NFL brings safe football initiative to Canada
The NFL is branching north into Canada as part of an expanded initiative to spread safe football practices.
The league announced Wednesday that, for 10 consecutive weeks starting this week, it will recognize a different Canadian high school player based on submissions received through Hudl, a football-centric video and performance platform.
Canada thus joins the NFL'S “Way to Play” initiative, in which the league already has been reaching out to American youngsters to help “highlight proper playing technique to protect players from unnecessary risk, and foster culture change across all levels of the sport.”
The program expands now to include flag football in America, too.
Each week's Canadian recipient of the NFL Way to Play Award will be voted on by a football development advisory committee composed of Canadian football leaders and experts, as chosen jointly by the league's promotional arm north of the border, NFL Canada, and NFL Football Operations.
EX-NFL and EX-CFL player Davis Sanchez, a TSN analyst, is among seven committee members. Each of the 10 Canadian high school players recognized will receive a $1,500 equipment grant for their team. Weekly winners will be announced Sunday evenings on CTV immediately following the marquee late afternoon game, shortly before Sunday Night Football begins on CTV2 and TSN.
“Expanding the Way to Play Award to NFL Flag and Canada underscores that football is for all, and the game is even more fun when using the proper techniques that protect players and promote football development,” the NFL'S executive VP of football operations, Troy Vincent, said in a statement.
“Through the award, football fans and players from around the world can see real-time examples of excellent football fundamentals and skill development.”