NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was at EverBank Field on Friday to accept an award for “Project 17.”
The program aims to place 17 athletic trainers at public Duval County high schools during the next five years. The trainers would help diagnose concussions on the field and act as medical professionals.
The total cost of Project 17 is nearly $3 million over five years.
Some of the initial funding will come from a partnership between Jacksonville University, the city, the Jaguars and the NFL.
After the first two years, the school district will likely foot most of the bill.
"If there's different people that could work with high school students, that would be phenomenal," said Sam Munz, whose 8-year old son plays Pop Warner football.
Munz's son nearly suffered a concussion when he was hit in the head during a game last year.
"He was looking the other way and his feet were in the air," she said. "He was blindsided by the opponent."
Munz said even with changes coming, she’s not 100 percent convinced football is safe.
“If he got another brain injury or full-concussion, then I would more than likely not have him play anymore,” she said.