Cleveland Browns play host to Adapted Football League Skills Session
It is a dream for many young people to play sports and for some to play with professional team members of the NFL. On Saturday, June 2, 2018 through the efforts of the Cleveland Browns Foundation and the Achievement Centers for Children hundreds of children of all ages got the chance for that dream to come true.
The event was the kickoff of the Adapted Football League Skills Session that was held at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, Ohio. Cleveland Browns players that included DL Caleb Brantley, DL Trevon Coley, OL Rod Johnson, DB Mike Jordan, LB Joe Schobert along with Cleveland Browns Alumni, RB Cleo Miller, RB Greg Pruitt, LB Frank Stams and S. Felix Wright combined with volunteer personnel.
The event was part of the Browns Give Back Program as well as the Cleveland Browns Foundation’s dedication to education and youth development that allowed Cleveland Browns players a chance to interact with young athletes and their families as well as sharpen their football abilities. Numerous drill challenges were laid out across the field as groups of youth made their way from station to station to test their abilities at passing, catching, kicking and running.
Established in 2011, the Cleveland Browns Adapted Football League helps provide children with various disabilities the opportunity to participate in an organized, competitive and developmental sport. This program is the first of its kind in Ohio and it allows school age children and young adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities the opportunity to develop specific skills needed to play competitive football. The main focus of the program is to focus on skill development, socialization and physical activity with a strong dose of praise thrown in. The result is a foundation for success whose building blocks help prepare the participants for achievement and growth.
Part of the huge Browns Give Back Program it is a continuation of the #give10 initiative that is part of the First and Ten volunteering campaign that carries through the off season. Launched in June of 2014 First and Ten challenges fans to sign up on the Cleveland Browns Web Site and fulfill the promise of ten hours of community volunteering over the course of the year. Once their commitment has been fulfilled they are invited back to share their experiences with others on the site. For more information, visit ClevelandBrowns.com/brownsgiveback.
About Achievement Centers for Children:
Achievement Centers for Children enables and empowers children with disabilities and their families to grow, learn, play and prepare for lifelong achievement in society. Children at the Achievement Centers may have a wide range of disabilities including physical, neurological, sensory, cognitive or a combination of those conditions. It serves families from all income levels, and its innovative programs and services focus on the key areas of family support, education and autism, therapies and recreation, camp and sports.