NFL Alumni Make the Best Youth Football Coaches

Coaching kids takes a special talent. To be able to reign in that youthful energy and enthusiasm and have your message heard by kids demonstrates an important talent and rare authority few possess.

While chaos can reign with ordinary coaches or teachers in front of a young group, when a professional athlete takes the stage, things change. Kids become very attentive and at least some seem like they are genuinely interested in what the pro athlete has to say.

What is it about these NFL professional that gives them their authority over young kids? Is it their intimidating physique? Those glittering super bowl rings? Tom Finks, President of Pro Sports Experience for Kids, attributes the phenomenon to that and much more.

“It’s really interesting to watch kids react and change when a Chicago Bear Alumni Hero takes the field,” says Finks--who’s company manages Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps. “No question--the first thing they are doing is sizing the athlete up. He may be surprisingly small and they go--’Wow, he’s built like me…or my Dad--maybe I have a chance.’ Or he may be huge and they sit silent in awe.”

But substance always rules the day and Finks is sincerely impressed with the messages former Chicago Bears deliver.

“It’s amazing. You always know the story ends with a happy ending, but you hear about the amazing obstacles--physical, financial -- or just the misfortune these guys overcome. Their stories give hope to everyone including the rest of the coaches and the participating parents, and that’s really important.

And most NFL players absolutely love taking the time to teach kids football. In addition to providing financial income, a career and friends, most Chicago Bears Alumni Heroes credit football with teaching them the most important life skill lessons.

“More than anything, football taught me how to be a team player,” say former Chicago Bear and Notre Dame standout Kris Haines. “There are so many extreme highs and extreme lows throughout a career. You are surrounded by so many high character individuals. If you listen to others, continue to work hard and stay positive, the results are amazing lessons. These lessons are something I want to pass along to others.

During the week of July 6-10 in Lincolnshire at Laura Sprague School, USA Football certified coaches and Chicago Bears Alumni Heroes will host Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps. The camps provide safe, non-contact instruction for kids ages 6-14 years old. USA Football Heads Up Football curriculum is part of the daily instruction.

If you want to be part of the Lincolnshire camp, visit www.BearsCamps.com or call 312-226-7776.