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Local Coaches Train in Safety Ahead of Football Season

Weeks before football training drills begin trainers are driving home one message–"education, education, education."

That is the goal behind "Heads Up Football," a safety clinic coaches from all over North Texas attended Saturday in Fort Worth.

"It really helps; it's very informative," said Willie Pyle, USA Football Master Trainer.

The program focuses on a range of topics, from recognizing the signs of a concussion to dealing with the heat. Coaches also stress the importance of using measuring tapes to get a proper fit for equipment for each player.

"It's slowly coming around because it's so outdated that some teams are outdated and it's kind of expensive to catch up right away," said Clifton Kyles, a youth football coach in Oak Cliff.

For Kyles, guidelines taught through the program are bringing safety in youth football leagues up to speed. An NBC 5 investigation last year revealed at least eight local schools still used helmets rated "marginal" in a safety study. The investigation even prompted one district to replace 100 helmets.

"We've had a tragedy with concussion in the past and we are committed to overcoming our past and moving forward," said Kristine Skocpol-saleh, Hamilton County Youth Football Commissioner.

Watch the video below for details on NBC 5's investigation into helmet safety:

The Fort Worth Independent School District has pulled and is replacing football helmets after an NBC 5 Investigation raised questions about the safety of older helmets still being used at schools in North Texas.
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