NFL News

“Da Coach” extended his support while hosting celebratory events in Central Florida

During his stay at his award- winning resort, Runaway Beach Club, in Central Florida on Dec. 10, Super Bowl- winning Coach Mike Ditka offered encouragement and support to young athletes competing at the 2008 Under Armour American Youth Football (AYF) National Championship Games.

American Youth Football, Inc., an international youth football organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth through their association with adult leaders in the sport of American football, hosted its annual week-long National Championship Games at Austin Tindall Park beginning Dec. 6. This year, the tournament included more than 6,000 young athletes between the ages of 5-16.

Coach Ditka, former NFL Coach of the 1985 Super Bowl champs the Chicago Bears, spent the afternoon interacting with this year’s participants. Ditka emphasized the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship in a competitive setting while zealously engaging in activities both on and off the field.

“It’s important to remind these young athletes that it’s not always about winning. It’s about remaining focused on your goals and doing your best to achieve them,” said Ditka.

Later that evening, “Da Coach” personally hosted two additional events celebrating the year’s successes at his award-winning Runaway Beach Club Resort. Ditka welcomed AYF coaches and players to his family-friendly resort for a casual barbeque, giving them the opportunity to set aside their competitive edge and celebrate their achievements together in good fun.

Mike Ditka’s Runaway Beach Club Resort is the recipient of Orbitz’s “Best in Family Stay 2008″ Award for the Walt Disney World area. It is located in the heart of the Orlando attractions area and features state-of-the-art amenities for both adults and children alike.

After the barbeque, Ditka also hosted the “AYF Hall of Fame Awards” ceremony. As an NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer, the coach realizes the importance of giving credit where credit is due. This special evening honored individuals who have donated more than 20 years of their time to coaching youth football across the nation.

During the ceremony, Joe Galat, President of AYF and former NFL coach, joined Coach Ditka to address the coaches who have consistently extended a helping hand to the organization and presented awards to this year’s Hall of Fame recipients.

Runaway Beach Club

Runaway Beach Club Resort is the quintessential example of a family- friendly atmosphere combined with a unique Orlando vacation experience. Featuring spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom villas and situated on 16 acres of enchanting tropical landscaping, Mike Ditka’s Runaway Beach Club has something for everyone. Two Florida-themed pools present the perfect complement to your comfort and relaxation. The South Beach themed pool is adult oriented with a connecting sundeck to enjoy the Florida sun. The Key West themed pool is more flamboyant and colorful, combining zero depth entry safety with kid friendly water features to create a pool experience unlike any other for the entire family. Other amenities include wireless broadband Internet access, an indoor basketball court, a 24-hour professional fitness center, and a whirlpool spa. The property also offers complimentary shuttle service to the Walt Disney World theme parks and is managed by international hospitality group, Geneva Hospitality.

For more information on Mike Ditka’s Runaway Beach Club Resort, visit www.mikeditkaresorts.com or call 888-512-2200.

American Youth Football

AYF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and National Youth Partner of the National Football League. AYF provides support services, scholarships, grants, “Giving Back” programs and tournaments to over 500,000 youth members. Representing more than 1,800 local associations with participants in more than 2,000 cities, AYF is the only youth football program with members in all 50 states and several countries worldwide. AYF is committed to Giving Back and since its inception in 1996, has successfully donated over $14 million dollars in grants and athletic products to communities that support youth football. AYF offers all-inclusive football and cheer divisions to every team and league, enabling every child a place and an opportunity to play.

For more information visit www.americanyouthfootball.com.

Connor “Big Red” Mayes to play side by side with Brother Alex

Connor “Big Red” Mayes, a 7th grader at Van Alstyne Middle School will play in the First Football University Youth All-American Bowl. The game will be played January 4 in San Antonio at the Alamodome. Football University is organized by Sportslink, creators of the U.S. All Army All-American Bowl, a game for the nation’s best prep players which takes place on Jan 3, also in the Alamodome.

Connor “Big Red” is a dominant offensive tackle and a tremendous attacking defensive lineman. The “Big Red” nickname comes from his fiery red hair and was given to him by his teammates and his opponents of the McKinney Sports Connection Football League. Connor’s size and strength makes him a standout in both positions. He’ll likely play offensive guard in the bowl game, next to his brother, Alex Mayes, who was selected for top lineman.

“With Connor and Alex playing on the same left side they’ll be the quarterback’s best friends. Both are terrific lineman with the size to dominate. Connor, 12, is 6′0 and 220lbs and Alex, 14, is 6′5 and 230lbs, qualities that can’t be coached,” said their father, Allen Mayes. “For their size, both boys have quick feet and move well. Each has a different game. Connor is a very physical, passionate player. Alex is physical too but excels at technique,” Mayes added.

Connor was nominated for 7th grade game by the Football University’s Camp, which had a weight limit. He was promoted to play on the 8th grade West team. The boys along with 60 other players from around the country will report to San Antonio on Dec 30, 2008.

Youth All-American Bowl Week will showcase the top 60 7th graders and the top 60 8th graders. The week will consist of practices, a skills competition, break-out sessions with Hall of Famers, current and former NFL stars, and celebrities such as legendary high school football coach Herman Boone. The Youth All-Americans will have VIP access to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and will also be honored during the game on Saturday, January 3, 2009.

Selected players are profiled in SI for Kids as All-Americans.

For more information, visit:
http://www.footballuniversity.org/
http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/

Source: Allen Mayes

Prevention is Key

Joe Jurevicius, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Kellen Winslow. Unfortunately, during the past few months the list of top professional football players affected by Staphylococcus Aureus, commonly called staph, seems to read as a who’s who of the National Football League (NFL). Whether the source of these infections is healthcare facilities where athletes are undergoing surgeries, locker rooms, or turf on the playing fields, staph and its close relative Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA, have reared their ugly heads in the NFL again.

Although not a new trend, it is an alarming one as more and more athletes miss multiple games due to these infections. As the number of cases of MRSA, a type of staph infection that is resistant to many common antibiotics, has increased in the community versus hospital settings, so have contact sports-related infections. This is mostly due to how the infection is spread.

Staph and MRSA are usually spread from person-to-person through direct skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces such as towels, used bandages, hot and cold tubs, or weight-training equipment surfaces that have touched a person’s infection. MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils that are red, swollen and painful. MRSA can be life threatening when it enters the body through scrapes and scratches, potentially leading to blood and joint infections, and pneumonia. In hospital-acquired MRSA, the infection usually enters the body during a surgery or other open-wound procedure.

“All of us in the sports medicine profession know that protecting our players from infections such as staph or MRSA are priorities,” said Dean Kleinschmidt, coordinator of athletic medicine/athletic trainer for the Detroit Lions. “To do this, many of us have started very strict facility cleaning procedures and provided our players with educational materials and workshops that show them how they can also prevent it.”

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) recently posted information to its web site about staph infections and MRSA provided by NFLPA Medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer. This includes how players can lower their chances of contracting staph such as:

• Players need to have effective hygiene with equipment, which means wiping down a training bench or table.

• Make sure the trainer uses a germicidal foam and wipes down the table between players.

• Showering following whirlpool treatments.

• The single most important thing for prevention is hand-washing with soap and water, or if MRSA is known to be present, with chlorhexidene (Hibiclens).

In addition to several other measures aimed at reducing the risk of infection, cleansers with chlorhexidene gluconate (CHG) have been recommended by medical organizations to be used prior to surgeries as a bathing agent, specifically 4 percent CHG since it is more effective than iodine or plain soap. The Centers for Disease Control also recommends that hospitals require patients to shower or bathe with an antiseptic agent at least the night before the operative day.

“Cleansers with 4 percent CHG cleanse the skin, but also add a barrier for hours of protection,” said Jack Doornbos, executive director, Molnlycke Health Care, maker of Hibiclens(R) skin cleanser. “CHG has been used in hospitals and operating rooms for decades to prevent the spread of infection. But now, with MRSA and other resistant infections becoming more common in the community and sports, it’s been even more important to add protection, while not leaving a residue that affects sports performance.”

Infection risk can be even higher among amateur and recreation-level athletes. This is due to the fact that many athletes at an amateur level don’t shower immediately after activities. For them, washing with a CHG product such as Hibiclens, especially the hands and arms, before an activity can dramatically reduce the risk of infection.

Hibiclens is an antimicrobial/antiseptic cleanser that kills germs on contact and bonds with the skin to keep killing microorganisms for up to six hours without leaving a residue. The same cleanser with alcohol is available in convenient towelettes called Hibistat(R). Both are available at drug stores and pharmacies in the first aid section. For more information about Hibiclens, Hibistat or CHG, visit www.hibigeebies.com.

Source: Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC