NFL Y.E.T.

NFL Youth Education Town: Broward County

During each Super Bowl, amidst the stuffed-packet party schedule are a number of direct service projects sponsored by the league and many of its corporate partners. On the Thursday before Super Bowl XLIV, Commissioner Roger Goddell was joined by Florida Governor Charlie Crist, along with  the mayors of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale at the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, a designated NFL Youth Education Town (Y.E.T) The day’s gift to BGCBC and Miami was an astounding $1 million dollars to share for the continued encouragement and high-level programming of the two YETs. There are currently twelve

Steve Young

throughout the country, with the goal of adding more in the future. Steve Young, Chad Pennington, and Hall of Famer Archie Manning were on hand to answer questions about the NFL’s support of such an important program.

The atmosphere was festive as the students participated in drills monitored by current and former NFL players. (Truth be told, I couldn’t tell who were the bigger kids as the players were having an incredible time.) The Dolphins’ Will Allen was joined by Mike Anderson of the Atlanta Falcons and free agent Ryan Nece among others at the day long event. Capturing the full story were YET’s Media Team – a talented group of teens who were trained in the high-tech, complete media center. Canon, USA donated over $150,000 in equipment to the 12 centers throughout the country. (View the Canon showcase here.) Rob Altman, a Marketing Manager from the NY-based company was on hand to see how well the talented students made use of the HD cameras, lenses and  HD Video equipment. [We took the very driven Michelle Harvey with us on our long day’s NFL Event the following Saturday. See her interviews.]

The players are also actively participating in the YETs throughout the year. We had a chance to chat with Chad Pennington in the parking lot at the end of the day. His 1st and 10 Foundation directly donates to causes throughout the United States, but particularly in the greater Miami-Ft. Lauderdale communities. We chatted about the kids, his career and what he hopes to establish with his foundation – a long-term impact. I must say, he came across as a special man. (I liked Chad!)

Interview with Brenda Fulmore:

Coach Brenda, as the kids call her, runs the Boys and Girl Club with the love of a mother, the concern of a

Steve Young & Brenda Fulmore

nurse, the spirituality of minister and discipline of a Marine sergeant. I saw at least 50 children cross her path and Mrs. Fulmore knew their names, ages, schools and if I pressured her, I’d bet that she knew their birthdays! After spending years working the Juvenile probation system, she realized that she could have an even greater impact on the front end – before the students get in trouble. The enrollment in the Broward County Boys & Girls Club continues to rise, serving hundreds of students after school and during the summers. I toured the site with her, taking in the media lab with absolute jealousy (I want one of those in my home!) Thanks to the donors, the game room, the tutoring center and the photo lab are all fully equipped. Thanks to the Coach Brenda’s staff, each program runs efficiently and effectively.

“The best of my day was seeing the children enjoy themselves at the clinic, laughing and taking in the day,” said Fulmore as we sat outside on bench at end of the day. I tried to leave, but I couldn’t It was just too good of a time – made me want to be a kid again.