On-field talent might be the most talked about aspect of football, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other key forces that contribute greatly to how the game is played and viewed. From building stadiums to maintaining the field, many of the minds working behind the scenes have one thing in common — they are relying on science, technology, engineering, and math to make everything come together.
That’s why last season’s Super Bowl champions the Denver Broncos are placing special emphasis on getting kids pumped up for STEM through “Tackle STEM,” a program intended to expose local students to career options by showing them the inner-workings of Mile High Stadium. They are able to see how everything from turf management to IT to video graphics production are essential to give fans the type of game they’ve come to expect. In addition, kids can gather STEM knowledge in the classroom through one of the many projects and math problems — like learning quadratic functions through kicking and punting — on the Tackle STEM website.
But it’s not just the behind-the-scenes team that’s pushing STEM — some of the players are getting involved as well.
A few lucky students who recently won the Kodu STEM Bowl, were surprised by offensive lineman Russell Okung when they were cashing in on their first place prize — the opportunity to play the Broncos-themed video game they had created on the big screen at Mile High Stadium.
Formerly a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Okung has been a long time advocate of getting more kids involved in STEM. He recently co-founded GREATER, an organization that uses computer science training to connect with and mentor at-risk youth. With the help of volunteers from Microsoft and Code Fellows, students are able to understand more about the apps and programs they use everyday, shifting the possibilities they see for their future.
While some might not immediately see the connection between football and STEM, those closely involved with initiatives like Tackle STEM insist the two are deeply connected.
In an interview with Diversity in Action, Brady Kellogg, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Denver Broncos, explained, “We found a significant correlation in the age at which kids become avid fans of the NFL and when they start making decisions about STEM careers. Ultimately, STEM connects to everything, including sports and football.”