Protecting player safety while preserving contact. Freddy Keiaho, former NFL LB and Super Bowl champ

Summary: The guest on today’s USA Football Coach and Coordinator podcast is former linebacker and 2007 Super Bowl champion with the Indianapolis Colts, Freddy Keiaho. He played five years in the NFL, with the Colts from 2006-09, and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010. In his rookie season, Keiaho helped the Colts win the 2007 Super Bowl over the Chicago Bears. Throughout his career, Keiaho recorded 243 tackles, forced two fumbles and had an interception. Keiaho came to the NFL after a stellar career at San Diego State University. Prior to San Diego State, Keiaho graduated and played at Buena High School in Ventura, California. He and his family came to California after moving from Keiaho’s birthplace, Suva, Fiji. Today, Keiaho lives in Carlsbad, California, with his wife Tracey and their three children. Keiaho has worked with Scott Peters at the USA Football Tip of the Spear Contact System clinic. In today’s podcast, Keiaho and host Keith Grabowski discuss the difficulty of transitioning away from football, player safety, and new techniques to protect players while preserving contact. Show Notes 1:18 The hardships of transitioning away from football 4:02 Adjusting to life after sports 8:08 Using coaching to build player’s character 11:01 Coaching techniques from his playing career 13:02 New technology helping high school coaches 14:51 Lessons and practices from Tip of the Spear 19:22 Being smart with football techniques and safety 22:55 Alternatives to schools changing youth football