Moms are learning about Heads Up Football

And they like what they are hearing.

Last fall, the NFL, Chicago Bears and USA Football held a Moms Safety Clinic in the Chicagoland area. More than 200 women listened to football and medical experts while learning the basic fundamentals of Heads Up Tackling. It was a fantastic event that will be replicated by other NFL teams this year.

Two moms at the event, Heather Pagh and Kimberly Schuetz of the Lake Zurich Flames, had the great idea to bring a similar event to the moms in their league, the North West Youth Football League (NWYFL). What started with a few phone calls and brainstorming sessions culminated last Friday with moms in the northwest suburbs of Chicago learning about the sport feeling more comfortable with their kids playing football.

“I wanted the moms in our league to have the same knowledge Kimberly and I had the opportunity to gain,” Pagh said. “Our sons were first-year tackle players, and so we wanted to know what we had in store for us in the future. I love the Chicago Bears, the NFL and football in general, but I thought I knew it all and was surprised to find out that I didn’t. Much of what I learned at Halas Hall reinforced what I had heard and gave me the additional knowledge to ensure my son was smart at home, on the practice field and especially on the playing field. We wanted the same for all of our local moms and all of our players. If we start with the youth programs, then by the time they are playing in high school and college, these players will be playing safer football.”

• Local Riddell representative Gary Paulson discussing equipment fitting.
• Kate Feo of Go Hardball sharing her knowledge in hydration and conditioning.
• Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth, a Heads Up Football Advisory Committee member and head neuropsychologist for the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, White Sox and Fire. A mother of two young children, Pieroth connected with the moms while talking about concussion awareness and management and the benefits of playing football.
• USA Football Heads Up Football Manager and former Chicago Bear Mike Haynes led the moms in Heads Up Tackling drills. Joining him were coaches from Lake Zurich and Palatine, ensuring that moms used the proper technique.

Moms asked questions. USA Football and league representatives answered them. It was great to see John Kamins, safety director for the Lake Zurich Flames, step in and explain the equipment fitting process. John attended a Player Safety Coach training last summer and continues to work with USA Football to make it part of the Flames' integrated safety program. 

“We are delighted to have the support of the Chicago Bears and USA Football for our local safety initiatives,” Kamins said. “Football brings a unique opportunity to teach life lessons and instill skills such as teamwork, discipline and leadership that carry well beyond the field of play. At the same time, nothing is more important than the safety of our children. The Flames and NWYFL will continue to lead the way in furthering education and communication amongst our parents, players and coaches. The USA Football Heads Up program and events like the mom's safety clinic are a critical part of that equation."

With the success of the event, the NWYFL and USA Football look forward to working together again on events like this one.