Pats Host Safety Clinic To Teach Moms Dangers Of Concussions
FOXBORO (CBS) --- Close to three hundred moms from Maine to Rhode Island made the trip to Gillette Stadium Thursday night.
They all have one thing in common: they have a child (or children) who play youth football. The New England Patriots hosted the women for their free "Moms Football Safety Clinic," part of a larger NFL effort to support the "Heads Up Football" program.
The goal is to create a generation of young players – and their parents – who know how to protect themselves on the field. Of paramount concern: concussions.
"I just want to make sure I can educate myself so I can go back and educate him a little bit on safety," explained Lisa Russ of Mendon, speaking about her 8-year-old football player son.
"You are the decision makers who need to have the right information," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told the women, who also heard from a panel of NFL wives and moms about ways to approach their kids' coaches with safety concerns.
The highlight of the evening was a tackling clinic put on by current Pats themselves. They ran the moms through several drills, much like those their sons and daughters might practice in youth football.
Wide receiver Matthew Slater was one of the players helping out.
"Hopefully we can see our youth enjoy this game but do it the right way," Slater said.