NEW YORK JETS PROVIDE FREE TICKETS TO 300 NEW YORK CHILDREN AS PART OF NFL C.I.T.Y. FOOTBALL PROGRAM

Children From "Inner-City" Neighborhoods To Watch Jets Battle The Baltimore Ravens On Friday, August 8

NEW YORK, August 7 -- The New York Jets and the NFL have supplied tickets to this Friday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, to more than 300 New York boys and girls, as part of the New York Jets NFL C.I.T.Y. (Challenge and Inspire Today’s Youth) Football initiative. The children, who live in "inner-city" neighborhoods in New York’s five boroughs, will receive free transportation to and from the game, courtesy of the New York City Police Athletic League (PAL).

The children will be seated in section 112 on the lower level behind the Jets bench, and are part of the more than 2,000 New York City boys and girls who will participate in the 1997 New York Jets C.I.T.Y. Football initiative. C.I.T.Y. Football utilizes inner-city recreational facilities to provide free football programs to boys and girls ages 6-14 through the New York City Housing Authority. Current C.I.T.Y. Football programs include summer day camps; fall and spring flag football leagues; and access to Punt, Pass & Kick competitions.

"We are pleased to be able to give children a chance to watch an NFL game in person," said Scott Lancaster, director of youth development for NFL Properties. "Our goal is to provide exciting ways for children to play, watch and enjoy the game of football."

During halftime of the Jets-Ravens game, 20 boys and girls will demonstrate the different flag football games that children will play when they participate in an NFL C.I.T.Y. Football flag league.

Launched in 1996, NFL C.I.T.Y. Football will take place this year in New York, Chicago, Oakland, Detroit, New Orleans and San Diego.