INDIANAPOLIS - Four youth and high school football programs from across Indiana will receive a Jim Irsay Equipment Grant Friday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium from the Colts and Indianapolis-based USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the Colts and the NFL. The grants total $10,000 and are awarded based on merit and need.
The four organizations receiving grants during tomorrow's game against the Green Bay Packers will be recognized pre-game on the field as part of the Colts' celebration of USA Football Month:
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In addition, 17 other Indiana youth and high school programs have received more than $26,000 in USA Football equipment grants, made possible by the Colts and the NFL Youth Football Fund. USA Football and the NFL's 32 teams award $1 million in grants annually to youth and high school football programs based on merit and need.
USA Football field stencils and banners in the end-zone are other elements that will be present at Friday's game celebrating USA Football Month. In addition, a member of the USA Under-15 team which will be an honorary coin toss captain and 50 youth football players will line up on the field to welcome the Colts players as they're introduced.
"We are pleased to join our neighbor USA Football to celebrate the beginning of another season for young players and their families throughout Colts country and are proud to help further strengthen deserving football programs with equipment grants," said Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay. "Through USA Football Month, the Colts are proud to show our continued dedication to youth and high school football, recognizing its important role in our communities."
"Football combines fun and excitement with timeless values like discipline, teamwork and responsibility for our kids while also advancing physical fitness," said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. "We are proud to partner with the Colts and contribute to the team's longstanding commitment to grassroots football throughout Indiana."
Approximately 3 million children age 6-14 play organized football in the United States, placing the game among the country's most popular youth sports. More than 400,000 American adults volunteer their time to teach and coach youth football each year.
