It's Fun! It's Free! It's JPD

April 19, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release


The players, their parents and their coaches love it. It's a great way for young football players in all different age groups to learn the game of football, and develop the life skills that will give them a head start in the most important game of all. It's the Junior Player Development program, offered in NFL cities across the country, and the RiverCity Rage is proud to be a part of it here in the St. Louis area.

The program is coordinated by Mike Yarbrough, the Manager of Community Outreach and Player Development for the St. Louis Rams and Rage Administrative Assistant Kathy Koehler. And it was in high gear this past Wednesday afternoon when players from around the metro area gathered with area coaches, including Rage coaches and players, to get a good two hours of football, sportsmanship and inspiration. Parents watched from the bleachers at the Northwest Middle School in St. Louis as Rage players Terrell Washington, Jerry Brooks, Anthony Fisher and Marquis Hayes, along with coaches Sven Hack, Mark Wilson, Charles Edmunds, Jeff Hunt and NFL Arizona Cardinals tight ends coach Carl Hargrave put players through various one on one and skill type drills at two opposite ends of the field. Coach Hack was impressed with what he saw. "The season for these youngsters begins in July, but from the looks of things right now, most wish it started tomorrow. These programs are great because it teaches players from different areas to come together, work as a team, learning to trust and respect each other both on and off the field, and practice diversity. It's all about football and life skills and it's a big boost for the Rage to be involved in it."

Mike Yarbrough says the programs "primarily focus on the underserved areas of the community, and it's a challenge sometimes to get the players and their parents involved. But once they do come on board, they see the advantage of participation and embrace the opportunity." Looking out over the field as players blocked, tackled and ran, Yarbrough offered up why he is instrumental in assisting the NFL in this program. "We're using sports, football in this case, to show youngsters the positive side of growing up. There were no programs offered in the middle schools, and this one is a great start. We have one scheduled for Roosevelt Middle School in late May, and others later in the summer, closer to the regular season. The fact that the Rams and the Rage can lend a hand, and be an influence is a big treat for these kids. It's a very positive program."

After an exhausting, but fun, two hours of football, players gathered in a huge semi-circle and listened to coaches offer words of encouragement and praise. Then it was time to ‘pull the cards.' A player, maybe a coach, will pull one card from a deck of about 50, with cards divided into the categories of Smart Moves, Responsibility, Teamwork, and Sportsmanship. The card is drawn, the topic read out loud, then players and coaches take a minute or two to go over the topic, explain and understand how it exemplifies life both on and off the football field. Coach Charles Edmunds of the Rage was impressed with this aspect most of all. "There are a lot of fine athletes on this field tonight, maybe one, two, perhaps more will one day play in the NIFL or the NFL. Then again, it could be that none will make it that far. But I'll guarantee this, with programs like the JPD in place, they'll all be given a huge chance to make it where things really matter."

NOTE: The next Junior Player Development Camp Dates are May 8-17 at Roosevelt High School from 5:30-8:00 PM. Enrollment must be completed by April 20.



National Indoor Football League Stories from April 19, 2006


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