PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Steelers are teaming up with a leading concussion specialist to educate young athletes on how to avoid head injuries.
The team is touting the "Don't hit the head, don't use the head" program as a way to raise awareness and promote safe play among middle school, high school and youth football players.
The catchphrase came from Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who uses it frequently during practice. General manager Kevin Colbert overheard it and approached noted concussion specialist Micky Collins about using it to anchor the initiative.
Collins says if the motto is followed correctly it will significantly reduce the number of concussions. The program features a poster of Tomlin with the phrase and will be sent to football organizations of various levels throughout western Pennsylvania along with other literature.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
