Football Clinic Starting Concussion Safety Training Early
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Player safety. It's been the topic of many conversations dealing with concussions and football.
Marcus Washington has more on the effort to better educate coaches at the youth and high school levels.
It's the game of America.
"It teaches character, loyalty, responsibility and accountability," said Donald Davis, USA Football.
Football is a sport that captures the nation's attention, but much of that attention in recent years is focused on the potential long-term health effects of players. Most recently--the reason for a settlement between the NFL and former players for $756 million.
"I really never expected to live to see the day that we would come to an agreement," said former NFL running back Kevin Turner.
Turner was diagnosed with ALS 11 years after he retired--believed to be contributed by taking repetitive hard hits sustained during his eight year professional football career.
In Baltimore, the focus is on starting safety training early, educating everyone from pee-wee to college football coaches.
"The best thing you can do to decrease the likelihood of them--number one--is to teach guys proper tackling techniques," Davis said.
Davis is a USA Football master trainer and high school football coach. The Heads Up Football Player Safety Clinic hosted by USA Football is taking safety first to coaches from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.
"What happens and where the education comes in is making certain that young people and athletes heal properly before they return to activity," said Davis.
It's just the start of keeping players safe during and after their time playing a sport loved by so many.
Davis says there is no true way to prevent concussions in the sport of football, but proper training can help limit the possibilities.
