the NFL from my hometown." Not until 2005, when the Panthers made Davis the No. 14 overall pick out of Georgia. Since then, Davis has been on a mission, on and off the field. The mission off the field is to bring smiles and hope to kids such as the ones at his camp. "I'm always excited about everybody out here rocking the 58," Davis said with a smile bigger than those worn by the kids. "They know what it means to me, and it means a lot to them to come back and help these kids."

Darqueze Dennard Hosts 3rd Annual Football Camp in Jeffersonville

WMAZ, David Newton, May 6, 2017

The Cincinnati Bengal cornerback, Darqueze Dennard made his return to Jeffersonville over the weekend to hos his third annual football camp. About 250 kids attended the clinic at Twiggs County High School where they were able to learn the basic football fundamentals from Dennard and other NFL players. Some of the drills focused on running, spped, passing routes, blocking and much more. Dennard said he will always remember his roots and continue to give back to his community to help the younger kids who want to play football. " You know a lot of people don't make it out from here, it's a very small town and to make it out and to be in the national spotlight and be able to come back and just see it everybody I grew up with who know me, or are associated with me...It's a really good feeling you know it just shows the younger generation and the younger kids that anything is possible no matter where you're from," Dennard said.

More Than 400 Show for Football Camp Run by DJ Alexander

The Desert Sun, Andrew L. John, May 13, 2017

James Dockery and D.J. Alexander never had a chance to play with each other during their football careers that stretched from Palm Desert High School to Oregon State and the NFL, but the two close friends hope Saturday is the start of a regular partnership on the football field.That union began Saturday with the two co-hosting a joint combine style camp at Xavier College Preparatory, where Dockery, who played in the NFL from 2011 to 2015, is entering his first year as the Saints' head coach. With temperatures in the low-90s, more than 400 kids from around the Coachella Valley showed up form the seven-hour camp. Instructors took the kids through individual drills that focused on footwork, speed, skill and agility. They used cones, a rope ladder and other field props, and offered the kids a rare opportunity to be coached by current and former NFL players. Alexander, entering his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs, wore his red AFC Pro Bowl hat and a pair of black shades, and he and Dockery joked with kids, ran some of the drills with them, and pulled some aside for specific individual instruction. The event was free of charge, and funded through a number of local sponsors, who helped provide T-shirts representing the event, and snacks and drinks to keep the kids refreshed. Both Dockery and Alexander said they expect the event to grow over the years to provide opportunities for kids that they didn't have while they were growing up here.

NFL Running Back Isaiah Crowell Returns Home for Football Camp

Ledger-Inquirer, Jordan D. Hill, May 27, 2017

Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell's return to Columbus on Saturday showed there's still a lot of locals supporting their homegrown football star. Crowell was on hand at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium for his third annual youth football camp. The camp was a free opportunity for boys ages 8 to 13 to get on the field and go through football drills with guidance from several coaches. Kids wore their complimentary camp t-shirts, which featured Crowell's likeness on the front and his name an jersey number on the back. A few sported eye black which read "Feed the Crow," paying homage to the former Carver Tiger. Well wishers took photos with Crowell and chatted when he returned to the field he electrified so often in high school. . Crowell said free camps weren’t available when he was growing up in the city, which made being part of this special to the 24-year-old. “It’s good to come back,” Crowell said. “I want to give the kids something to experience. Really, I just wanted to come back and give the kids something fun and positive to participate in.” Crowell will get back to work for Cleveland soon enough but was busy taking in the moment Saturday. He walked around as the players warmed up, occasionally shaking hands with a few and making small talk with the sure-to-be starstruck children. Crowell didn’t take his appearance or the camp lightly, explaining the value it can provide. “It’s very important, just so everybody can come out here, play with each other and meet new people in fellowship,” Crowell said. “I feel like it’s important to give back to the community, also. You’ve got to give back to where you came from. I appreciate God for allowing me the opportunity to come back and do something like this. This is what it’s all about.”

Lions' Don Carey Touts Education Through Football in Free Camp

The Detroit News, Justin Rogers, June 3, 2017

Detroit — While the Detroit Lions are seeking consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in two decades, veteran safety Don Carey is well on his way to earning his own back-to-back honors. On Saturday, the team's reigning Water Payton Man of the Year nominee for his work in the community, hosted a unique camp for more than 200 local youths, ages 8-17, at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, two miles down the road from Ford Field. The camp, The camp, which divided its focus between STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) educational activities and football drills, was attended by nearly 20 of Carey’s teammates, including running back Zach Zenner, rookie cornerback Teez Tabor and defensive end Kerry Hyder. “I’m super excited to see guys willing to give up a Saturday with OTAs and the stress that puts on them learning the playbooks, they’ve taken the time to come inspire a young child,” Carey said. The festivities opened with breakfast, followed by a presentation with live music and guest speakers, including Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the youngest person and first black person to pilot a solo flight around the world. After the presentation, the youth split into two groups with the younger students hitting the field first, running through a number of drills with Lions players coaching at each station. “My heart is here in Detroit and I love inspiring the children,” Carey said. “I tell people all the time, besides God and my family, putting a smile on a child’s face is my joy.” And while football was the lure, Carey hoped the educational offerings would connect with the campers. He said it’s important to erase the stereotypes that math and science are for nerds and to show the students the opportunities a good education can provide later in life. “I want to tear down some of those mindsets and show them how cool those areas can be,” Carey said. “I want them to, number one, take something from the STEAM activities inside. Secondly, I would like them to talk to the players and get to know the men behind the facemasks.” The man behind Carey’s facemask is one dedicated to making a positive impact in the community, and on Saturday, he was rewarded with the smiles of those he’s so eager to serve.

Coty Sensabaugh Holds 5th Sensabaugh Camp Classic

WJHL, Kane O'Neill, June 3, 2017

KINGSPORT, TN- Kids laced up their football cleats and hit the field at J. Fred Johnson Stadium Saturday morning for the 5th annual Sensabaugh Camp Classic. The camp is headlined by former Dobyns-Bennett Indian, Coty Sensabaugh, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. His cousin, Gerald Sensabaugh, is also a big part of the camp. Gerald, a former Dallas Cowboy, is the new head football coach at David Crockett. The camp is for kids ages 6-17 trying to improve their skills on the field. It’s a fun day, not just for the kids, but for the Sensabaughs, who are eager to come and give back to a community that has meant so much to them. “It means everything,” said Coty Sensabaugh. “Just putting a smile on these kids faces and coming out here and putting a smile on my own face. It’s just something that we want to do for the community and we just enjoy giving back. It’s just a special atmosphere and I love doing it. I plan on continuing doing it.” “This brings a lot of kids together from everywhere in the Tri-Cities,” said Gerald Sensabaugh. “He does a great job and this is an awesome event. I encourage everybody to come out every year. It’s growing and he’s doing a great job.”

Broncos Safety TJ Ward Holds Annual Youth Camp

CBS4, June 11, 2017

Broncos safety T.J. Ward hosted his annual kids football camp Saturday morning at a middle school in Denver. Ward’s camp — T.J. Ward Legacy Football Camp — took place at DSST Green Valley Ranch Middle School and was free for boys and girls ages 9 to 14. Ward has been in Denver since 2014, and he says it’s cool to see kids that keep coming back to the camp each year. “I have a ball when I come out here and just interact with the kids — the youth, the future. And you see them grow up every year, it’s my fourth year now. To see kids four years older is astonishing,” Ward said. Ward’s camp is part of the T.J. Ward Foundation, which works to “enhance the lives of young people by supporting programs that provide the tools necessary to empower young men and women in underprivileged communities across the country.”

Giants WR, Harris, Hosts Sixth Annual Youth Football Camp

WNCT, Zach Maskavich, June 10, 2017

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – Former ECU star wide receiver and current New York Giant, Dwayne Harris returned to Greenville to host his sixth annual youth football camp for kids in the East. Roughly 200 boys and girls came out to Johnson Stadium (home of ECU women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse) to brush up on their football skills. The day started off with Harris coaching up the kids and instilling life lessons upon them. Then the kids broke off into groups to receive more coaching from others, including some current Pirate players. Harris says it’s important to give back to the community, especially to kids so that they learn the lesson of helping others. “It feels great, because you know, when I was here the community gave me so much love and the people supported me so much and when I can come back and give that back to the kids, to the youth and give back to the community, it’s always a great feeling,” said Harris. “Hopefully, when they get to the NFL and they get older and whatever the things that they are doing, I hope they always come back and give back to the community as well.”

LaRoy Reynolds Puts Campers in the Dawg House

WTKR, Mitch Brown, June 17, 2017

NORFOLK, Va. - Energy was as high as the temperature at Powhatan Field during Norfolk native and Atlanta Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds "Dawg House" youth football camp. It was his biggest play since recovering an onside kick in Super Bowl 51. "There's going to be a time where you have to realize the grand scheme of things is bigger than you," said Reynolds. After graduating from Maury high, Reynolds went on to star at the University of Virginia. Among Reynolds supports was fellow Maury alumnus and Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. "Most of the time when I was growing up, I didn't get to meet my superstars and shake their hands," said Chancellor. "Just coming out here, and being available for them to see success...I think that's the biggest part and seeing the smiles on their face." LaRoy's getting support from Norfolk to make his big picture, come into fruition. "For all the kids out here, just know they always got a big brother, they always got somebody they can look up to, or Kam...as much as we can do for this entire area, I'm just grateful we can do it."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive End Chris Baker Giving Back to Community Through Foundation

WTNH, Kels Dayton, June 16, 2017

(WTNH)–Former Windsor High School football star Chris Baker was back in Connecticut on Friday night. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end held a bowling event to kick off his fourth-annual football camp this weekend. The event took place at Revolutions in Windsor. Proceeds went to the Chris Baker 92 Foundation and the Womens’ Athletic Initiative. Guests got to meet Baker and had a chance to win prizes and gift cards. Baker says he’s passionate about helping his Windsor community. “I always told myself if I had the opportunity as a professional athlete to come back, I’d come back and be a great example for the kids here,” Baker said. “I love to give back.” “We’re very, very proud of Chris,” said Windsor mayor Don Trinks. “He has not let his success and all of the work he did himself, let him forget where he came from.” Baker will hold his 4th annual youth camp tomorrow morning in Windsor. He uses the camp to preach education, community, and respecting your peers.

Sheldon Day Hosts Camp for Jacksonville Youth

ProFootballSpot, Breanna Conway, July 25, 2017

On Monday, NFL Play 60 teamed up with Jacksonville Jaguars’ players Sheldon Day and AJ Bouye to put on a football camp for local youth aged 9-13. The camp, held at Englewood High School, features education of rules and techniques of the game and promotes exercise and good character. Both the defensive tackle and the cornerback took part in the activities and opportunity to give back to the Jacksonville community by judging races and speaking to the kids. Day and Bouye took the time to explain to the youth group that football is all about character and technique and inspired them to be involved in excercise activities, while making good decisions off the field. Sheldon Day told First Coast News how important the chance to be at the camp was for him, saying, “Just to give back a little bit of time, just to see the kids smile, have fun and run around, it hits my heart in a special place.”

Ellington Football Camp A Success

Berkeley Independent, Rickey Ciapha Dennis, June 28, 2017

Berkeley High School standouts and NFL players Andre and Bruce Ellington hosted their fourth annual Ellington Elite youth football camp at Berkeley High School on Friday. Nearly 1,000 youth ages 6-16 honed their football skills on a humid morning at Moody Field where they zipped through receiver routes, solidified offensive blocking techniques, improved their field footwork and much more. Andre and Bruce Ellington both left legacies at Berkeley and had stellar football careers at Clemson and the University of South Carolina respectively before entering the pros. The former Ellington just re-signed with Arizona Cardinals for his fifth season of pro ball. Bruce Ellington will enter his fourth season with the San Francisco 49ers this year after missing all last season with a torn hamstring. The Cardinal discussed how meaningful it is each year to give back to his hometown. “We’re trying to continue to keep the culture around here, showing the kids [there’s] a way out,” Andre Ellington said. “Sports [are] definitely a tool you can use to get out into the real world.” “It’s been exciting. The kids have been enjoying it. We have been enjoying it.” He brought a few former Tiger teammates to help train the young Stags, as well as give the youngsters people to look up to. “I try to surround them with a lot of guys that are experienced, who went to college, having these guys around, giving them a source to talk to,” Andre Ellington added. Bruce Ellington, a projected slot receiver for the Niners, completed the youth skills sessions alongside the youngsters. He used his personal testimony to inspire the campers to dream big. “Continue to work hard. Keep God first. Whatever you want, you can get. Most people think you can’t get something because they can’t do it,” he told the athletes as they huddled around him.

Goldsboro Alum Jarran Reed Hosts First Youth Football Camp

WITN, Alex Walker, June 24, 2017

GOLDSBORO, NC -- Former Goldsboro High School star and current Seattle Seahawk Jarran Reed held his first youth football camp Saturday. Over 150 kids showed up for the camp to get one-on-one instruction from the Seahawks' defensive tackle. Reed said this camp was something he wanted to do since he got drafted out of Alabama and that it was important to him to come back to his hometown and give back. "The main focus is making sure the kids learn the fundamentals of football," said Reed. "I have been planning this thing for a year and I know my community needs something positive for the kids to do. I thought it would be a good thing for the kids to do something positive during the day and learn the fundamentals of football."

Albert Wilson Plays Hard for Kids in Care

TCPalm, Christina Kaiser, July 13, 2017

FORT PIERCE -- Nearly 200 local children, ages 6-18, attended the Second Annual Albert Wilson Youth Skills Camp, held June 24 at Port St. Lucie High School. All local children were invited to register for the free football camp, but special attention was given to children in foster care -- the Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver's way of giving back to his community and helping children who share his own childhood experiences. Wilson and a group of NFL players -- including Buffalo Bills Defensive Tackle Jerel Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Chris Conley and Frankie Hammond, wide receiver for the New York Jets -- led groups of children through a series of drills all morning, encouraging them to work hard and achieve harder. "I wanted to get the kids outside, get them exercising and give back to my city," Wilson said in an interview with local television station, WPTV- Channel 5.Wilson, who, at 5-feet, 9-inches, is on the small-but-mighty side for wide receivers, graduated Port St. Lucie High School in 2010 and played college football for Georgia State, where he became the leading receiver in the school's history after recording 175 receptions for 3,190 yards and 23 touchdowns. Wilson was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. He finished the 2016 regular season with 31 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, helping the Chiefs finish with a 12-4 record and qualify for the 2016-17 NFL playoffs. The camp was part of a three-day visit to the Treasure Coast by Wilson, who also took time to shoot a public service announcement for 4KIDS of Treasure Coast, one of the four agencies that recruits, trains and licenses foster homes for Devereux Community Based Care.

Former KU Star Darrell Stuckey Hosts Sixth-Annual Youth Football Camp in KCK

The Kansas City Star, Josh Tolentino, June 24, 2017

As the sun began to rise, Darrell Stuckey arrived at the football fields of Bishop Ward to set up cones in preparation for his camp, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and was attended by about 250 local youths at no cost. “It’s about the collective group of kids and the environment we’re able to cultivate with them being here,” said Stuckey, a former University of Kansas star now with the Los Angeles Chargers. “We want to teach them to compete at a high level without demoralizing their opponent. That ultimately brings out the best competitor.”A fourth-round selection by the Chargers in 2010, Stuckey embraces leadership and sacrifice. He was hands-on throughout the camp, barking out instructions, signing autographs and leading drills. During water breaks, he gave out life advice to kids and interacted with parents. Each camp participant received a T-shirt, a sports bag, a football, a sports bottle, two photos autographed by Stuckey and a free lunch. Among those helping volunteer were Stuckey’s family, friends and former coaches, including Darwin Franklin, his coach at Washington High School. “He (Stuckey) might be big-time now, but this guy will never forget his roots,” said Franklin, who now coaches in Oklahoma City. “Darrell isn’t football, football is just what Darrell does. His humility is what has made him who he is today.” Stuckey’s farewell message was to play the game with love and passion. “Football is a game that’s known to be aggressive, but that doesn’t mean it has to be perfected in anger,” Stuckey said. “It’s hard to stay in control when you’re angry. If you can’t keep your head, there’s no way a kid will be successful playing. We need to introduce and teach the game in a positive way.”

Michael Thomas Helps Bridge the Gap Between Football Camp, Real World

Houston Chronicle, Jenny Dial Creech, June 24, 2017

This week, Michael Thomas is hosting his third camp at Thorne Stadium. In addition to football drills and coaching, participants will go through ACT and SAT prep work, learn about various career opportunities and sit through a town hall meeting. The camp has grown and changed since it began. It's in tune with what is happening with the sport. In the past NFL season, there was a shift. Athletes started to become activists. Most commonly, several (including Thomas) started to kneel during the national anthem. That, Thomas said, was simply a symbol. The action behind it is what matters. One of the actions Thomas has taken is through his football camp. He hopes conversations with the young men who attend can be a positive start.During the town hall meeting Thursday, a 15-year old player from Aldine Davis asked Constable Alan Rosen to tell those in attendance exactly what they should do if pulled over by a police officer. Rosen answered in detail, informing the players that if they started to get worried, they could respectfully ask for a supervisor to be present. Thomas, 27, said when he was a teenager, no one had those types of conversations with him. "Not formally," he said. "If you did something wrong, a coach or your parents might talk to you, but I don't think an adult ever sat me down and told me how to react." Thomas' approach makes a lot of sense. It's not invasive. It's not preachy. It's informative and creates a comfort level in the community. Thomas doing his part Thomas never saw himself as an activist. But after he heard and followed the news about a few young black men whose altercations with police led to their deaths, that changed. "I didn't set out to have a message, but things happened that really made me think," Thomas said. "I thought how I didn't want to just have an opinion; I wanted to do my part to help the problem." That starts in his community, but he hopes to expand it beyond that. In addition to starting conversations about social issues, Thomas puts a major emphasis on education. The Stanford-educated player doesn't just provide common ACT and SAT prep courses for his campers. He also has various professionals come in to talk. He has had programmers and coders, executives and others. In addition to providing guidance on how to pass tests and what careers are available, Thomas spends time teaching the players how to fill out college applications, work on writing essays and look up available scholarships. "I knew when I started this that academics would be a big part of it," Thomas said. "I value my education so much, and I want that for all of these young men." Right now, the camp is just in Aldine. Thomas could see expanding next year into whichever city he is playing. And someday, he'd like to extend that reach. A need to know "These are important things for young men to know," Thomas said. "I'm very fortunate to be where I am, and I want to find ways I can give back." He's off to a great start. Thomas is much more than a football player. And he is doing his part to make sure others can say the same.

Titans' Quinton Spain Hosts 2nd Annual Youth Camp in Petersburg

WRIC, Chip Brierre, July 1, 2017

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Quinton Spain, a Petersburg High School graduate, returns home to teach younger, aspiring football players to always work hard while refining skills and techniques. Spain, starting offensive lineman for the Tennessee Titans, went undrafted coming out of West Virginia. He uses this story as a foundation for his message and joins in helping Petersburg High School strengthen the commitment to football in the area with so much talent making up the fabric of the football community.

Roby Rounds Up Slew of NFL Players for First Annual Football Camp

Gwinnett Daily Post, Collin Huguley, July 15, 2017

On Saturday morning at Buford High School, Gwinnett’s youth football players received the opportunity of a lifetime. Peachtree Ridge graduate and Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby held his first annual NFL skills camp and brought along a large number of his peers to help out as coaches in an effort to show nearly 200 middle and high school football players of Gwinnett that reaching the highest level is possible. “When I was young, I would want NFL guys at my camp,” Roby said. “And to have an opportunity, for free, to go meet some NFL guys and go out and have a good time, I think it was great for the community and for the individuals that came.” In addition to Roby, the coaching staff included former Gwinnett standouts Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Kevin Minter (Peachtree Ridge), Houston Texans cornerback Robert Nelson (North Gwinnett) and Broncos offensive lineman Max Garcia (Norcross). Roby also brought in a few former college teammates from Ohio State and Denver with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple, and Broncos cornerbacks Brendan Langley and Lorenzo Doss. Players from a wide range of ages and sizes competed at this camp and the hope of the coaches was to show every kid there that hard work could allow them to reach any goal, regardless of how lofty it may seem. “(Having NFL players as coaches) shows these kids that anything is possible,” Nelson said. “As you can see, Bradley and I are not the biggest guys in the NFL but it is about the heart to be the best in the NFL because size doesn’t matter. There are a lot of smaller guys out here and this gives them the courage and motivation, seeing us, to know that they can do the same thing.” The Gwinnett County connection for the coaches such as Roby, Nelson, Minter, and Garcia is the most special one. It has become a great honor for those NFL players to be role models for the kids that may walk the same halls and play on the same fields they did growing up. “It’s huge for these kids to see that guys from around here can make it,” Minter said. “There are so many kids that come out of Gwinnett in every facet. It is good for these kids to see that and it allows them to strive to make it, too.”

NFL Player Hosting Youth Football Camp at Paly

Palo Alto Online, Jamey Padojino, July 13, 2017

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is coming back to his old stomping grounds at Palo Alto High School for his second annual Youth Football Camp on Saturday. The daylong event, which was sold-out as of Thursday afternoon, will feature seven-on-seven instruction from Adams himself along with other football players, coaches and trainers. Adams, 24, a member of the Paly Class of 2011, will help young people learn the fundamentals of football, skills and characteristics beneficial not just for a long-term career in sports, but also in life, according to a description on Eventbrite. The inaugural event in 2016 drew in nearly 50 children and teens. The camp is reminiscent of the Paly alum's days that started back in 2002 with the Palo Alto Knights, a youth football team, under coach Mike Piha. Adams helped the team reach the Youth Football National Championships nine times. Piha, is looking to waive the registration fee for young players if they download HitCheck, an app he recently founded that helps athletic professionals screen for signs of concussions with a smartphone.

Kirk Cousins Focused On Winning

WZZM, Jamal Spencer, July 8, 2017

Kirk Cousins is back in Holland putting on a youth football camp for elementary and middle school students at Hope College. The camp features another huge turnout as Cousins and other counselors get hands on with football drills and life lessons aimed and helping kids maintain focus. Cousins is maintaining his focus as well as training camp approaches and the clock continues to tick on a deadline. The Redskins have until July 17th to either sign the former Michigan State QB to a long-term deal or let him play the year on the franchise tag for a second straight season, which would pay Cousins nearly $24 million in 2017. The Holland Christian grad says he isn't worried about finances, just winning. "My agent will get it handled, whatever he thinks is best," Cousins said. "The teams knows what they're doing and it'll all work out. The good news is that I'm with Washington this season regardless and can't wait to get started. I want to win, that's all that matters. Stats good, stats bad, let's just win. I'll trade good stats for wins any day so hopefully we can put a lot of wins up this year and do something special."

Watson's Football Camp is Another Huge Success

WRDW, July 15, 2017

Aiken, SC--It's been over a decade now since Dekoda Watson played football for South Aiken. He's had a successful NFL career and has never forgotten who helped him get there. To that end, the culmination of three days of activities today with his football camp. Over 100 kids were on the field learning from the now San Francisco 49er. He was giving them not only on the field lessons, but life lessons as well. Today was the culmination of activities and Watson is a big thinker and wants to make this even bigger! "We'll have more and more events, not just football related. Like I said, we have some things going on with Cabella's where we'll be able to do some archery stuff, camping, and fishing stuff and things like that. So if the kids weren't able to come to the football camp, we'll have something related to outdoor type things. We're also doing a lot of things not only outside, but inside the classroom as well as far as Excelled Excellence" said Dekoda Watson Watson is now a San Francisco 49er as he's looking to make a big impact them this year and do whatever it takes to help them become a winner.

Charcandrick West Comes Home to Host Football Camp

KTBS, Daniel Brown, July 15, 2017

Charcandrick West's journey to the NFL is one that shows despite whatever health issues or lack of exposure you may face, hard work eventually pays off. Saturday, The Kansas City Chiefs running back made a visit back to his old stomping grounds to provide some summer fun. The inaugural 'No Dream is Too Big' youth football camp targeted kids that were once in West's shoes and it was free of charge for all participants. The Cullen, LA native made a name for himself back when North Webster was still known as Springhill High School and on his former practice grounds, the three year NFL vet said he's happy to be an example that younger players can look up to. "Man it's a blessing man to be out here like in my hometown with some hometown people, it's like a big family reunion out here man so to be able to come back out there with my family and friends, some of my teammates and just give back to these kids is amazing," West explained. LSU linebacker Devin White said, "This camp right here was better than other camps that I went to because it means more because it's my hometown. Charcandrick's my cousin so giving back to him and he giving back to the community, you know I'll help out any day so I mean it was a great camp." West added, "You see all the help I got out here. They don't have to be here they can be anywhere in the world right now, but they're out here helping me for free. We're out there doing this, it's no pay and they're out here helping these kids so the city has been behind my back since day one."

Mario Addision Attracts Nearly 1,0000 Youth for Football Camp

WIAT, Chris Breece, July 8, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)- Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Mario Addison is a big proponent of giving back to those who helped him get where he is today. Saturday at Carver High School he showed that in a big way. Addison, a graduate of Tarrant City High School, held a youth football camp for nearly 1,00 children in the Birmingham area. “This year I said 400,” Addison said. “We ended up doing 1,000 because last year there were kids who missed an opportunity to come have fun . So I made it 1,000.” Addison is joining up with the Birmingham Housing Authority this year to help kids from low income homes, something he can relate to himself. “I want to show the kids that someone cares,” Addison said. “I grew up in a low income home in the projects and didn’t have much growing up. Me being able to give back means a lot.” Addison’s Carolina teammates James Bradberry (Samford) and Joe Webb (UAB) were among the many NFL players who helped put on the camp.

Hayes Pullard Hosts Third Annual Football Camp

Los Angeles Sentinel, Amanda Scurlock, July 20, 2017

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Hayes Pullard hosted his third annual football camp at Crenshaw High School on Saturday, July 15. Athletes throughout Los Angeles were able to learn from current NFL and college players. “We all talk about leading by example and that’s exactly why I’d rather just bring everybody into one space where you can coach the young kids in football as well as educate them,” Pullard said. “That’s why I bring so many athletes and so many positive young men that took different routes.” Pullard noted how hosting these camps are “a blessing.” Since his first camp, he earned sponsorships with the Lakers Youth Foundation, Westside Shoe Source and other organizations. From his experiences in attending football camps in his youth, Hayes noticed how those types of events were not hosted in the South L.A. area. “Once I got accepted into the NFL, I was like, ‘this is the perfect time, there’s no wait time,’” Pullard said. “Being able to get 300-plus kids every single year, it’s amazing to me.”The camp started off with the youth engaging in various drills to enhance speed and agility. The eager athletes worked on their strength with small medicine ball exercises and battle rope drills. Pullard invited the Lakers Foundation to his first camp in 2015, and the organization wanted to support. “We brought our health and fitness trainers out to show the kids how to work out properly, how to stretch, how to warm up,” said Kiesha Nix, executive director of the Lakers Youth Foundation. “I actually came out as a guest three years ago and I was just really impressed with the commitment, the dedication and the passion of Hayes and all of his friends.” The youth also took part in drills by position, with the pro players conducting offensive and defensive drills. There were also 7-on-7 competitions. Pullard’s camp welcomed both boys and girls to participate in workouts and learn the fundamentals of football. The camp was a homecoming for many of the NFL players who volunteered. For Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack and Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, they revel in assisting the youth of their college town. “It’s just fun seeing all these kids out here enjoying playing football,” Jack said. Players like Jaydon Mickens of the Oakland Raiders and Robert Woods of the Rams were cultivated in the CIF City and Southern Section respectively.“I was in the same position they were in growing up in camps with some NFL players.” Woods said. “It’s something that you always remember.” Crenshaw alums like Ajene Harris of USC and UCLA wide receiver Mossi Johnson also helped facilitate the camp.

Former UF Standout Gillislee Ready for New Role with Patriots

The Daily Commercial, Zach Dean, July 9, 2017

DELAND — If you ever have a question about the AFC East, running back Mike Gillislee is probably the guy to ask. The former DeLand and Florida Gators star, was in town this weekend for his second annual youth football camp, signed with the New England Patriots in April after spending nearly two years with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.“These kids out here, they see Mike as a role model for what can be done,” said DeLand head football coach Steve Allen. “To them, he could be a cousin, a neighbor, a friend of a parent, but he’s a real person. He’s somebody who is real to them. It’s not some far-fetched thing. He comes back here and he’s the real deal and it’s awesome.” More than 200 kids attended Gillislee’s camp on Saturday, which took place at Spec Martin Stadium from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Among the NFL players who were also in attendance were San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong, safety Don Jones and former Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel, who currently backs up Andy Dalton in Cincinnati. The Patriots open training camp on July 27 and will begin their Super Bowl title defense on Sept. 7 against Kansas City. “I’ve come a long way,” Gillislee said. “This has been a long journey but I’ve kept God first, worked hard, and He opened some doors for me. My bar is pretty high right now, but I’m not going to change anything. I come to work every day and work hard, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do. I give 100 percent all the time, and I’m just going to let my play this year do the talking.”

Redskins' Blackmon to Host Annual Football Clinic July 8

Johnston Sunrise, June 29, 2017

Washington Redskins’ and Rhode Island native Will Blackmon will return home to the Ocean State in July to host his third annual USA Football FUNdamentals clinic for youth. The free, one-day clinic, is Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Warwick’s Bishop Hendricken High – Blackmon’s alma mater. The camp, open to youth 7- to 14-years-old, is designed to introduce youth to football by teaching basic skills in a fun and energetic environment. Free for participants, the camp is supported through a grant from the NFL Foundation. “I love coming back home to Rhode Island. It’s important to me to give back to the community and offer a free football camp for kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate,” Blackmon said. Blackmon, the former All-Stater and All-American at Hendricken and standout at Boston College, is entering his 12th season in the NFL. He has played for the Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and earned a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants. Blackmon’s experienced camp staff will be comprised of many former Rhode Island standouts including Jordan Monk (St. Raphael/North Carolina State), Robert Sewall (Portsmouth/Brown University) and Chancellor Logan (North Kingstown/Georgetown). Several of Blackmon’s former Boston College teammates will also be in attendance. “All my instructors are great role models. I wanted to incorporate coaches who grew up in Rhode Island and went on to have successful careers so that the kids here could relate to them,” said Blackmon. The third annual Will Blackmon FUNdamentals Football Camp will have two sessions. The morning session will be held open to youth 7- to 10-years-old and will be held 9 a.m.-noon. Check-in will be held at 8:15 a.m. The afternoon session will be open to youth 11- to 14-years-old and is slated for 1-4 p.m. Check-in will be held at 12:15 p.m. Space is limited. To register, visit: willblackmonfootball. For more information, contact: debweinreich1@gmail.com The third annual Will Blackmon Football Camp is sponsored by USA Football, NFLPA, Nuts ‘N More, BankRI, Gilbane Construction, adidas, New England Sports Training (NEST), O’Leary Law, Bishop Hendricken High School, Elite Wireless, 4 Corners Coffee and Deuce Brand.

NFL Players, Including Baltimore Native, Hold Free Camp for City Youth

CBS Baltimore, July 8, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ)– Future NFL players got a real treat Saturday as they attended a free football camp. The coaches for the day included 18 NFL players, including Torrey Smith, and was hosted by Baltimore native Brandon Copeland. It’s a chance of a lifetime for the football loving kids. In North Baltimore, they dealt with the heat of the sun, while being coached by NFL players. The event was the idea of Detroit Lions defensive end Brandon Copeland. “Obviously giving back to the kids is great, coming home to do it is great, and actually getting to see all the familiar faces, former teammates, friends, family members,” Copeland said. The Gilman graduate said he can teach the boys to tackle and hold the ball without fumbling, but there is more to the road to the NFL and the game called life. “If you make it to the NFL, but if we can teach you something you can use tomorrow, you can use when you’re 40, 50,60,70 80, that’s more of what we’re trying to do as a camp,” he said. To make the free camp a success, Brandon got help for 18 of his NFL friends. “You know he’s doing a lot of big things off the field and it’s something that our youth need to be able to look up to and understand, there is more to a guy than being a football player,” said former Raven Torrey Smith. Brandon also said the camp is a chance for the pros to teach kids football skills as well as interact with their role models.

Woodyard Teaches Life Lessons to Lexington Youth

WKYT, June 3, 2017

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Wesley Woodyard played four seasons at the University of Kentucky, but he's been giving back to the Lexington community for much longer."That's why I play the game of football," said Woodyard."So that I can use my platform to come back and inspire these kids and help change their lives." Changing lives in the Lexington community is what Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard has been doing for the past six years through his 16Ways Foundation football and cheer camp. "It's cool man, doing work in the city where I played college football in and watching some of these kids grow man," said Woodyard. "We have some kids that have been here for four or five years at a camp. It's just good to see their growth and some of the things we're trying to instill in them." One new addition this year is the glow up 16-ways effect, where campers are asked to write down their goals and dreams. "I've been preaching it this whole weekend," said Woodyard. "Write your goals down. What is it going to take for you to accomplish those goals and who can stop you? Nobody can if you put your mind to it. So it's pretty cool to see some of these kids. We had a kid that said he wants to be a president. Just to see those kids dreaming like that. That's the beginning to seeing beautiful steps in this community." Woodyard, who is entering his tenth season in the NFL and fourth in Tennessee, has his own goals. "Obviously get better on the football field, but just become a better leader," said Woodyard. "A better listener, a better teammate and that's something that I challenge myself every year. Of course getting in those playoffs is going to be the ultimate team goal, and taking it one step at a time."

More players who held camps with support from the NFLPA over the summer include:

Derrick Morgan
Breno Giacomini
Jabaal Sheard
Nigel Bradham
Demario Davis
Mike Adams
Muhammad Wilkerson
Justin Bethel
Bryce Petty
Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff
Rodney McLeod
Robert Nelson
Will Ghlston
Caleb Benenoch

Brandon Graham
Ron Parker
Prince Amukamara
Morgan Burnett
Eli Harold
Kyle Fuller
Lerentee McCray
TJ Green
Terron Armstead
JT Thomas
Allen Bailey
Da'Norris Searcy
Tony Lippett

Remembering Muhammad Ali

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 13:22:25 GMT

Muhammad Ali will forever be remembered in our hearts as a legendary boxer, civil rights champion, and ‘The Greatest of All Time.’

I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.

Muhammad Ali

Statement from NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith:

He had a singular voice and unmatched courage to stand for something personal and risk it all. He had an all too human will to endure and conquer the crucible of hate at a time when it could have easily cost him his life. He wasn't perfect - who is - but he stood to fight for the perfect ideal of right. It cost him dearly and yet he stood.

I met him only one time and that was as a law school student when our professor brought him to class to talk about how the law failed him and then exonerated him, only after it had forever robbed him of the most valuable years of his career. He took a fight all the way to the Supreme Court which overturned his conviction and noted that in every other similar case a conviction had been overturned or set aside. Yet, it took three years to fix the wrong for doing what Ali believed was right.

His note to me hangs in my home and is a constant reminder of the role of real people who are willing to lose everything in the fight for something more valuable.

In an era where so many have so much, owed to the sacrifice of so few and yet pay back so little, we will miss him more than we will ever know. Thankfully, he still stands.

Recap: NFLPA Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee Meeting

Fri, 27 May 2016 14:57:30 GMT

The NFLPA Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee held its annual meeting yesterday, Thursday, May 26th, to advance important issues concerning the overall health and wellness of current, former, and future NFL players. Topics included ongoing research efforts, evidence-based improvements to player health care, and next steps for continuing our ongoing mission of progressing player wellness.

The Five Players' Associations Oppose the Draft of Senator Jon Woods

Mon, 16 May 2016 20:34:01 GMT

May 2, 2016

The Honorable Asa Hutchinson Governor of Arkansas
500 Woodlane Street, Suite 250 Little Rock, AR 72201

Re: Senator Jon Woods’ Draft Personal Rights Protection Act Dear Governor Hutchinson:

This letter is submitted on behalf of five of the leading professional sports players’ associations in America: the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Basketball Players Association, the National Football League Players Association, the National Hockey League Players’ Association, and the Major League Soccer Players Union. We write to you to express our deep concern over the controversial draft Personal Rights Protection Act that has been put forth by Senator Jon Woods for consideration during a potential Second Extraordinary Session. This proposed legislation has significant problems and we do not believe it appropriate for consideration during a special session.

This legislation purports to protect the property rights of an individual for the use of that individual's name, voice, signature, and likeness. However, the commercial exemptions included in the bill are so broad that these protections would be made effectively null. In fact, this legislation would weaken an individual’s rights in this area as current common law rights exceed the protections afforded under the bill. In short, the exceptions will swallow the rule.

One does not need to be a Constitutional scholar or a legal expert to understand why such an outcome is a bad result. Today, in Arkansas, if a multinational entertainment company wants to make a video game depicting a local church pastor as the head of an illegal gambling operation in the United States, it would need that pastor’s permission. If this bill passed, it would not. Today, in Arkansas, if a concert promoter would like to stage a concert using the digitized likeness of a popular artist, it would need that artist’s permission. If this bill passed, it would not. Today, in Arkansas, if a company wants to make money off the fame and celebrity of Scottie Pippen or Darren McFadden by putting their picture on a T- shirt and then selling it, the company would need their permission. If this bill passed, it would not. Ironically, in this bill, the photographer who took the picture would be granted more rights than the individuals.

This legislation would also encourage excessive litigation as it would require individuals to file a suit to prove the commercial use of their name, voice, signature, and likeness. And instead of providing protections for these rights, the broad commercial exemptions would make a significant number of these claims ill-fated. Essentially, the bill both encourages lawsuits, and also ensures these lawsuits are a lost-cause. To say the least, such a self-contradictory statutory scheme makes little sense and is highly likely to frustrate your constituents and visitors of the State of Arkansas that find themselves on the wrong side of this outcome.

A version of this legislation was vetoed by you last year. As outlined in your veto letter, the previous legislation provided for overly broad commercial exemptions and would have encouraged unnecessary litigation. As outlined above, these same concerns remain outstanding in the draft legislation before us today. Further, similar bills have been rejected in recent years by legislators in Michigan, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Georgia. They understood that the real consequence of such legislation was not to give individual citizens more control over how their names and identities are exploited for financial gain without their permission, but to make it easier for a variety of special interests to make money off the hard work of others.

This is a subject that deserves serious discussion, especially with constituents, the people who may find themselves without protection this bill’s title purports to add. Courts have shown that it is critical that a balancing test be used where First Amendment and personal publicity rights collide. Allowing for broad commercial exemptions, without balancing against an individual’s personal rights, would be a dramatic step in the wrong direction and would severely limit the very rights this legislation seeks to protect.

Accordingly, we do not think it appropriate for consideration during Arkansas’s potential Second Extraordinary Session, where it would not face the type of robust debate necessary to ensure areas of concern are fully deliberated.

For these reasons, we oppose this draft legislation.

Sincerely,

The Five Players' Associations Thank Senator Bobby Joe Champion

Mon, 16 May 2016 20:17:40 GMT

May 16, 2016

Senator Bobby Joe Champion

3207 Minnesota Senate Office Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

Dear Senator Champion:

On behalf of the members of five of the leading professional sports players’ associations in America: the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Basketball Players Association, the National Football League Players Association, the National Hockey League Players’ Association, and the Major League Soccer Players Union - we want to thank you for your efforts to clarify the right of publicity in Minnesota. We support the objective of SF 3609, the PRINCE Act – to protect the ability of Minnesotans to have some control over the use of their name, voice, signature and likeness for commercial profit, without their permission. Unfortunately, the current draft of the legislation, with all the commercial exemptions it provides, may end up swallowing the very right the bill wants to create. Specifically, the exemption for “other audiovisual works” is being used to try to abrogate existing protections that athletes, musicians and other celebrities currently have.

Today, in Minnesota and around the country, when alleged free speech interests collide with other protected interests – like the state law right of publicity – the courts require a balancing test and it’s the job of the courts to strike the legally required balance, based on the unique facts presented. This happens in other First Amendment cases. Take, for example, a lawsuit involving libel. The injured party files suit. The defendant says he or she has a First Amendment protection. The court then has to balance a person’s state law right not to be libeled with someone else’s First Amendment right to speak – whether that speech occurred on television, or in a movie, or on a poster, or in a video game.

The most current version of SF 3609 would eliminate this balancing test for an array of commercial interests. It would deny individual Minnesotans their day in court. Under current law, they may not win but at least they have an opportunity to make their case that their identity is being used by another, without permission, to make money.

For example, today, in Minnesota, if a concert promoter would like to stage a concert using the digitized likeness of a popular rock musician artist, it would need that artist’s permission. If the revised draft of the bill is enacted, it would not.

Similarly, if a multinational entertainment company wants to make a video game depicting Kevin Garnett playing basketball, Zach Parise playing hockey, a Minnesota Viking playing football, a Minnesota Twin playing baseball, or a Minnesota United FC member playing soccer, it would need their permission. If the revised bill is enacted, it would not. Today, gaming companies pay for the right to use the names, likenesses, mannerisms and voices of professional athletes, musicians and other celebrities in their video games. These same companies have argued in other states, when comparable legislation was being considered, that including the phrase “audiovisual works” in the list of exemptions will end their need to continue paying for this use. The bill being considered in Minnesota contemplates this very language--granting exceptions for other audiovisual work--that according to the video game makers would obviate their responsibility to seek consent from these celebrities for use of their likenesses and erase the first amendment protective rights of these celebrities as previously interpreted by the courts.

Reliance on a balancing test is well established in the courts. In the now famous human cannon ball case, Zacchini v. Scripps Howard Broadcasting Co., 433 U.S. 562 (1977), the Supreme Court of the United States was asked to address whether a television station broadcast of Mr. Zacchini’s 15 seconds-long human cannonball act on the evening news violated his right of publicity. The Court ruled that the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution did not provide the television station with blanket immunity to violate Mr. Zacchini’s right of publicity.

The court noted that the primary purpose of the right of publicity is to prevent unjust enrichment. Because Mr. Zacchini had expended time and energy to cultivate this skill, the value of which is derived from the entertainer’s exclusive control, the Court held that appropriating the act in full took away Mr. Zacchini’s opportunity to charge an admission fee and violated his right to protect his name and image.

In No Doubt v. Activision Publ’g, Inc., 192 Cal. App. 4th 1018 (Cal. App. 2011), the court rejected the video game manufacturer’s First Amendment argument. Similarly, in Keller v. Electronic Arts, Inc., 2010 WL 530108 (N.D. Cal., Feb. 6, 2010), a video game’s use of a former college athlete’s identity was held not to be protected by the First Amendment. Other recent cases holding that the right of publicity protects the unauthorized commercial exploitation of student athletes’ and professional athletes’ likenesses against First Amendment challenge include Hart v. Electronic Arts, Inc., 717 F.3d 141 (3d Cir. 2013), and Davis v. Electronic Arts, Inc., 775 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 2015), cert. denied, 136 S.Ct. 1448 (2016), in which the U.S. Supreme Court denied review just a few months ago.

The Supreme Court case of Brown v. E ntertainment Merchants Ass’n, 131 S. Ct. 2729 (2011), also did not support the kind of broad exemption found in the bill. The issue before the Court in Brown was whether the state of California could regulate the sale of video games to children if the games depicted killing, maiming, dismembering, or sexual assault. That decision does not stand for the proposition that all video games are completely protected by the First Amendment from otherwise applicable state laws, as some have argued.

This issue has been considered in other states and similar attempts to legislate exemptions to the right of publicity have failed in Michigan, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland and Georgia, to name only a few. They understood that the real consequence of such exemptions was not to give individual citizens more control over how their names and identities are used but instead allowed them to be exploited for financial gain without their permission.

We appreciate your interest in this issue and the thoughtful consideration the Senate Judiciary Committee is giving this legislation. This is a subject that deserves serious discussion about all potential consequences to determine the best way to protect the publicity rights of Minnesotans.

We look forward to working with you to find an equitable solution and hope you will agree that the cost of codifying a state right of publicity law should not be that some Minnesotans will have less protection than they currently enjoy.

Sincerely,

Jordan Matthews Visits the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Fri, 06 May 2016 16:20:35 GMT

Philadelphia wide receiver Jordan Matthews has not been in the National Football League for very long, but already he is making an impact both on and off the field.

A 2014 graduate of Vanderbilt, Matthews earned First Team All-SEC twice and was named a third-team All-American his senior season. In just his first two seasons with the Eagles, he has hauled in 152 receptions for 1,869 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading his team in both receiving yards (997) and touchdown receptions (8) last season.

In his off-time, however infrequent it may be, Jordan has committed to giving back to his new Philadelphia home. Almost immediately after joining the Eagles, Matthews started visiting the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where he would help hand out Eagles-themed capes to the young patients.

So, when the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), who is charitable partners with the Children’s Brain Tumor Fund (CBTF), was looking for a player brand ambassador for their 2016 Help Kids Be Kids campaign, Matthews was a natural choice.

“Jordan is an outstanding choice for the player brand ambassador with LIMA and CBTF. He donates most of his free time during the season visiting and inspiring children at CHOP,” Steve Scebelo, the Vice President of Licensing and Business Development at the NFL Players Association, said of Matthews.

This past Monday, May 2^nd, Matthews stopped by CHOP to make some new friends, something that is very important to the third year player.

I think people need to look inside and say how can we go out of our way to help out these children, any type of foundation they can donate to or just coming here to spend time with them is always important. The kids really enjoy it, and you always leave feeling better than when you came. I encourage anybody to get involved.

Jordan Matthews

“Jordan truly has a special gift for reaching children,” Christina Jordan, Director of Marketing for LIMA, said of Matthews. “He was just so good with them and the children lit up when they interacted with him. It seemed like for a moment, the pain was secondary.”

Since 2004, LIMA has helped raise over 5.4 million dollars for the CBTF, a number that Jordan Matthews hopes to help grow. For more information on LIMA and CBTF, please visit www.licensing.org/about/cares.

NFLPA Statement on Second Circuit Decision

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 17:10:29 GMT

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2016

NFLPA STATEMENT ON SECOND COURT DECISION

WASHINGTON D.C., April 25, 2016 – The NFLPA is disappointed in the decision by the Second Circuit. We fought Roger Goodell's suspension of Tom Brady because we know he did not serve as a fair arbitrator and that players' rights were violated under our collective bargaining agreement.

Our Union will carefully review the decision, consider all of our options and continue to fight for players' rights and for the integrity of the game.

###

Behind the Scenes Photoshoot with Former Players

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:27:12 GMT

During the NFLPA Player Representatives meeting former players (Greg Camarillo, Kyle Brady, Cornelius Bennett, Eddie Khayat, Tim Irwin, and Jon Ritchie) met up to pose for a 60th anniversary photo. Watch the moments leading up to this epic photo as these veterans catch-up with each other, share jokes, and talk about what they had to wear when they played football.

Greg Camarillo: A California native, Camarillo graduated from Stanford University in 2005 and played seven years in the NFL as a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints.

Kyle Brady: Brady, a tight end from Penn State University, went in the first round of the 1995 draft to the New York Jets. He spent time with the Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots over the course of his 13-year career, culminating with an AFC Championship in 2007.

Cornelius Bennett: After getting picked second overall in the 1987 draft, Bennett went on to have an illustrious 14-year career in which the linebacker won four straight AFC Championships with the Buffalo Bills. Bennett was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, made the All-Pro team three times, and was a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year. He also made the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and was honored on the Buffalo Bills 50^th Anniversary Team.

Eddie Khayat: A 35-year veteran of the NFL, Eddie spent 10 years as a defensive player for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Boston Patriots before coaching for 25 years in the league. Khayat served as a head coach and defensive line coach for eight teams, finishing his time in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tim Irwin: Irwin, who played for the University of Tennessee, enjoyed a 14 year career in the NFL after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 1981 draft. An offensive tackle, Irwin spent 13 of his 14 seasons with the Vikings before returning to Tennessee and getting his law degree. In 2005, he became the Judge of the Juvenile Court for Knox County.

Jon Ritchie: Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 1998 draft, Ritchie played seven seasons in the NFL. Ritchie started at fullback in Super Bowl XXXVII in his final season for the Raiders before heading to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003. Ritchie announced in 2016 he would be running for Pennsylvania State Senate.

Torrey Smith Holds Charity Basketball Game to Benefit At-Risk Youth

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 14:07:14 GMT

Event Photo Gallery by Alexander Jonesi

Current, former Ravens gather to support Torrey Smith's charity basketball game
By Jeff Zrebiec
The Baltimore Sun

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is still rehabilitating his surgically repaired left knee, but he couldn't resist putting up a couple of jump shots and he certainly wasn't going to miss a chance to support his former teammate, Torrey Smith.

His broken arm still not 100 percent healed, Ravens running back Justin Forsett also wasn't going to risk a setback in his recovery by playing in a charity basketball game. However, it was important for him to support Smith, whom he called one of the best people he has ever met in the NFL.

Then, there was Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, who had a rare Saturday off before he and the Orioles open their regular season Monday. Jones deemed helping out Smith as the perfect way to spend it.

"I think what Torrey does with the kids and education, it's the root of everything. I think we both harp on that," said Jones, who served as the coach of Smith's winning "red" team, led by Most Valuable Player Aquille Carr (Patterson). "I think what he's doing and his wife [Chanel], it's crazy that he's in San Francisco, but he still does events in Baltimore and still has the support of the city, which is tremendous."

Smith, heading into his second season with the San Francisco 49ers after playing four years with the Ravens, hosted his fifth annual charity basketball game Saturday afternoon at Royal Farms Arena in downtown Baltimore. All proceeds for the event benefited the Torrey Smith Foundation, which provides for at-risk youth.

The 27-year-old receiver, who grew up in Virginia and played his college football at Maryland, also awarded four students college scholarships in the name of his late brother, Tevin Jones.

"One thing I take a lot of pride in and I said that when I left, I didn't want to be a guy that is committed to the city when you are there, and then when you leave, you forget about it," Smith said. "Baltimore is home for us now. To have a fun event like this and also raise money for the foundation, which gives back to kids in the city, is a blessing."

The game filled up much of the lower level of the arena, and attracted a number of Smith's former teammates. Current Ravens Terrance West (Towson University, Northwestern High) and Sam Koch played, as did former Ravens Anquan Boldin, Qadry Ismail, LaQuan Williams (Maryland, Poly), Brandon Copeland (Gilman), Bryan Hall, Donte' Stallworth and Brynden Trawick.

Other current and former Ravens, such as Flacco, Forsett, Michael Campanaro (River Hill), Lardarius Webb, Jeremy Butler and Jameel McClain, also attended but didn't play.

"It's important to be here because of Torrey. He's just an awesome guy," Flacco said. "What he did for this community and what he continues to do — he comes back here a ton — I love Torrey to death.

"He'll always be a part of what I consider Baltimore because we had such a great run together."

Full story: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-torrey-smith-charity-0403-20160402-story.html

Special thanks to everyone who made yesterday possible! It was amazing. Thanks to the sponsors and all of the volunteers. Can't wait for next year! If you were there use this hashtag for your pic #tsfhoops

A photo posted by Torrey Smith (@torreysmithwr) on Apr 3, 2016 at 3:52am PDT

Ravens Turn Out To Support Former Teammate Torrey Smith
By Garrett Downing
Baltimore Ravens

Based on the scene inside Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena Saturday afternoon, it seemed like wide receiver Torrey Smith never left the Ravens.

The former Raven and current San Francisco 49er returned to Baltimore this weekend to host his charity basketball game, and he had a strong showing of support from his old teammates.

“It’s important to be here because it’s Torrey,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. “He’s an awesome guy. What he did for this community, and what he continues to do, he comes back here a ton – I love Torrey to death, so I’ll be here all the time.”

Flacco, Lardarius Webb, Justin Forsett, Sam Koch, Michael Campanaro, Jeremy Butler and Terrance West all attended the game. Other former Ravens like Anquan Boldin, Jameel McClain and Donte Stallworth, and local athletes like Orioles center fielder Adam Jones were also in attendance.

Most of the Ravens didn’t actually play – Koch, Butler and West were the only ones to suit up – but they still wanted to be there.

“They’re taking the time out to try to be here and I think it says a lot about them, more than anything else,” Smith said. “One thing that I took a lot of pride in and I said it when I left, is that I didn’t want to be a guy that was committed to the city when he was there, but then forget about it when you leave. Baltimore is home for us now and still to have a fun event like this, and also raise money for our foundation that gives back to kids in the city, it’s a blessing.”

Smith, a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2011, made the charity basketball game an annual event during his four years in Baltimore. The event has grown significantly from the first two years of having it at his high school in Stafford, Virginia. He then moved the game to his alma mater, University of Maryland, and this year was the first time it was actually in Baltimore.

“I was like, man everything we’re doing is really based in Baltimore, so why not do it there?” Smith said. “The support from the fans has been amazing, and we get to see a lot of faces that we’re helping with the foundation in the stands. It’s important to see that and it’s special as well.”

Smith was a fan favorite during his time with the Ravens, and the year away did not diminish that love affair for the fans in attendance Saturday. Plenty of people still donned their No. 82 Ravens jerseys, and his former teammates marveled at the reception from the Baltimore crowd.

“It’s crazy to see just the impact that he had on this city,” Forsett said. “The people love him, the city loves him, and he has a heart for the city still. It’s pretty remarkable.”

Special thanks to everyone who made yesterday special! @mozellfilms pic.twitter.com/IdaQ4RE4vZ
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) April 3, 2016

Original story: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Turn-Out-To-Support-Former-Teammate-Torrey-Smith/23aba16e-59e4-46f1-b786-db4163b5eb40

2016 NFLPA Externship In the Books

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 12:43:34 GMT

This year’s NFLPA Externship is in the books. In 2016, the program boasted record participation as 26 players took positions with 10 different outstanding organizations.

Here’s what player participants, host companies and the media had to say about the NFLPA Externship...

Arrelious Benn, player extern at Fanatics

“I had a lot of injuries early on in my career and I still have a lot of ball left in me, but I always knew that I can’t do it forever. (Working with Fanatics is) very advantageous because you’re coming across some good people. Seeing what you can branch off other than football, what other doors can open up, I think it’s a great thing that the NFLPA has done along with Fanatics for us to come together and get a great opportunity and experience other things outside of catching a ball, running a route and tackling.”

Good morning America

WATCH: #NFL stars tackle internships to develop career skills. @WillAllenWAF @FHammond85 @DarrelYoung36 #GMAInterns https://t.co/SUv51XI5VD
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 25, 2016

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 25, 2016

Asante Cleveland, Player extern with comcast sportsnet

When you enjoy doing something, it shows

A photo posted by Asante Cleveland (@clevelandshow_82) on Mar 7, 2016 at 7:32pm PST

steelers depot

“For many, however, including those who play the game, (NFL) stands for ‘Not For Long’, with the average NFL career lasting only a few years. And while they make good money in comparison to the average national income, their window of earning potential is short, and requires a lifetime of shrewd investment and expenditure to make that money last. That is the mindset of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Will Allen, a former 2004 fourth-round pick of the Buccaneers who has spent the majority of the back half of his career up north. Allen has used the offseason in recent years to prepare for his life after his football career is over, through programs supplied by the NFLPA. This is an essential tool for the majority of players, who typically do not make a lifetime’s worth of money during their brief careers.”

Niko Davis, Player Extern on Capitol Hill

Pleasure chattin' with ya @senjohnmccain!! You may not have voted for the man, but don't forget he was tortured as a prisoner of war in service to YOUR country! #nflpa #nflpaexternship #johnmccain #ussenate #youreabitsmallerthanithought 😂🙌🏾✊🏼✊🏾🇺🇸

A photo posted by Niko Davis (@itsnikodavis) on Mar 10, 2016 at 4:32am PST

espn

“Josh Bynes was constantly on the move Thursday, darting around the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. The Detroit Lions linebacker would duck his head into a meeting. He'd sit in on other conversations and along the way learn a little bit about a side of the NFL with which he wasn't familiar. Bynes is in his second week of an externship with the NFLPA in an attempt to prepare himself for a life once football is over, and he's picking up a lot.”

Josh Bynes, Player Extern with NFLPA

First week of work done! A little different than my usual 6am to 6pm job! Lol
Football isnt forever! #nextstepAFTERball #NFLPAexternship
— Josh Bynes (@bynestime56) February 19, 2016

Tony Washington, Player Extern at Under Armour

“I wanted to do something in the offseason to better myself and just explore other things besides football. And so when I saw that the NFLPA had the externship program and had all these different companies you could go to, I decided to look into it. I thought it would be something that could be interesting. Under Armour approaches footwear and apparel as an innovative company. They pride themselves on being a performance based company. They’re always trying to put the newest technology into their shoes and into their clothes.”

Ryan Seymour, PLAYER EXTERN AT UNDER ARMOUR

— Ryan Seymour (@SEYMONSTER62) February 14, 2016

panini

"Washington Redskins tight end Ray Hamilton hit the ground running in his first week at Panini America as part of the unique NFLPA Externship program. He arrived on Tuesday and spent the better part of his first week fully immersed in the Panini America Product Development department attending meetings, developing checklists, visiting the company production facility and making his Panini Unwrapped debut. To be sure, Hamilton’s blog post documenting his first week on the job is must-read material.”

Ray Hamilton, Player Extern at Panini America

— Ray Hamilton (@ray_hamilton_) February 19, 2016

The finsiders

“Terrence Fede has been busy working out since the start of the calendar year to give himself the best possible chance to have a successful 2016 season for the Dolphins. The defensive end also is thinking long term, specifically beyond his playing career, and that’s also been part of his offseason. Fede is spending time at the University of Maryland these days working in their athletic department as part of the third annual NFLPA Externship.”

Associated Press

“As part of the NFL Players Association's "Externship Program," veterans such as Steelers safety Will Allen and guys coming off a first season in the league such as Broncos nose tackle Darius Kilgo — fresh with a Super Bowl ring, no less — have joined the workforce. The companies' playbooks cover topics such as market data analysis, hospitality, communications, health and safety innovation, sales, legislative processes, and networking. Kilgo and Allen expect to do "a bit of everything" during their stints. Mostly, they plan to learn about a workplace entirely different from their day jobs.”

Will Allen, PLAYER EXTERN ON Capitol Hill

Oh you know, just trading laughs with #speakerofthehouse #PaulRyan today. Awesome personable guy and huge sports fan!! #DC

A photo posted by Will Allen (@willallenwaf) on Feb 24, 2016 at 12:20pm PST

Washington Post

“Jamison Crowder set the Redskins’ record for receptions by a rookie last season and figures to play an even more prominent role in Washington’s offense in 2016, but the 22-year-old wide receiver is already planning for his next career. For the past three weeks, Crowder has traded in his playbook for a notebook and skipped the weight room in favor of a cubicle at Marriott International headquarters in Bethesda. Crowder is one of 26 players participating in the NFL Players Association’s third-year externship program, which is designed to give players real-world experience in industries outside of football.”

Reggie Smith, Player Extern with Fanatics

Yeah this happened today #fanatics #NFLPAExternship pic.twitter.com/w3c2n8kw8t
— Reginald L. Smith II (@superreg30) February 23, 2016

Eric Winston Reelected as NFLPA President

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:35:40 GMT

For Immediate Release
March 18, 2016

ERIC WINSTON REELECTED NFLPA PRESIDENT
Thomas Davis, Richard Sherman, Shaun Suisham, Ryan Wendell Join Executive Committee

The NFLPA Board of Player Representatives today reelected Eric Winston as President of the NFL Players Association. He ran unopposed to secure his second consecutive two-year term.

Additionally, Thomas Davis, Richard Sherman, Shaun Suisham and Ryan Wendell have been elected to the NFLPA Executive Committee by the Board of Representatives during the annual meetings in Kapalua, Hawaii.

They join current Executive Committee members Lorenzo Alexander, Zak DeOssie, Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Herzlich, Adam Vinatieri and Benjamin Watson who were reelected by unanimous affirmation.

With the 2016 election, Ryan Clark, Jay Feely, Brian Waters and Scott Wells cycle off the NFLPA Executive Committee.

The 2016 NFLPA Board of Player Representatives Meeting continues through March 20.

Former Player David Vobora Leads Free Rehabilitation Program for Veterans

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 17:08:09 GMT

Contest Empowers Vets
Denton Record-Journal
By Jenna Duncan

2xlimb salvage and 23 surgeries later #nbd rocking my #adaptivetrainingfoundation tee @davidvobora @VaultTraining pic.twitter.com/YVAunomfRd
— Siale Langi (@siale) February 26, 2016

It’s the setup for a classic game of pick-up basketball. One team is wearing green shirts, with a Flower Mound police SWAT logo on the left breast.

The other team has uncoordinated outfits, but cover their torsos with faded black mesh tank tops called pinnies.

After about 20 minutes of practice shooting hoops and joking, the game started Wednesday in the Texas Woman’s University Fitness and Recreation Center.

The game was pre-organized, and the pinnies were the home team, a group of veterans with physical disabilities and their trainers from Adaptive Training Foundation in Dallas. They faced all able-bodied, athletic men from the SWAT team — and every person on the court was in a wheelchair designed for basketball.

Coordinated by Project INVEST (Injured Veterans Entering Sports Training) at TWU, the game was the third annual Battle of the Backboards, where injured veterans face off with first responders in a game of wheelchair basketball.

The project works with various veteran organizations and military bases to help reintegrate military members with disabilities into society through adaptive sports, said Ronald Davis, a TWU professor who heads the program.

“We want everyone to think about sports being sports, whether you’re in a wheelchair or not,” Davis said. “For [the veterans] it’s about the normality and being accepted in a normal environment, and getting them out and engaged.”

Some of the players are in a nine-week training course for veterans and civilians with disabilities at the Adaptive Training Foundation, and others were alumni of the program.

The free program, led by David Vobora, works with 10 veterans every nine weeks once they’re done with physical therapy to help “restore, recalibrate and redeploy” them as athletes, he said.

“I was an NFL player, and I suck at wheelchair basketball. It’s amazing because this group can do things I can’t do and that challenges me,” Vobora said. “I feel like it’s a huge paradigm shift when you stop saying words like heal and recover and start using words like compete. It’s utilizing good pain to push out bad pain and empowering them through competition.”

While many of the veterans were familiar with using the adaptive wheelchairs, it was a learning curve for the SWAT team, said Lt. Henry Lucio. They worked with the chairs for about 20 minutes before the game, and walked away physically drained, he said.

“It was totally different,” Lucio said of playing basketball in a wheelchair. “My arms are still tight. I’m sure everybody else’s arms feel like rubber bands.”

Lucio said the team had training in the morning so participating seemed like a good team building exercise and a way to get involved with veterans in the community.

“There are some great athletes over there,” Lucio said after the veterans beat his team 24-16. “They’re not letting their disability slow them down one bit.”

Original Story: http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20160316-contest-empowers-vets.ece

Tony Steward Establishes Cancer Foundation, Speaks to Youth About Adversity

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 16:49:46 GMT

Bills' Steward back in town for visit

The St. Augustine Record

By Brent Woronoff

Was an honor being able to come back and speak at the St Augustine/St Johns County Sports Club. First class people all the way. I look forward to coming back and again and sharing my experiences and a few more stories.

A photo posted by Tony Steward Jr (@tony_stewardjr) on Mar 17, 2016 at 10:33am PDT

Buffalo Bills linebacker Tony Steward was back in town Thursday, hanging out with his brother, Texas San Antonio freshman running back Halen Steward, and speaking to the St. Johns County Sports Club at The Corner Bar Sports Bar & Grill on Anastasia Boulevard.

“St. Augustine is an amazing town,” the former Menendez star said at the podium. “Coming back, I see what some people have done to give back and others I see what mistakes they make.”

Steward said he spoke to Menendez’s football players earlier in the week ”to put a light on at the end of the tunnel for them,” letting them know that good things can happen for those who work hard.

There is no better example for the kids of a player who has managed adversity than Tony Steward.

He overcame two anterior cruciate ligament tears in less than a year. He suffered a back injury last December in his first opportunity in a regular-season game.

And last month he lost his fiancé, Brittany Burns, to ovarian cancer.

“Being around my family and being able to come home really helped,” the Hastings native said. “Those last couple of months with my fiancé was pretty tough.”

He said volunteering to help disabled children, “seeing what they go through every day of their lives,” has helped him cope.

He has also been busy working with the foundation he and Burns established after she was diagnosed in December. They started the foundation to help other ovarian cancer patients cope with the disease.

As much hardship as Steward has had to deal with, he knows he is lucky to be playing in the NFL, especially after tearing his left ACL in his final high school game and then tearing his right ACL midway through his freshman season at Clemson.

By his senior season in 2014, the former five-star recruit had worked his way all the way back and become one of the top linebackers in the country. Still, if it hadn’t been for his Clemson teammate, Seth Ryan, son of Bills coach Rex Ryan, Steward said he probably wouldn’t have been drafted.

The Bills picked Steward in the sixth round last year, and Seth Ryan called him with the news.

“I had no expectation of getting drafted by the NFL,” he said. “I expected to sign a free agent contract. But I got a call from one of my teammates, and 30 seconds into the call I saw my name flash on the TV screen. I thought, ‘Wow, this is unbelievable.’ It was one of the proudest moments of my life.”

When Steward met Rex Ryan, the Bills coach told him the biggest reason the team drafted him was because of the kind of person Steward is.

“Now every time I see him he cusses me out, gives me some crap,” Steward said. “He is probably crazier than what you hear about.

“But Rex Ryan had that connection with Clemson and gave me a shot, and I told myself, ‘I’m going to make the most of it.’ ”

Original Story: http://staugustine.com/sports/local-sports/2016-03-17/bills-steward-back-town-visit

NFLPA Thanks Clark, Feely, Waters and Wells for Executive Committee Service

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 15:04:03 GMT

Update: Eric Winston Reelected President; Thomas Davis, Richard Sherman, Shaun Suisham, Ryan Wendell Join Executive Committee

NFL PLAYERS TO VOTE FOR NFLPA PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LATER TODAY
Ryan Clark, Jay Feely, Scott Wells and Brian Waters retire from posts after service to players

Today, players will elect their President and Executive Committee for the 2016-2018 seasons at the NFLPA Board of Representatives meeting in Hawaii. With this election, four current members of the Executive Committee will be rotating off, and the Union recognizes them for their service and dedication.

As part of the NFLPA's player leadership, Ryan Clark, Jay Feely, Brian Waters and Scott Wells have been instrumental in the fight to protect players’ rights both on and off the field. From helping shape a new drug policy and the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement to contributing to advancements in health and safety, these four men played major roles in some of the most important achievements in the NFLPA’s history.

After 13 seasons in the league, RYAN CLARK officially announced his retirement in February of 2015. He began his NFL career when the New York Giants picked up the safety in 2002 out of LSU as an undrafted free agent. Clark would spend his first two seasons with the Giants before spending the rest of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. As a member of the Steelers, Clark played in the 2011 Pro Bowl, won two AFC Divisional titles, and helped lead Pittsburgh’s tough defense to the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLIII. Additionally, Clark served his teammates on the Steelers as the NFLPA Player Representative from 2009-2014. He finished his career with 929 tackles, four sacks, five forced fumbles, and 16 interceptions. Throughout his career, Clark worked within his community, eventually starting the Cure League in 2012 to help raise awareness and search for a cure for sickle cell disorder, something Clark personally battled in his career.

In March of 2015, Clark signed on as a full-time analyst for ESPN.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, JAY FEELY played professional football for 16 years before retiring at the conclusion of the 2014 season. In the NFL, Feely converted 83% of his field goal attempts (332 out of 402), amassing 1,451 points in his career, which is good for 23rd place in NFL history. His career took him all around the country as he suited up for the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears throughout his time in the league. Within the NFLPA, Feely served as a Player Representative and as a member of the Lifecycle Committee before being elected to the Executive Committee in March of 2014. Feely and his family have long been active with the Ronald McDonald House and House of Refuge, in addition to his own foundation that focuses on the protection, education, and rehabilitation of children.

Feely is currently working with CBS Sports Network as a football analyst.

A six-time Pro Bowler, offensive lineman BRIAN WATERS announced his retirement from football in September of 2014 after 15 successful NFL seasons. Waters attended the University of North Texas and entered the league in 1999 as an undrafted free agent. He spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys over the course of his career, winning an AFC Championship in 2011. In 2004, Waters was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, the first offensive lineman to win the award in the conference. He was first voted by his Chiefs teammates to serve as their NFLPA Player Representative in 2004, making him one of the longest tenured men in player leadership. He was elected to the Executive Committee in 2010 and was an active presence during the 2011 CBA negotiations. For his contributions on and off the field, Waters won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2009.

Over the course of his 11-year career with the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams, SCOTT WELLS contributed immensely on the field and in the locker room. Wells, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, helped the Packers win Super Bowl XLV and was voted to the 2011 Pro Bowl. During his five-year tenure as the Packers’ starting center, he missed just one game. Wells went on to dutifully serve his Rams teammates as an NFLPA Player Representative. Off the field, he and his wife Julie participate in the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program and are active with the Churches of Christ. Julie and Scott’s family grew in 2012 when they adopted three children – Caroline, Elijah, and R.J – from Uganda, joining their three children Jackson, Lola, and Kingston.

-- Caroline Darney
NFLPA Communications

###

Harvard Launches ResearchKit App to Support Football Player Health

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 18:01:05 GMT

March 17, 2016 – The Football Players Health Study at Harvard University—a series of studies that examine the health and well-being of former football players and aims to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions—today launched TeamStudy, an iPhone research app built using ResearchKit, the open source software framework designed by Apple.

Former NFL players were integral in designing the app to focus on health issues that matter most to them, such as memory, balance, heart health, pain and mobility. For the first time, anyone with an iPhone can support the study of athlete health and help researchers better understand the health issues that matter most to former NFL players. TeamStudy is available as a free download from the App Store.

By engaging the general public, TeamStudy is establishing a control group that includes both men and women, as well as athletes and nonathletes. All study participants can interact directly with the Harvard research team, contributing questions and, over time, receiving results and statistics on the study findings. TeamStudy makes it easy for participants to enroll through an interactive informed consent process, and enables users to easily complete tasks and surveys directly from their iPhone.

“By bringing the Football Players Health study to this app, we’re able to easily capture data from participants all over the nation, enabling us to better understand the everyday experiences of former NFL players,” said Alvaro Pascual-Leone, the principal investigator of TeamStudy. Pascual-Leone is a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, chief for the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and director of the Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation.

“Traditionally, we study participants in one location, failing to capture their real-life, day-to-day experience—for example, understanding things like pain and daily activity,” Pascual-Leone said. “Using ResearchKit, we will be able to quickly identify patterns that could lead to treatments for health conditions faced by former NFL players.”

“Assessing cardiovascular health is a key function of the app and a priority of the Football Players Health Study. We need to understand more about heart health among former athletes and work to identify factors that contribute both to health and disease,” said Aaron Baggish, associate director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Cardiovascular Performance Program and co-medical director of the Boston Marathon.

Former players have been involved not only in the design of the app, but also in testing. “As a former linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys for seven years, I can tell you that knowledge is key to progress. When we leave the game, there is not enough information available for us to understand our state of health,” explained Dat Nguyen. “For years, we've asked ourselves these questions: 'Should my joints have this much pain? Is my memory normal? Should I be concerned about my heart health?’ TeamStudy will allow the Harvard researchers to answer these questions and share the facts with all of us.”

“This app will allow the Harvard team to take its work to another level—reaching perhaps thousands more former players and extending even further to fans, friends, spouses and other communities,” said Mark Herzlich, a linebacker for the New York Giants and a member of the NFLPA Executive Committee. “Across the board, we’re seeing more mainstream interest in supporting player health. TeamStudy will allow everyone’s voice to be heard as app users perform simple activities and answer basic health questions.”

About the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University

Launched in 2014, the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University is a series of studies and research initiatives addressing the whole player over the course of his entire life. The study is funded by the NFL Players Association, utilizing shared resources across supporting institutions at Harvard. With more than 2,800 participants enrolled, it is the largest study of former living players. Several smaller studies supporting novel research and promising treatments are currently underway across Harvard.

To download TeamStudy and for more information, visit: footballplayershealth.harvard.edu/join-us/teamstudy-app
Twitter: @PlayersStudy
TeamStudy video: https://vimeo.com/157651306

Media Contact:
Gina Vild, Harvard Medical School
617-584-5236 / gina_vild@hms.harvard.edu

NFLPA Celebrates 60th Anniversary

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:47:31 GMT

The NFLPA is proud to announce the celebration of our 60th Anniversary in 2016. Earlier this year at Super Bowl 50, we highlighted the extraordinary achievements of our union.

NFLPA Super Bowl 50 Video Playlist

In 1956, NFL players demanded one simple thing: a voice. They demanded a seat at the table to negotiate fair wages, safe working conditions, a pension and basic employee benefits. Six decades later, NFL players are more than just employees, they are partners in the most popular and highest revenue generating sport in America.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting our organization, our mission and ultimately, our players. You are part of our history and it is important that we all take the time to recognize how we all reap the benefits today of the people who sacrificed so much yesterday.

Throughout this year, we invite you to join our players and staff in commemorating the advancements we have led in this great game and in the business of football. While we encourage you to read our full history and view our history video, we wanted to personally include some of our organization’s history below.

Sincerely,

DeMaurice Smith

Executive Director, NFLPA

Eric Winston

President, NFL Players Association

1950s: Immediately after our organization was formed, NFL players earned basic rights and simple improvements to their workplace, like a basic pension plan and clean socks and jocks. Bill Radovich sues and wins against the NFL on anti-trust grounds because he was blackballed for wanting to move from Detroit to California to play football closer to his sick father.

1960s: Professional football was still divided into two leagues with the upstart AFL providing real competition for the established NFL. Instead of providing an opportunity for players to shop their services between leagues, NFL owners initiated things like eliminating their pensions if players went to “another league.” The NFLPA Group Licensing Program began using an outside agency to help the organization generate additional revenues and support its growth.

1970s: The NFL and AFL merged and so did the AFLPA with the NFLPA, with players electing John Mackey as its first President. The organization is officially certified by the NLRB as a union and goes on strike in the first real fight for free agency under the mantra, “No Freedom, No Football.” John Mackey sues the NFL challenging the “Rozelle Rule” which unfairly restricted player movement.

1980s: A four-year collective bargaining agreement was signed which improved benefits like severance pay and gave the NFLPA the right to players’ salary information and the ability to regulate agents, a program other player associations followed. We also reclaimed group our group licensing rights and signed licensing deals with several companies. The fight for free agency continued in 1989 when the NFLPA decertified as a union and sued the NFL.

1990s: NFL Players finally win true free agency after more than twenty years with the White v. NFL settlement. The NFLPA is reconstituted as a union and the first modern Collective Bargaining Agreement is enacted. In 1994, the NFLPA Board of Player Representatives votes to create NFL Players, Inc. as a wholly owned marketing and licensing arm to generate more revenue for players.

2000s: Revenues in the NFL exceed $5 billion for the first time in history and the NFLPA negotiates increases in benefits and pensions for its former players in three successive collective bargaining agreements. The NFL opts out early from the 2006 collective bargaining agreement in May of 2008. NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw, who led the organization for 25 years dies in August of 2008. In March of 2009, the NFLPA Board of Player Reps elects DeMaurice Smith as its new Executive Director.

2010s: In March of 2011, the NFL followed through on its threat to lockout NFL players. The NFLPA once again decertified as a union and Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Von Miller are among the named plaintiffs who sued the NFL. The themes of that lockout were the same for NFL players: fair share of revenues, safer working conditions and increased benefits for current and former players. The NFL lockout ends after a settlement was reached in Brady v. NFL, the NFLPA reconstituted as a union and the resulting collective bargaining agreement includes unprecedented provisions on player health and safety, revenue sharing between players and owners and increased benefits to former players by nearly $1 billion. NFL revenues exceed $10 billion for the first time in history and NFL Players, Inc. exceeds $150 million.

NFLPA Statement on Matt Hasselbeck's Retirement

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:38:27 GMT

Matt Hasselbeck has epitomized leadership and service during his 18-year NFL career. As a member of the union’s Executive Committee, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of players, specifically in the area of health and safety. All players past, present and future should know that that they are better protected on and off the field because of Matt’s efforts.

The NFL Players Association has been stronger with Matt as a part of its player leadership. He was first elected to serve his locker room in Seattle as a Co-Alternate Player Rep in 2008, a duty he continued as Player Rep in Indianapolis in 2012. Since 2012, he has served as a Vice President on the Executive Committee, immersing himself in issues such as helmet safety and improvement of concussion care for athletes. He is also an active participant in the NFLPA’s Mackey-White Committee, which focuses on the overall health and well-being of players.

The NFLPA is forever indebted to him for his service and congratulates him on an outstanding NFL career.

-- DeMaurice Smith
NFLPA Executive Director

Matt speaks about player health and safety at the 2016 NFLPA Super Bowl Press Conference.

Behind the scenes with Matt and his family at a 2009 NFL Players Inc. photoshoot.

Matt with the rest of the NFLPA Executive Committee and Executive Director DeMaurice Smith at the 2015 Board of Directors Meetings.

Important Information to Know Before 2016 Free Agency Begins

Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:38:10 GMT

See below for important information about Free Agency from the NFL Players Association.

Club Salar Cap room will be made available later today after the conclusion of the 2015 League Year.

What is the history of Free Agency in the NFL?

In 1989, Freeman McNeil of the New York Jets filed an antitrust lawsuit to challenge the NFL’s Plan B free agency, which granted teams a first right of refusal for up to 37 players per roster each season. In 1992, a jury found that the NFL was in violation of antitrust laws and struck down Plan B, awarding damages to plaintiffs.

This set the stage for a class-action lawsuit filed by Reggie White of the Philadelphia Eagles, also in 1992. The settlement of Reggie White v. NFL in 1993 provided true free agency to players and created the salary cap and salary floor. On February 1, 1993, when their contracts expired, members of the NFL’s first free-agent class had the right to negotiate with any of the NFL’s 28 clubs.

When does Free Agency begin?

The League Year, and Free Agency, begins at 4:00 p.m. EST on March 9, 2016. There are other important deadlines on March 9, 2016 to keep in mind:

The first day of the 2016 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. EST on March 9. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m. EST and 11:59:59 p.m. EST on March 9.
Prior to 4:00 p.m. EST, Clubs must exercise options for 2016 on all players who have option clauses in their 2015 contracts.
Prior to 4:00 p.m. EST, Clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
Prior to 4:00 p.m. EST, Clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2015 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.
Top-51 Begins: All Clubs must be under the 2016 salary cap prior to 4:00 p.m. EST.
All 2015 player contracts expire at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Trading period for 2016 begins at 4:00 p.m. EST after expiration of all 2015 contracts.

How is the Salary Cap calculated?

The Salary Cap is calculated by taking a percentage of all projected NFL revenues, subtracting projected benefits for the upcoming season, and dividing by 32 Clubs.

How does the 2016 Salary Cap compare to last year?

The 2016 Salary Cap ($155.27 million) is an increase of $11.99 million per team from 2015 ($143.28 million). This is the largest three-year rise in the NFL’s Salary Cap history.

Are player benefits taken out of this $155.27 million?
No. The $155.27 million Salary Cap is the cap on active player salaries. In addition, each Club will spend in excess of $39.5 million in player benefits. This includes pension, severance, workers’ compensation, insurance premiums, disability benefits, etc.

Why do Clubs have different Salary Caps?

Final Club Salary Caps combine the League-wide Salary Cap with each Club’s carryover and other adjustments from the previous League Year.

What is Carryover?

Under the CBA, each Club has the option to carry over unused cap space from the prior League Year. This mechanism allows Clubs greater flexibility to negotiate player contracts without having “Cap casualties.”

What are Adjustments?

Each Club must reconcile its books at the end of the League Year, which may result in a Club owing money or receiving credits for the previous year. This can include signing bonuses being forfeited back to the Club and truing up of the Club’s books on incentives (e.g., an incentive marked likely to be earned and therefore counted toward the Salary Cap was actually unearned, or an unlikely incentive to be earned that was not included in calculations was earned).

What impact has the 2011 CBA had on Franchise and Transition Tags?

Prior to 2011, tag values were calculated on the top-five Salary Cap numbers for that position in the previous League Year. The 2011 CBA uses a five-year average of those numbers but includes the rising Salary Cap in the equation as well. This tethering ensures tag values will continue to grow as the cap rises, and that players will increasingly be able to use them to their advantage while negotiating long-term deals.

What are team minimum cash spends?

Under the current CBA, Clubs have minimum cash spending requirements. For the years 2013-2016, individual Clubs are required to spend an average of 89% of the Salary Cap over the four-year period. League-wide, all Clubs combined must spend an average of 95% of the Salary Cap over the four-year period.

This creates a cash-spend floor, forcing historically low-spending Clubs to offer overall competitive compensation for players.

Two Clubs, the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, are shy of the 89% requirement as of the end of the 2015 League Year. These teams are at 85% and 87%, respectively.

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2016 NFLPA CrossFit Program Underway

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:53:44 GMT

CrossFit athletes and NFL players now have more in common than impressive bench press results.

Thanks to a program run by the NFL Players Association’s Player Affairs and Development Department, 10 active and former players are learning the ins and outs of the business of CrossFit:

Carlos Bradley (Former Player)
Carl Bradford (Linebacker, Green Bay Packers)
Justin Forsett (Running Back, Baltimore Ravens) and wife Angie Forsett
William Henderson (Former Player)
Vonta Leach (Former Player)
Tim Masthay (Punter & Co-Alternate Player Rep, Green Bay Packers)
Earl Mitchell (Defensive Tackle, Miami Dolphins)
Logan Paulsen (Tight End, Washington Redskins)
Tim Semisch (Tight End, San Diego Chargers)
Stan White (Former Player)

“We have a lot of players transition into life after football without being sure what it is they want to do,” said Leslie Satchell, NFLPA Senior Manager of Player Affairs and Development. “We work with the good people at CrossFit to help players obtain their Level 1 Certification, which opens doors to being coaches and trainers. We also want to expose players to the business side of CrossFit to help open their eyes to entrepreneurial opportunities available.”

The NFLPA notified players about the off-season opportunity through e-mails and social media in the winter.

“My curiosity has been piqued in recent years about CrossFit,” Masthay said. “I’d had limited exposure to it, so when I saw the union put this event together, I said, ‘Hey I’d love to go to D.C. and learn more about CrossFit, both the training side and the business side.’”

CrossFit is self-described as a strength and conditioning program that implements constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement. The three-day NFLPA-run workshop in Washington, D.C. offers something for everyone, whether a player is unfamiliar with CrossFit or he is already well into his career.

The program started by taking participants to different CrossFit facilities in the area – CrossFit Petworth, HumbleBeast CrossFit and Trident CrossFit. At the Boxes, players were able to hear directly from owners about what works best for their business. On Day 2, players will dive further into requirements for Level 1 Certification, including foundations technique, nutrition. They will also master movements such as the Push Jerk, Deadlift and Medicine-Ball Clean before taking the exam at the end of Day 3.

Bradley, a former NFL linebacker, is already a personal trainer and director of a CrossFit box in Philadelphia. While he already has his Level 1 Certification, he said he came to the program to get exposed to different ideas and methods.

“I wanted to see what was happening at other Boxes and pick up new ideas to keep my Box growing,” Bradley said. “Touring the different Boxes was a great experience and helped me get those perspectives I was looking for.”

At the end of Day One, participants gathered at NFLPA headquarters for an intimate panel discussion. Leading the discussion was CrossFit Flowmaster Chuck Carswell who works directly on Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses. On the panel was former player Andy Hendel, owner and head coach at Reebok CrossFit Charlotte Uptown; John Chick, founder and head coach at JC CrossFit and Marcus Taylor, co-owner and head strength & conditioning coach at CrossFit Petworth.

Chick, who is now in the CFL after stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars, attended the NFLPA’s CrossFit program in 2015.

“I was brand-new to CrossFit last year, but after this experience and visiting the Boxes, I fell in love with it,” Chick said. “As long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be in the fitness even after football, but I didn’t want to just open a gym where my buddies would come hang out. I wanted to do the kind of athletic, competitive activity that I’ve been doing my whole life.”

“As soon as I left here last year, I joined a box at home and continued to fall in love with CrossFit,” Chick continued. “I’ve been putting a business plan together over the last year. You can’t do enough preparation in that realm.”

Chick joined up with an existing gym in Regina in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and brought CrossFit to the facility. He said it’s been hard work, but that he really enjoys merging concepts and getting individuals away from traditional cardio machines and into the team atmosphere.

Hendel, on the other hand, opened only the second CrossFit gym in the state of North Carolina back in 2006. Taylor opened CrossFit Petworth within the last two years but in a very competitive marketplace. With such varied experience, player participants were able to get a wide range of advice when asking about starting a business.

“This is a great way to diversify my fitness knowledge,” Paulsen said. “The program is a great resource, and I’m enjoying the opportunity to hear about not only the fitness side of it, but the business side as well.”

The players drilled the panelists for the full two hour allotment, getting into specific areas such as marketing, equipment, demographics, class offerings, insurance, financing, staffing and more.

“If you believe in what you’re doing, you will pass that along,” Hendel said. “There is so much more to CrossFit than lifting barbells and swinging on monkey bars. It’s amazing to see what you can help people achieve.”

For more information on educational opportunities offered by the NFLPA, visit https://www.nflpa.com/active-players/playerdevelopment/education.

Notebooks out at #NFLPAPlayerDev @crossfit panel discussion at #NFLPA HQ. 📓🖊 Great questions from player participants about financing, marketing and other vital aspects of owning a #CrossFit Box 🏋🏅💪 (pictured: @packers Tim Masthay, @redskins Logan Paulsen, @chargers Tim Semisch, former players Vonta Leach & Carlos Bradley)

A photo posted by NFL Players Association (@nflpa) on Mar 7, 2016 at 3:49pm PST

Matt Light Foundation Hosts Event for Boston Marathon Fundraisers

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 21:21:03 GMT

Team “Speed of Light” Hosts Marathon Kick-Off Party

The Light Foundation hosts star-studded event at Harpoon Brewery to celebrate the commitment and fundraising efforts of their runners for the 120^thBoston Marathon

WHO: Former New England Patriot and Founder of The Light Foundation, Matt Light is hosting a Boston Marathon kick-off party at Harpoon Brewery. The event features special guest, Dave McGillivray, The B.A.A Boston Marathon Race Director; Peter King, Sports Illustrated Writer & NBC Football Analyst; and Mike Reiss, ESPN Boston Reporter. They will introduce the team “Speed of Light” runners, discuss the Boston Marathon, marathon training regiments and the commitment made to run the Boston Marathon; and there will be some Patriots talk about the upcoming NFL Draft, and what it takes to build a championship team.

WHAT: The Light Foundation has been granted three Boston Marathon running bibs through the John Hancock Nonprofit Program to support its fundraising efforts. In honor of this milestone and the committed runners, called team “Speed of Light” the Foundation is hosting a marathon kick-off party. Tickets are $50 for general admission or $100 for VIP (limited number available). Admission includes an open bar of Harpoon Brewery’s finest beer selections, and bites provided by Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. VIP tickets also include reserved seating and a special Light Foundation gift.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 9, 2016.

6:30p.m. - 10:00p.m.

· Media to check-in at guest registration starting at 6:15p.m.

· Media availability with Matt Light and special guests: 6:30p.m.-7:15p.m.

· Cameras may stay until 8:30p.m. for broll and candid images

WHERE: Harpoon Brewery’s Beer Hall

306 Northern Ave

Boston, MA 02210

SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: @LightFoundation

Instagram: @LightFoundation

#LFSPEEDOFLIGHT

Media Contact:
Goodwin Group PR
Margrette Mondillo, Margrette@goodwinpr.com
Josh Sarnowitz, Josh@goodwinpr.com, 508-404-1745

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