This week, I’d like to tell you about the latest adventure in Clint Johnson’s ‘life after sports’ journey. Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish football player Clint Johnson has decided to step away from the coaching world for a while and has taken a position with Athletes for CARE as their Director of Development.
Athletes for CARE (A4C) is a not-for-profit organization with a community of athletes finding support, opportunity and purpose in life after a career in sports by using their influence for social change. It was founded in 2016 by passionate people who recognize the need to advocate for the health, safety and well-being of more than 2 billion people of all ages who compete annually in sanctioned sports globally. Through that advocacy, they are improving health and wellness options for the billions of people around the world living with mental and physical illnesses including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, PTSD, CTE, TBI, substance abuse and opioid dependency.
Athletes for CARE has a four pillar model including community, advocacy, research and education.
Community
Through our Community, we help athletes leverage their influence to give back and build meaningful relationships. We invite you to join the Community.
Advocacy
United as one powerful voice to Advocate for and develop strategies that improve overall health, wellness and safety for the athlete in everyone.
Research
Committed to expanding Research efforts that have a direct impact on quality of life. We fund, commission and support Research that has a direct impact on improving global standards of health, safety and quality of life.
Education
Educate the public about important health and safety matters affecting our global community. Educate everyone about effective alternative treatment options.
Clint’s role as Director of Development will focus on the Save Youth Sports part of A4C’s mission. About 50% of youth sports organizations are at risk of shutting down permanently leaving nearly 20 million kids on the sidelines.
“As of right now we don’t have the funds to make it through this year due to low participation and no sponsorship. More than likely our community will not have football or softball next year for the kids in the community.” — Dwight Brewer, West Carrollton Recreation Association
We all know how tremendously valuable youth sports are in the lives of so many children. Kids who play sports perform better in school, live healthier lives, and grow up to be more successful adults. However, the rising costs of youth sports are leaving millions of kids on the sidelines.
“Youth sports changed my life. It taught me self-confidence, self-efficiency, and independence. I played adaptive sports in an able-bodied world and the impact of my relationships to my teammates was inclusive and helped me become who I am today.” — Kaitlyn Verfuerth, Team USA Paralympian
If you’d like to learn more about Athletes for CARE, and help Clint in his mission to Save Youth Sports, you can visit their website for more information!
Coming soon to my Throwback Thursday posts ... I’ve interviewed a former teammate of Pat Eiler’s, the first woman to dive competitively at Notre Dame (on the men’s team no less), and much, much more!
Cheers & GO IRISH!