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USA Football “Captain’s Packs” Allow Coaches to Reward Character

By USA Football Staff

July 23, 2008

Football builds character, confidence, and builds leadership. USA Football spoke with several NFL All-Stars, including Colts center Jeff Saturday, about what it takes to be a captain. Find out how to get your "Captain's Pack."

  • USA Football caught up with several NFL All Stars and asked what makes a great team captain.

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Being elected captain is a tremendous honor. A team captain has earned the respect of his teammates. He/she has set the standard for a team's code of conduct and work ethic. Young football players often elect a captain based on his/her athletic skill and game day achievement, and that's OK. On the football field, considerable skill and achievement aren't possible without hard work and commitment -- two behaviors that help characterize leaders...or captains. But, there are also other "Captain's characteristics" which include: responsibility, honesty, integrity, and perseverance.

Any young player - regardless of skill or statistics - can be a team captain.

USA Football's Captain's Packs give coaches the ability to reward players who exhibit "Captain's characteristics" such as:

· Supporting or encouraging teammates

· Perfect attendance at team practices

· Helping to put away practice gear or carrying water

· Giving a 100% effort during practices and games

· Helping an opponent to his/her feet

· Being respectful of officials, coaches and parents

· Getting good grades or doing well in school

A Captain's Pack includes Captain's patches - similar to the patches worn by NFL captains - and 200 helmet decals for coaches to award to players when they exhibit a "Captain's characteristic." The 25 Captain's pledges are for team members to sign to encourage a winning attitude.

Football is more than a game. It's an experience that builds character, confidence, and the leaders of tomorrow. With a USA Football Captain's Pack a coach can reward honorable behaviors, and create a positive and memorable youth football experience.

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