Sanford Health teams with NFL Alumni to promote youth sports

Contact:
Paul Heinert
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / paul.heinert@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., June 11, 2021 — Sanford Health and NFL Alumni (NFLA) have agreed to a partnership that includes promoting youth sports and the health and wellness of young athletes as well as NFLA members taking part in future Sanford POWER football clinics.

“Sanford Health’s mission to improve the lives and well-being of the people in our community is in perfect alignment with the NFLA’s goals,” said Paul Hanson, president and CEO of Sanford Sioux Falls. “With the new multi-purpose, softball and baseball fields coming to the Sanford Sports Complex, we are creating more opportunities for all young athletes to experience the benefits of exercise and competition, and it’s wonderful to have a great organization like the NFLA support our vision.”

NFL Alumni is a nationwide group of former National Football League players, coaches and other employees whose mission is to serve, assist and inform former players and their families. The association offers a variety of medical, financial, educational, and social programs to keep members and their families healthy, productive, and connected.

NFLA is also a supporter of the concussion research in youth football that is being spearheaded by Sanford Health’s Thayne Munce, Ph.D.

“It’s because of people like Dr. Munce and organizations like Sanford Health that we are learning how to make sports safer for our children and give them more access to first-class facilities,” said NFLA chief executive officer Beasley Reece. “The vision of the Sanford Sports Complex is the future of youth sports, and we are proud to support the work they are doing as it becomes a reality.”

The partnership also includes NFLA having office space in Sioux Falls at the Sanford Sports Complex campus.

NFLA members Kyle Richardson and Billy Davis toured the Sanford Health campus and Sanford Sports Complex last summer to learn about the advanced research taking places at Sanford as well as the accessibility world-class health care. Pro Football Hall of Fame member Rod Woodson is participating in this year’s Legends for Kids football clinic on behalf of the NFLA.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization includes 46 hospitals, 1,500 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and 10 countries. Learn more about Sanford Health’s transformative work to improve the human condition at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

About NFL Alumni

Founded in 1967 by a small group of successful retired NFL players, NFL Alumni is one of the oldest and well-respected retired player organizations in professional sports. NFLA’s mission is to inform, assist, and serve players in their post-NFL lives.  NFLA’s mission includes caring for our own, caring for children, and caring for the community. NFLA offers a variety of medical, financial, educational, and social programs to keep members and their families healthy, productive, and connected. Visit nflalumni.org.