OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Sept. 29, 2013) – Upon the release of the 2013 NFL Health and Safety Report, the Pioneers have endorsed concussion safety awareness by showing their support of the prevention and treatment of concussions for young student athletes. Along with other teams in the National Football League, the Pioneers are crucial players in the Heads Up Football Program.
Heads Up Football looks at proper tackling, concussion management, and equipment fitting. It also includes a nationally accredited coaching education program. The Pioneers are involved with the Protection Tour, a one-day free clinic that teaches Heads Up Football curriculum, which will be held in Oklahoma City in November.
Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fully supports the high involvement of the NFL on this issue. “The culture of youth football is changing in a positive direction – as it must. There is greater awareness of the risks of brain injuries and greater attention to reducing those risks by teaching safer and smarter play. I applaud Commissioner Goodell, the NFL and USA Football for accelerating this effort, and I commend the coaches involved in teaching Heads Up Football to players across the country.”
In addition, the Pioneers will be following the American Academy of Neurology’s concussion guidelines
updates, made in March 2013. The AAN recommends that athletes suspected to have a concussion be immediately removed from play and not return until they are evaluated by a health care professional trained in concussions.
According to the Health and Safety Report, the NFL provides unrestricted grants to medical institutions in order to accelerate health and safety research. Nick Weinschreider, Co-Owner of the Pioneers, states that this dedication to health and safety is why he wanted to break into sports, and the NFL in particular. “The NFL provides a great avenue through which to reach huge issues like this. They have a chance to set a standard for other teams out there, through college, high school, and youth alike.” Weinschreider is looking forward to involvement in the Heads Up program.
Adolpho Birch, the NFL’s Senior Vice President for Labor Policy and Government Affairs, tends to agree. “The NFL is proud to support…ongoing efforts to protect young athletes and look forward to further opportunities as we continue our work to promote youth sports safety,” he says. The Pioneers have agreed with Birch, and have pushed forward with leading by example and promoting concussion safety awareness.
The Oklahoma City Pioneers is a new franchise in the NFL for the 2013 season. We are based out of the Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. For more information, contact the Oklahoma City Pioneers PR Office located at 180 E. Brooks Street, Norman, OK 73019. Or visit our website at http://sites.jmu.edu/sportspr/category/oklahoma-city-pioneers/.
To learn about other events or becoming involved with Pioneers Causes, contact Jen Wernimont, Pioneers PR Specialist, at (405) 918-5805.