On Thursday, April 19, Atlanta Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay, K Matt Bryant, WR Kevin Cone, OL Andrew Jackson and former Falcons LB Coy Wire teamed up with members of the National Football League’s medical community to host a health and safety forum on at Wynbrooke Theme School in Stone Mountain, GA. In addition to the Falcons participants, other speakers included Dr. Kaveh Khajavi of the Georgia Spine & Neurosurgery Center; Dr. Gerald Rodts, Professor in Neurosurgery at Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center; and Kelly Sarmiento, Director of Communications for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
The group addressed safety matters facing today’s youth with more than 150 local parents and 100 youth football league commissioners and coaches from around the state. The speakers addressed their roles in promoting health and safety for all sports as well as discussed the NFL’s focus on making the sport of football safer. Following the presentation, attendees participated in a questions and answer session.
The NFL has taken a proactive approach in addressing player health and safety as well as helping advancing science to help athletes of all ages in all sports. To learn more about the League’s efforts to promote health and safety at all playing levels, visit www.NFLHealthandSafety.com.
More than 150 local parents and 100 youth football league commissioners and coaches from around the state attended the forum
Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay welcomed the group and spoke about the role the NFL is taking in promoting player health and safety
Kelly Sarmiento, Director of Communications for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, spoke about the resources available through the CDC
Dr. Kaveh Khajavi of the Georgia Spine & Neurosurgery Center spoke about identifying concussions
Dr. Gerald Rodts, Professor in Neurosurgery at Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center spoke about concussion provention
Former Atlanta Falcons Line Backer Coy Wire spoke about the importance of protecting the health and safety of our youth
Atlanta Falcons Kicker Matt Bryant spoke about his experiences with concussions
Attendees had the opportunity to ask the panel of experts questions following the presentation
Attendees had the opportunity to ask the panel of experts questions following the presentation












































Falcons Rise Up to Introduce New Physical Therapy Program at Gigi’s Playhouse
On Wednesday, April 25, Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Justin Blalock, center Joe Hawley, offensive guard Andrew Jackson, offensive guard Mike Johnson, tight end Michael Palmer and offensive guard Garrett Reynolds participated in a dance therapy class alongside the children of Gigi’s Playhouse. Players also photos and signed autographs with the children.
Gigi’s Playhouse is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free programs and therapies to families and individuals who have Down syndrome. Through muscle toning exercises, physical, occupational and speech therapies, family support, literacy programs and social events, Gigi’s Playhouse is positioned to provide early and aggressive therapies to babies born with T21 that enable them to have a normal and productive life. Gigi’s Playhouse Atlanta is one of 10 playhouses nationwide.