Welcome to the Youth Development Football League!

We offer football and cheerleading programs for children age 5 to 13 in Charlotte, Concord, and Huntersville North Carolina.

The Youth Development Football League’s philosophy is to teach the fundamentals of football and cheerleading, which prepares each player or cheerleader for their next level of play. Our organization was developed for our children to have fun and have a place that allows them to focus their energies in a positive manner while at the same time keeping them off the streets. Our teaching goals go well beyond the game of football. We instill in our children useful lifelong values such as teamwork, respect for others, commitment, strong work ethics, how to establish and achieve goals and but not least the values of education.

Football, as life itself, is extremely competitive. Although we don't believe in a win at all cost attitude, we do stress the importance of winning. Winning is important as long as it is accomplished by good sportsmanship and the values previously mentioned. Also, the will to win is the most important, you must want before you can achieve your goal.

As our ultimate goal, the YDFL’s philosophy can be summarized as the development of a child’s skills and character, preparing them to be a Winner in Life.

The Youth Development Football League is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt, non-profit Corporation= organized under the laws of the state of North Carolina.

History

The Youth Development Football League was formed in 2005 by Ethan and Lawanda Horton. Ethan Horton began his career in football as a standout quarterback for A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, North Carolina. From there, Horton went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he won accolades as a first-Team All-ACC running back and 1984 ACC Player of the Year. In 1985, Horton was The 15th overall pick in the NFL draft. He was a running back for the NFL’s Kansas City Chief (’85) and was a highly decorated tight end with the Los Angeles Raiders (’87; ’89 - ’93) and Washington Redskins (’94).

Horton’s skills as a tight end were recognized by the NFL by naming him to the Pro Bowl.

Horton’s football experience, coupled with collegiate training in Communications, launched his career in radio and television broadcasting. Listeners in Charlotte –
Metro area have experienced Horton’s quick wit and lively debates on a number of Radio sports programming shows. Horton’s broadcasting roster also includes television broadcasting. He serves as a color analyst for college football. Fox Sports Net, The Carolina Panthers, Comcast, and Carolina’s Sport Entertainment Television have all used Horton’s football knowledge. The Carolina Panthers use Horton during the season to provide analysis and commentary as co–host of the Panther Game Wrap-Up Show. In addition, Urban Sports and Entertainment feature Horton as co-host for its Weekly College Sports Program.