Reeltown's O'Neal selected for NFL event

Ross Johnson

Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Reeltown High School head coach Jackie O’Neal was one of 51 high school football coaches selected to attend the eight annual 2008 National Football League Youth Football Summit in Canton, Ohio, July 22-25.

The event is followed by the NFL Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies this weekend.

O’Neal will join more than 175 youth coaches and other supporters of youth and high school football, including 22 former NFL players now coaching at the youth and high school levels.

One coach from each state, as well as one from Washington, D.C., was selected after each applied to attend by entering a nomination and writing contest.

O’Neal, who left for the event Monday with his family, has the opportunity to talk with several special guests, including last year’s NFL High School Coach of the Year in Ed Thomas at the Kent State Stark Professional Education and Conference Center

Three-time Super Bowl champion Riki Ellison of the San Francisco 49ers and former Dallas Cowboys personnel chief Gil Brandt will also be on hand for the selected coaches to discuss several topics pertaining to the health of youth and high school football.

O’Neal’s entrance essay focused on his coaching career, coaching philosophies and commitment to youth, according an NFL Corporate Communications release.