Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. and Riddell Join Together to Donate 1,000 Football Helmets to MPRB Youth Football Program

Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. and Riddell Join Together to Donate 1,000 Football Helmets to MPRB Youth Football Program

Minneapolis native and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. and Riddell, the helmet industry leader, have teamed up to donate 1,000 new Riddell Revolution Speed Classic Youth football helmets to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's (MPRB) youth football program.

"Ever since I first started playing football as a young child at King Park in South Minneapolis, I have had a passion for the game," said Fitzgerald. "The teamwork, the camaraderie and the intense physical competition make it an exciting game to play. But the longer I play at the highest level, the more I understand the importance of playing wearing proper protective equipment."

Fitzgerald was looking for ways to help the MPRB football program when he discovered that Park Board recreation staff was already meeting with Riddell to explore investing in new protective football equipment. Seeing an opportunity to help the same program that gave him his start more than 20 years ago, Fitzgerald collaborated with Riddell to join forces and make a more sizeable donation that ensures all of the kids participating in the program would have access to new, innovative helmet technology.

"We are so grateful to Larry and Riddell for their generosity," said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board President John Erwin. "Thanks to their donation, 1,000 Minneapolis youth will be outfitted with state-of-the-art head protection using the same technology used at football's elite level."

In 2012, nearly 900 Minneapolis youth ages 9-14 are playing football through the MPRB youth football program.

The donation comes shortly before Fitzgerald and his team play the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis on Sunday, October 21.

About Larry Fitzgerald, Jr.
Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. is a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh, and earned All-American honors. Fitzgerald grew up in Minneapolis, Minn., playing his first football game at King Park. In an effort to give back to the community, Fitzgerald established the First Down Fund to help kids and their families by funding positive activities for kids during the summer and throughout the year. To learn more about Larry, visit www.larryfitzgerald11.com, like him on Facebook.com/fitzgerald or follow him on Twitter @larryfitzgerald

About Riddell
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports Inc.'s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL(r), Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment). For more information, visit www.riddell.com, like the Riddell Facebook page, or follow Riddell on Twitter @RiddellSports.

About Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
With 197 park properties totaling 6,744 acres of land and water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment. The Minneapolis Park System’s neighborhood parks, recreation centers and diversified programming have made the Minneapolis Park System an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play and work. To learn more about the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, visit www.minneapolisparks.org.