An NFL-backed youth football safety program does not reduce injuries the way organizers claimed in online materials and even Congressional testimony, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.The Heads Up Football program offers in-person and online classes teaching proper tackling techniques and safety procedures for games and practice. Promotional materials claim that an independent study has shown that the program reduced injuries by 76 percent and concussions by 30 percent.?However, The New York Times found that the study by?Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention, which was published in July 2015, found no demonstrable effect on concussions during the study, and significantly less effect on injuries over all.Heads Up has received millions of dollars from the NFL and is overseen by USA Football, youth footballs governing body. Sharp decreases in youth football participation, mostly due to parents safety concerns, have spurred the organization to explore ways to make the sport safer.?Representatives of the NFL and USA Football told the newspaper that they were unaware that the final study did not support Heads Up Footballs claims. They said that they had used preliminary information from the study and would update their information.?? Alan Trammell Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Shane Greene Jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. http://www.tigersgearshop.com/Tigers-Nick-Castellanos-Kids-Jersey/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Al Kaline Jersey . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Dixon Machado Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.Rory McIlroy admitted to being a little bit disappointed after an opening round of 70 in the Masters at Augusta. The world No 3 was four under going into the final three holes but bogeys on the 16th and the last saw him slip back to two under, four off leader Jordan Spieth.However, despite some frustration at how he finished the round, McIlroy insisted that he feels in a good position to post a better score in his second round.It wouldve been nice to get it in at four under but saying that, standing on the first tee this afternoon, I probably wouldve taken a 70, the Northern Irishman told Sky Sports.It was tricky out there, it was tough conditions. There were some holes where you just had to make a par and move on, there were others you could take advantage of but Im a little bit disappointed with 70. McIlroy bogeyed the last, but remains in the top 10 It probably couldve been better but I can go out there tomorrow [Friday] and know that I can be aggressive on some holes.I think the wind is going to be pretty much from the same direction so at least I know how the course is going to play and hopefully I can shoot a few better tomorrow.Asked if Spieths round of 66 affected how he approached his own round, McIlroy maintained that he was simply focused on his own game. Watch a selection of the best shots from the opening round Masters Not really, I think if anything the breeze did freshen this afternoon and I couldnt look at that, I didnt need to look at it, I needed to just take care of myself, he added.This course is hard enough when youre just looking after yourself, let alone when youre thinking of other people so I was just trying to concentrate and shoot the best score I could. That added up to a 70 today but Ive seen the golf course now, Ive got a feel of how its playing and I feel like tomorrow I can improve on that.The 26-year-old was pleased with how he played the par fives and believes similar showings over the next three days will keep him in contention.I think I played the par fives here last year in 14 under and Ive played them today in four, said McIlroy. Colin Montgomerie picks apart a mixed round for Rory McIlroy If you can do that around this golf course then youre never going to be far away so hopefully I can continue to do that - pick up a few birdies here and there on the par threes and par fours.ddddddddddddEarly progressShane Lowry, meanwhile, is tied for second with New Zealander Danny Lee after making a flying start to go four under after five holes.I was just trying to keep it going as long as I could, said the Irishman. I started off nicely and I holed a 12-footer on the first for par and that settled me down and got me going. Shane Lowry showed his delight with his round of 68 to put him joint second I hit it in tight and then holed a couple of 15 or 20-footers and then I was off and running. I played really well today and Im pretty happy with where I sitting.It was quite difficult today and any birdie you could get was tough work. Par was a good score and I was lucky, I made a few putts, but coming in I felt I missed a few chances - 15, 17 and then I burned the edge there on 18. But if you had given me this at the start of the day I wouldve taken your hand off. Get a Sky Sports Week Pass Dont miss the Masters. Watch live on NOW TV from ￡6.99. No contract. Also See: Rose: Toughest Augusta conditions Spieth: One of my best Monty reviews Rorys round When to watch the Masters ' ' '