With the Super Bowl LIX being played in New Orleans on Feb. 9th, and a whole week of festivities along with it, there are many ways the National Football League is involving the youth.
There were days and activities planned catered to youth and young adults, such as NFL Play60 Kids Day on Feb. 5, where schools from all over New Orleans learned football and CPR drills, and HBCU day on Feb. 6, where students from HBCUs all over the country we’re invited to get the Super Bowl LIX fan experience.
Also, youth-serving organizations took the opportunity of this grand sporting event to get hands-on experience among the working professionals. One of these organizations is the Sports4free Youth Media, which brought kids from California to cover the Super Bowl events.
“It’s just amazing to see these kids in action and giving them the opportunity to be able to interview all types of cool people and all types of professionals,” said Demetrius Tate II, the founder of the organization.
He and his team of youth reporters and photographers have been interviewing celebrities and athletes, networking with professionals, and observing how media professionals do their jobs. They’re passionate about learning as much as possible so they can improve their skills said Demetrius Tate III, one of the youth reporters for the organization.
Sport4free Youth Media wasn’t the only media program that used the opportunity to involve youth with the Super Bowl LIX. The NFL Media Scholars Program by C.G. Consulting in partnership with the NFL recruited college students from universities in New Orleans to report on the festivities.
“We have been preparing for this for months and it’s finally time to welcome the two teams to the city of New Orleans. We have 17 amazing scholars here to cover the event and I couldn’t be more proud of the city of New Orleans,” said Dr. Chantelle George, CEO of C.G. Consulting.
These students aren’t the only ones getting the chance to get professional media experience during the Super Bowl. The St. Augustine band performed at the opening night ceremony on Feb. 3, but this wasn’t their only way of being involved. Students from the school had the chance to learn from professionals on Media Row, the hub for media organizations during the festivities.
“Some of these professionals that I see, they’re so comfortable on camera, and of course me, I love being on camera,” said Cayden Thibado, a St. Augustine student. “So, I like to study what they’re doing, how to make sure they’re looking comfortable on camera, and I want to be comfortable too being on camera,” he continued.
The St. Augustine band wasn’t the only student band to perform. At HBCU Day, Grambling University’s band performed, and at Play60 Kids Day, the Abrahmson Sci Academy Marching Band, also known as ‘The Beast from the East’, welcomed in the elementary kids.
“It’s a wonderful thing that we got chosen to do it because it’s the NFL, and when I heard about it I kind of second-guessed it for second,” said a drummer from the Abrahmson Marching Band. “We’re playing for the kids and they’re having a fun time and we’re having a fun time,” he continued.
Over a thousand kids came to play and learn at Play60, and cheerleaders and mascots from both Super Bowl LIX teams came out to put smiles on the kids’ faces. The purpose of Play60 is to get kids active for 60 minutes a day and to encourage a healthy lifestyle said NFL senior manager of community relations, Megan Mendoza.
“It’s pretty foundational and so, we’re out here doing football skills and drills,” she emphasized.
The NFL brought so many opportunities for young people to get the full Super Bowl experience while the festivities reign in the city of New Orleans. The Super Bowl LIX has laid its hands on the city and its youth and made a difference in the advancement of their educations, careers, and overall well-being.
“I’ve always loved the ‘into-action’ with the young folk. I love to hear what’s on their minds and they can add a wealth of information to any topic that you take. They’re good kids, we love them, we support them, happy to have them around!,” said New Orleans Sheriff, Paul Valteau.
