Cleveland Browns Choose Mentor Youth Football for Concussion Program

With the help of the NFL and Cleveland Browns, the Mentor Youth Football Organization is addressing concussions with a new safety program.

USA Football asked each NFL team to choose youth organizations to serve as pilots for Heads Up Concussion initiative. The Browns chose Mentor's organization as one of two Northeast Ohio pilot teams, and summer practice is giving the team an opportunity to implement a new, safety conscious way of hitting.

"Their belief is to attack the youth program to teach them this Heads Up football technique," Mentor Youth President Dan Baranski said. "Basically, it's a different form of tackling that helps you keep your head up."

That's important, as many concussions arise from players leading with the crown of their helmet. USA Football and the NFL pay for the training of coaches, who disseminated the information at a recent parent's clinic regarding the program. The program will be evaluated by USA Football and the NFL at the end of the season.

Parents like Dan and Gina Holleran, who have two sons in Mentor's program, appreciate the organization's attempt to limit concussions from the game.

"That danger has always been there, you've just got to teach your kids the right way to play," Dan Holleran said.

"This is our first time with the program and I really appreciate these coaches," Gina added. "(After a practice last week) they wouldn't even let the kids leave until the equipment fit them correctly and their helmets weren't loose.

"These guys really seem to care."