InSideOut Initiative, Aimed at Transforming “Win-At-All-Costs” Sports Culture, Launches in Los Angeles
The InSideOut Initiative – a nonprofit aimed at transforming the “win-at-all-costs” sports culture in communities across the country and co-founded by NFL veteran Joe Ehrmann and Jody Redman – today launched in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams teamed to host trainings in partnership with the California Interscholastic Federation and educational leaders at the LAX Airport Marriott. Former Chargers wide receiver CURTIS CONWAY and Rams executive and former UCLA running back JOHNATHAN FRANKLIN were in attendance. Together they addressed participants on the important role coaches play in prioritizing character development, moral growth and other values in sports over a win-loss record.
Three out of four American families with school-aged children will have at least one child play an organized sport – approximately 45 million children. Less than 3% of high school athletes will go on to play college athletics and only a fraction of those – less than 1% – will ever play professionally. As such, success cannot be defined solely by the scoreboard. The InSideOut Initiative provides a blueprint for systemic change and focuses on the development of the educational, social and emotional well-being of each student-athlete. Data from the pilot year shows the Initiative is creating the space for intentionally providing character growth opportunities for students through their sports experience.