NFL vet Izell Reese bringing sports to youths across state

A Dothan native and NFL veteran wants to make sports more accessible to youths across the state.

RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese has partnered with the Alabama Recreation & Parks Association to expand access to youth sports across Alabama, the company said.

RCX Sports offers experiential youth sports opportunities in collaboration with major professional sports leagues such as NFL Flag, NHL Street, Jr. NBA Leagues, MLB Pitch, Hit & Run and Jr. Home Run Derby, designed to empower youth athletes of all backgrounds to “Play with the Pros.”

A Dothan native, seven-year NFL veteran and UAB football alum, Reese has remained engaged at the grassroots level of Alabama youth sports. He launched a free football camp in his hometown along with a community center which includes turf fields for flag football.

“As a native of Dothan, Alabama, I’m excited to work with ARPA to give back, not only to my community, but to dozens of communities across my home state,” said Reese. “This will allow us to expand the accessibility and inclusivity of our youth sports experiences to thousands of young Alabama athletes and instill skills that can be used on and off the playing field.”

Alabama is the first state to form a collaboration with RCX Sports, which will bring their signature youth sports programs to ARPA’s agency list comprised of more than 500 individual members of parks and recreation departments, townships, leisure services and other agencies.

Now, Alabama youth athletes can access these programs through local ARPA organizations across the state, including the NFL Flag Alabama League, which will have a statewide annual tournament.

RCX Sports will provide the equipment for these programs and facilitate the setup process for ARPA member agencies.

Alabama families will have the opportunity to enroll their children in several youth sports leagues, with each athlete getting the chance to don the logo of professional sports teams on their jerseys.

ARPA programs benefit Alabama’s economy, environment, communities and individuals said Natalie Norman, executive director at ARPA. As part of the collaboration, they will organize coaching and training clinics as well as coordinate an annual statewide flag football tournament using NFL Flag rules.

“Working alongside RCX Sports will allow us to better live out our mission of ensuring health, wellness, safety and access for all,” said Norman. “The experiential youth sports programs they conduct are well-produced, affordable, inclusive and gives our agencies another offering to keep athletes healthy and active.”

Alabama families can expect to see these “Play with the Pros” opportunities come to life for youth athletes as early as this summer.