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The NFL High School Player  Development program presented  by the National Guard achieved  record-setting participation  in 2012 and concluded  the year with its largest  National 7-on-7  Tournament ever.

However you measure it, the 2012 NFL High School Player Development program presented by the National Guard was a resounding success.            

The HSPD camps experienced dramatic growth in both the number of camps and the number of athletes who participated. Camps combined football skills instruction with character development activities, primarily in underserved communities. Athletes received four days of football training through offensive and defensive drills, position instruction, and 7-on-7 competition. They also participated in character-building sessions, conducted by the coaches who organized the camps and representatives of the National Guard, where they learned how to be successful individuals in the community, in the classroom, and at home.

The numbers reflect approximately 25% growth in the camps this year. “Our camps were a great success in 2012,” said Jerry Horowitz, the NFL’s Director of HSPD. “We had over 200 camps reaching nearly 40,000 participants this year in all 32 NFL markets and 43 states plus Puerto Rico. We are looking forward to getting HSPD in all 50 states next year.”

While the camps are the cornerstone of the HSPD program, the National 7-on-7 Tournament is its most high-profile event. Like the camps, this year’s tournament was easily the most successful in the nine years it has been conducted. For the first time ever, HSPD hosted 7-on-7 teams representing all 32 NFL teams in the event.

Competition in the National 7-on-7 Tournament began at the regional level in the home cities of all 32 NFL franchises. Teams of 12 players and two coaches vied for the right to advance to Indianapolis to represent their NFL team in the national competition. Many teams consisted of a group of “all-star” players who had excelled at 7-on-7 in the HSPD camps. Other teams represented their high school, as was the case with the team representing the three-time defending national champion Miami Dolphins – perennial high school powerhouse Booker T. Washington. With the increased participation and elevated stature of the National 7-on-7 Tournament over the years, the regional competitions annually attract some of the most skilled high school athletes in America including many Division I prospects.

As any of the participating student athletes would likely attest, earning a place in the National Tournament is a reward in itself. The event, conducted in July and hosted by the Colts organization in Indianapolis, featured four days and three nights of spirited competition and special events for players and coaches – all organized in a first-class manner by the HSPD staff. This year, one highlight was the tour of Lucas Oil Stadium and the NCAA Hall of Champions on Friday evening.

Consistent with all HSPD events, character development was a theme of the off-the-field activities. They included, for the first time, an extensive Leadership Program for linemen that featured community service and competitive activities on the leadership reaction course at Camp Atterbury conducted by the National Guard. “We all know these kids have football skills, but what skills are going to help them in their life once their football careers are over?” said Horowitz. “That’s the emphasis of this program.”

Competition in 7-on-7 began with pool play, where each team played seven games over two days. Seedings, one through four for each NFL division, were determined for the single-elimination tournament that followed. Teams representing the Dolphins and the Lions were undefeated in pool play, earning the #1 seeds in their respective divisions for the elimination round, where AFC and NFC brackets were

True to their form in the preliminary round, the Dolphins and Lions each advanced to the championship game with three wins in the elimination round. The Miami team, in their closest contest of the entire tournament, edged Detroit 20-17 to capture the title for a fourth consecutive year. In addition to being named champions, the Dolphins team was able to view their performance on the NFL Network, which produced and aired a special about the tournament.

Jerry Horowitz and the HSPD team were pleased with the results of the 2012 National 7-on-7 Tournament. “The competition and camaraderie were spectacular!” he said. “If you missed the NFL Network show, check out our web site, nflhspd.com, for some highlights of the event.”

Not to be overlooked was the success of the Leadership Program, which gave linemen a meaningful role in the event. “Falling right into place with our other programs, our inaugural Leadership Program proved to be a win-win for everyone involved. We will be more than doubling the number of Leadership Programs we host next year as well as including a National Lineman Challenge event in the future,” said Horowitz. With the 2012 HSPD program now in the record books, he enthusiastically summed up the outlook for 2013. “Next year will only be bigger and better for HSPD, 7-on-7, and our new Leadership Program!” p

GET INVOLVED IN 2013 If you’re a coach who wants to share your expertise with athletes in your area, you can contact the NFL HSPD program and volunteer your services as a coach at your local camp. If you can spare more time and would really like to give something back to the game, you can organize a new HSPD camp in your region. Either way, you’ll be part of the nation’s best summer camp program for deserving athletes – improving football skills and building character with the NFL HSPD program presented by the National Guard. 


For more information, visit www.NFLHSPD.com
and enter the promo code AFM1212.

ALUMNI SUPPORT

As the 2012 regional 7-on-7 competitions unfolded in all 32 NFL cities, perhaps nowhere was the buzz greater than in Charlotte. Panthers QB Cam Newton, Heisman Trophy winner and 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year, made a special appearance at the event and participated in drills and other activities with the large group of 7-on-7 competitors vying for a chance to represent Carolina in the finals.

Newton has had a special connection to the HSPD program ever since he quarterbacked the team that represented the Atlanta Falcons in the 2005 and 2006 National 7-on-7 Tournament. Along with other HSPD alumni such as Baltimore Raven Ray Rice, who participated in the 2012 HSPD camp in New York City, Newton gives back to the HSPD program by giving his time to the next generation of young athletes.

HSPD 7-on-7 quarterback Will Grier summed up the prevailing opinion of the Charlotte participants who had a chance to meet and work out with Newton. “Having him there was great,” he said. “He inspired us all.”






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