ESPN Teams Up with USA Football to Advance Standards in High School and Youth Football

$175,000 Grant Provides Safety Education for Players, Coaches and Parents

ESPN will team up with USA Football to advance player safety on high school and youth levels through USA Football's resources and programs. The announcement, which will be made prior to ESPN's Monday Night Football telecast tonight (Monday, Oct. 27) at 8:15 p.m. ET, includes a financial commitment of $175,000 to USA Football to help establish important standards rooted in education for better, safer play nationwide to benefit young athletes.

USA Football, the sport's national governing body, educates more youth and high school football coaches combined than any organization in the United States. USA Football members reside in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

ESPN's commitment to USA Football underscores its continued support of high school and youth athletics. Through ESPN's financial assistance, more than 50 high schools and youth organizations across the country will be offered USA Football's Heads Up Football(R) program. More than 750 high schools and 5,500 youth leagues in all 50 states are registered for Heads Up Football this season. The program provides nationally-endorsed coaching education and teaching resources that benefit players, parents and coaches.

ESPN has hosted events with USA Football in Detroit and Dallas leading up to Monday Night Football telecasts this season and will host an additional event in Philadelphia prior to Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 10. Events in the featured MNF markets include high school and youth football player and parent clinics, football equipment donations to youth leagues and high schools, appearances by NFL legends, fun and free football festivals and special giveaways at youth league game sites, and more.

"We are proud to join USA Football in this collaboration, which further establishes our commitment to improving access to sport, including programs that promote athlete safety and develop great coaching for youth around the country," said ESPN, director, corporate outreach, Angela Woods. "Ensuring that players, coaches and parents can enjoy sports in safe and healthy ways is an important part of our ongoing efforts."

"The health and safety of every young football player is our No. 1 priority, and ESPN shares in that commitment through their generous financial support," USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. "Together we are advancing a better and safer game for young athletes who enjoy the fun, fitness and other rewards gained by playing this exceptional sport. We value ESPN's strong support for this initiative."

In addition to ESPN, some of the medical and sport backers of USA Football's resources and programs include:

· Amateur Athletic Union

· Md. Public Secondary Schools Ath. Assoc.

· Nat'l Interscholastic Athletic Admin. Assoc.

· American College of Sports Medicine

· Maxwell Football Club

· National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

· American Football Coaches Association

· Michigan H.S. Football Coaches Assoc.

· National Police Athletic League

· American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

· Minnesota Football Coaches Assoc.

· North Carolina Coaches Association

· Arizona Coaches Association

· National Association of Sports Officials

· Northern Va. Football Coaches Assoc.

· Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

· National Athletic Trainers Association

· Pac-12 Conference

· Big 12 Conference

· NATA Research & Ed. Foundation

· Pop Warner Little Scholars

· Big Ten Conference

· National Fed. of State High School Assoc.

· Pro Football Athletic Trainers Society

· Boys and Girls Clubs of America

· National Football League

· Southeastern Conference (SEC)

· Indiana Football Coaches Association

· NFL Alumni Association

· Sport Safety International

· Korey Stringer Institute at the U. of Conn.

· NFL Head, Neck & Spine Committee

· Sports & Fitness Industry Association

About USA Football: Indianapolis-based USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is the sport's national governing body, leading the game's development for youth, high school and other amateur players. The independent nonprofit partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and sport to establish important standards rooted in education. USA Football advances coaching education and player skill development for safer play and a positive football experience.

About ESPN Corporate Outreach:

ESPN has been entertaining sports fans for 35 years and strives to be a responsible corporate citizen. The corporate citizenship program of ESPN encompasses our multi-faceted community initiatives, including employee volunteerism, charitable giving and cause marketing, while also utilizing our diverse media assets. ESPN strives to have a positive impact on our employees, fans and communities worldwide.