Chiefs, Battle Partner with JPD Program

Jul 07, 2008, 7:20:04 AM

Kansas City Chiefs RB Jackie Battle knows how to make the best of an opportunity. Signed late last season by the team, he scored a touchdown on his first career carry with the Red and Gold. This off-season, Battle has set out to prove that performances like that or the school record 31 rushing touchdowns he tallied during a career at the University of Houston are no fluke. But in addition to preparing for his second season in Kansas City, Battle also found the time to spearhead the Chiefs version of Junior Player Development (JPD). A month-long instructional football camp for middle schoolers, JPD is in its fifth year as a Chiefs-sponsored program. The majority of children participating in the JPD camp are just like Battle, striving to prove to others that they have what it takes to play the game.

One night each week, Battle would show up with teammates, including T Damion McIntosh and QB Tyler Thigpen, to help encourage campers to do their best on and off the field. The Chiefs players would interact with the campers during drills; and before the end of each day, the group of campers would huddle around Battle and his teammates as they listened to real life experiences these Chiefs players had gone through during their careers. The talks centered on key life lessons, such as the value of education and hard work.

This year’s camp was held at the Hickman Mills C-1 School District Stadium adjacent to Ruskin High School. Camp participants were taught by local NFL-selected coaches and received step-by-step instruction on fundamentals and technique.

Developed to provide a template for high school football programs, as well as additional access to youth tackle football, the JPD program provides step-by-step instruction for every team position to boys between the ages of 12 and 14 in a fun and engaging environment. The program integrates on-field skills development with life skills and character development.

As they plan for future high school interscholastic activities, participants receive instruction from NFL-selected high school coaches, as well as counseling that focuses around a weekly life skill. Each life skill theme is addressed through the context of football with instructors making connections between life skills as they are applied on the field, in school, at home and in the community. In addition, through a youth coach’s development program that provides more than 60 hours of practical training, coaches learn how to properly teach all game fundamentals and how to creatively and effectively apply life skill messages.

-CHIEFS COMMUNITY CARING, JOIN OUR TEAM-