Coaches, NFL 7on7 Staff, Officials, and Supporters

A View of the Sidelines

Awards Ceremony…

NFL HSPD 7on7 Participants completed their day with an inspirational speech from New Orleans Saints Defensive Line Coach, Ed Orgeron. Coach Orgeron spoke about being committed to the game and the requirement to work hard for the things you want out of life.

The evening concluded with recognizing the following individuals for their sportsmanship during the tournament;

Coach Chad Barrett (Seahawks) Tournament MVP Coach Award
Jake Heaps (Seahawks) Tournament MVP Player Award
Travis Sears (Broncos) AFC Sportsmanship Award
Ed Russ (Falcons) NFC Sportsmanship Award

The Championship Game…

After several close games, the Jets and the Seahawks teams make it to the Championship Game. All eyes were on both teams to see who would reign supreme as the NFL HSPD National 7on7 Tournament Champion.

The top seeded NFC team, the Seahawks, came out strong and took a commanding lead over the Jets who protected that lead well into the second half. Several interceptions and key touchdown throws by the Seahawks cemented the victory. Jets players were disappointed with their loss but knew they had experienced a once in a lifetime event.
CONGRATULATIONS SEAHAWKS!

Seahawks 37
Jets 10

Single Elimination...

The final day of competition began with the remaining games of the round robin tournament. It was another day of tight competition between the teams who fine tuned their execution and delivery. All the teams were well rested after a long Day One of competition. A good night’s rest, good food and fun at the Saints training facility definitely helped.

After the morning games, the NFL 7on7 Staff constructed the single elimination round seeding based on round robin won/loss records of the previous games. Each team made valiant efforts to win and move on but quickly realized that everyone had stepped up their game. Teams that lost became fans of those teams still in the running for the championship slot. It demonstrated how the event brought everyone together despite being competitors.

A Night to Remember...

After a long day of intense competition, the teams had the opportunity to hear from several current and former Saints players share their stories about being in the NFL and how Hurricane Katrina impacted their lives. The players expressed how deeply they were moved by the devastation of Katrina and how the resurgence of the Saints became a beacon of hope for the residents of the city.

A tour of the Superdome by stadium staff gave the players a chance to see what it would be like to play in a NFL stadium while also hearing about how the stadium was used to help thousands of stranded hurricane victims during and after the storm. Tournament players and coaches also had the unique opportunity to visit the infamous 9th Ward to see the restoration progress and to see how much work still needs to be done.



The long day ended back at the Saints practice facility with a welcome dinner reception by the "Saintsations"...the New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders. Dinner was a delicious BBQ provided by the famous "K-Pauls" which featured Charbroiled Oysters, donated by Dragos, Jambalaya, Beef Tenderloin in Debris sauce, Chicken in New Orleans Red Gravy over pasta, and Lori Bennett cookies, a K-Paul specialty...mmmm delicious!

After consuming K-Paul's delicious feast, players had the opportunity to compete in the "Madden Video Game Challenge" and to meet the New Orleans Saints cheerleaders.

The Competition Begins...

The day finally arrived that all the players and coaches have been waiting for... "The Tournament". This was the first time for many players and coaches to compete against top talent from all across the country. All were eager to see how well they matched up against their competition.

Participants began their day with a 5:30 am wake up call...yes 5:30am! The competing teams had to be at breakfast at 6am and on the bus ready to leave for the Saints practice facility by 7:00 am. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the Saints staff and a host of parents providing their support. The early morning was steamy...actually it felt like a sauna bath, but that did not discourage the enthusiasm and excitement of the players and coaches.

As the day progressed, teams got into the groove which produced excellent performances by the players. Even though day one was a warm up round, every player gave 100% to insure their team's success.

Day one concluded with many tired and exhausted players who gave it their all in preparation for the single elimination round scheduled for day two.

Words of Wisdom...

Words of Wisdom were shared by the HSPD National Director Jerry Horowitz and Ron Hill, VP of Football Operations. Both shared their advice and guidance on how to be a successful football player and how to be a good person. The highlight of the welcome session was Zach Strief of the New Orleans Saints who provided his personal experiences of playing in the NFL and what it takes to be a well-rounded NFL player. He spoke about having the right attitude, image and motivation, all characteristics needed to make it in the NFL. The teams concluded with a character development exercise that emphasized attitude, image and motivation.

The Teams Arrive...

The Teams finally arrive at the hotel after long trips from all across the country. Many were tired from their trips but were energized after seeing what the NFL has in store for them. This was the first time for many to visit the city of New Orleans and for many the first time flying. This is truly a memorable experience that they will never forget.

So it Begins!

And so it begins...The NFL HSPD National 7on7 Tournament Staff discusses the final details for the event. After an evening of stuffing bags, separating apparel and reviewing schedules, the NFL Staff is ready to provide an unforgettable event for over 200 players and coaches.

Arriving in New Orleans

Teams from all across the country will be arriving on Thursday, July 10th to compete for the National 7on7 HSPD title. Some will are coming by plane, some by bus. Regardless of how they get there, all will be ready to compete.