Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
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2277 Highway 36 West, Suite 200 Roseville, MN 55113-3830
Phone: 612-378-2742
Toll Free: 1-800-669-6442
Fax: 612-378-2789
E-Mail:info@braininjurymn.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Press Release

MEDIA BRIEFING
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
34 13th Avenue, Northeast
Suite B001
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Pat Marciniak
Public Awareness Director

HALL OF FAME RANDALL McDANIEL TO TEAM UP WITH BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA TO EDUCATE YOUTH ON BRAIN INJURIES; HOW TO “PLAY HARD BUT PLAY SAFE” AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP

(MINNEAPOLIS - June 21, 2010) – Sports related concussions occur in over 50,000 high school athletes each year, accounting for 20 percent of all brain injuries. According to David King, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, "As an advocacy organization, our Association wants to ensure that our young athletes are educated and protected as much as possible when it comes to sports related concussions – which is a brain injury."

Randall McDaniel, former Minnesota Viking, will be teaming up with the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota to help raise brain injury awareness and change the "old-school attitudes about brain injuries in sports. We must educate young athletes, coaches and parents," says McDaniel, "to recognize the warning signs of brain injuries and ultimately find ways to prevent them. I want to educate young athletes to learn to play hard – but play smart. We all must realize there is nothing more important than the safety of your brain as a brain injury can change your life forever."

Who:

  • Randall McDaniel, former Minnesota Viking offensive guard and 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Jeff Robinson, Pro Scout, Minnesota Vikings
  • David King, Executive Director, Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
  • Pete Klinkhammer, Associate Director of Services, Brain Injury Association of Minnesota

What:

  • Announce partnership between the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota and Randall McDaniel – McDaniel will discuss his involvement with the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota to educate youth about brain injuries and how to "Play Hard, Play Safe"
  • Representatives from the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota will discuss the importance of sports safety, concussion awareness and prevention
  • Announce Randall McDaniel as the Honorary Ambassador of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota's 9th Annual Walk for Thought on September 25, 2010 at Como Park

When:

  • Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. (if there is rain, the presentation will take place inside the school gymnasium)

Where:

  • Minnesota Vikings Youth Camp
    Cooper High School Stadium
    8230 47th Avenue North
    New Hope, MN 55428

Following the Media Briefing and Presentation there will be time for either additional questions or short 1:1 interviews with Randall McDaniel or other speakers.

Please contact Pat Marciniak, Public Awareness Director at the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota for any interviews with Randall McDaniel after the press conference at 612-877-7900.

For more information about the Walk for Thought, please click here.

About Randall McDaniel
McDaniel has been regarded as one of the NFL's finest offensive lineman during his 14 year career in which he was a fixture at left guard and named to an NFL-record of 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-2000). Noted for his unbelievable ability to overpower any opponent with quickness and power McDaniel spent his first 12 seasons (1988-1999) with the Minnesota Vikings and last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000-2001). His awards are numerous and include: the Minnesota Vikings 40th Anniversary "All Time" Team in 1999; induction into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor in 2006; "Eleven Who Care" Community Service Award in 2008, and in 2009 McDaniel was enshrined into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Today he works with youth as a Special Education Basic Skills Instructor in the Westonka (MN) School District and dedicates his life to numerous community activities.

About the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
Celebrating 25 years of service, the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the 100,000 Minnesotans (12,000 children and young adults), who live with a disability due to brain injury, their loved ones and the professionals who work with them. The Brain Injury Association of Minnesota has programs and services designed to enhance the quality of life and bring the promise of a better tomorrow for all persons affected by brain injury. For more information, please call 800-669-6442.

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2277 Highway 36 West, Suite 200 | Roseville, MN 55113-3830 | Phone: 612-378-2742 or 800-669-6442