NEW ORLEANS — Thousands of children attending the NFL Experience at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center have been participating in the Play 60 Youth Football Clinics, with NFL players serving as coaches.

The players and USA Football staff members have taught the participants flag football skills and emphasized the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.

“The message that they’re trying to send to ‘Get out and stay active for 60 minutes,’ is awesome,” Houston Texans punter Donnie Jones said. “It’s a really nice event that’s put on, and I’m really glad I was able to come out here and be a part of it, be around the kids. I have two small kids of my own, and this is a great event.

“A lot of times, especially with mine, the kids like hearing it from someone else, not mom and dad. All NFL players are role models, and doing this is a great way to send the right message to kids.”

Clinics have been open to boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14 since Wednesday and will continue through Sunday. Members of the USA Football-NFL Girls Flag Football Program in New Orleans will have a special clinic and competition Friday.

“I’ve been able to do some of these events back home, and it’s just fun to reach out to these kids that have so much energy and are just so eager to get out, learn and play,” New Orleans Saints linebacker Chris Chamberlain said. “It’s just a great opportunity to use our platform and influence them to, hopefully, make healthy decisions nutritionally and get out and exercise 60 minutes a day. It’s just a lot of fun, and it takes you back to when you were their age.”

– Matt Florjancic, ClevelandBrowns.com Staff Writer