CRESTVIEW — Davidson Middle School is the sixth middle school football team to receive protective gear from the Taylor Haugen Foundation’s Youth Equipment For Sports Safety Program and the Dugas Family Foundation.
More than 30 football players are now equipped and outfitted with EvoShield Compression Shirts.
“These shirts are commonly worn by pro and college athletes, but their availability is often unknown to youth athletes and their parents,” Brian Haugen, father of the late Taylor Haugen, said. “With a price point higher than traditional shirts, this next-generation equipment is commonly out of reach for many athletic department budgets, so with help from the Dugas Family Foundation, we’re protecting our football players earlier and better than ever.”
This season, the YESS program has outfitted more than 1,500 football players across Okaloosa and Walton County. Shoal River Middle School was equipped in August.
"Research indicates that more injuries, including abdominal injuries, happen on the practice field, so it’s important for the YESS program to offer this protection to all athletes who step foot on that playing field," Bernard Johnson, chair of the Taylor Haugen Foundation, said.
The Davidson Panthers were the 13th team equipped by the foundation as part of the Dugas Family Foundation grant.
Taylor died from an abdominal injury during Niceville High School's kickoff classic against Fort Walton in August 2008.
Email thfdirector@emailfamily.org for more information about the YESS program
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Panther football players receive protective gear