Thursday’s health and safety news involving sports:

* AtlantaFalcons.com reported on how Falcons players are involved in offseason education programs.

At the end of the 2012 NFL season, the Falcons featured 43 players on their active roster with their undergraduate degrees. CB Asante Samuel (Central Florida), LB Mike Peterson (Florida), and RB Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State) have each enrolled in classes at their respective universities to complete undergraduate degrees, while DT Corey Peters has enrolled in a Masters’ program at Michigan State, and WR Drew Davis is preparing to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in order to persue (sic) a Masters degree. …

LB Stephen Nicholas and TE Michael Palmer have both been accepted into the NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy in Charlotte, NC. The NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy is designed to provide attendees with the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into the world of coaching. The NFL and NCAA have initiated this effort to broaden players’ perspectives about what it takes to be an effective coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

* WHO-TV in Des Moines reported that the Iowa high school athletics associations have enacted concussion programs before the state’s legislature could act.

* Indiana Public Media wrote about a concussion education bill that is moving forward in the Indiana legislature.

* WVIB-TV in Buffalo wrote about the push in the New York legislature to ban youth tackle football in the state.

* KRNV-TV in Reno reported on how Dr. Stefan Humphries, a former NFL player, is hosting a clinic for youth sports injuries.

* Sports Illustrated wrote that the NHL should adopt some of the NFL’s concussion policies.

* KNXV-TV in Phoenix reported on how the Arizona State club hockey team is tracking concussions this season.

* The Associated Press reported on a nonprofit group that has sued the NCAA over a new policy that bars felons from coaching NCAA-sanctioned events.

– Bill Bradley, contributing editor