Contacts:
Chris Widmaier
NFL
212-450-2066
widmaierc@nfl.com

Lane Beauchamp
Circle 1 Network
414-271-5437
lane.beauchamp@circle1network.com

NEW YORK, January 4, 2000 – PlayFootball.com, the NFL’s official Web site for kids, is now online. The new site offers girls and boys ages 8 to 14 an interactive sports destination built exclusively for them. At PlayFootball.com, kids vote on weekly MVPs and Plays of the Week, play challenging games, find out about players and the people behind the scenes of the NFL and learn more about football strategy and positions.

The unique site, which is produced by NFL Enterprises and Circle 1 Network, combines educational and entertaining content while giving a human face to football’s statistics and scores. The site’s content changes regularly with new polls, games, player profiles, football tips and other NFL news for kids.

"PlayFootball.com is another example of our commitment to our youngest fans," said Chris Russo, senior vice president of new media for the NFL. "The site will be a fun, interactive space for kids to learn about and interact with the game of football."

"Kids have a natural curiosity and want to know everything about a particular subject," said Jorian Clarke, president of Circle 1 Network, a Web publishing company focused on kids and families. "PlayFootball.com gives both girls and boys a perspective on the entire game – from what it’s like to score a winning touchdown to what it’s like to cut the grass on the field."

The site also focuses on the entire family, encouraging kids and their parents to learn together online, then take their new knowledge to watch and play football together offline, Clarke said.

PlayFootball.com gives kids and their families information on how they can actively get involved with the NFL through the national NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick program and NFL Flag leagues. This year’s PP&K championship, to be held prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff game in Jacksonville, will be covered extensively on the site, with competitor bios and photos from the competition. PlayFootball.com also will provide a kids’ look at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta.

"We have Superbowl.com, a site dedicated to the Super Bowl, and NFL.com, the league’s official website, providing extensive coverage of the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl. PlayFootball.com, however, will provide different coverage and looks at the players and activities from a kid’s perspective," stated Russo.

Kids at PlayFootball.com can "Be a Player" by checking out weekly profiles of favorite players and educational information on fitness, nutrition, equipment and other topics for specific player positions. The first player profiles on the site include Justin Armour and Jamie Sharper of the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Campbell of the Detroit Lions, Matt Hasselbeck and Ryan Longwell of the Green Bay Packers and Tiki Barber of the New York Giants. The players answer questions from kids around the country about everything from their favorite food to their favorite Pokemon character!

In addition to the players, kids can learn about football from the ground up. The weekly Football Basics lessons will cover everything from the playing field to positions to the history of the game. There are regularly updated profiles of the NFL’s behind the scenes players – like referees, trainers and the scores of other people who keep the NFL running. And kids also can check on their favorite team’s standings and upcoming schedule.

In the Games section, boys and girls can test their football knowledge. Touchdown Trivia, updated weekly, covers the game from its beginnings in the 1870s to today. The Who Are We? game helps kids at different experience levels learn about their favorite teams, with new teams added every week. Each game has a special Hall of Fame section featuring the top scores for each game every week.

PlayFootball.com is a safe online destination for kids. The site is in full compliance with the recently announced federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and Rule.

The site becomes the league’s sixth Internet site for fans. NFL.com, the league’s official website, is the third-most popular sports website and the most popular league website on the Internet. Other NFL websites include Superbowl.com, NFLHS.com, NFL Europe.com, NFL SundayTicket.com and now PlayFootball.com

Milwaukee-based Circle 1 Network publishes Web sites for parents and kids that attract visitors from more than 120 countries. Its flagship site, KidsCom^®, is one of the longest-running and most popular sites on the Internet for children. KidsCom is a community of safe, educational and entertaining playgrounds for kids 4 to 15, giving kids a voice to the world and to each other around the world through a variety of engaging activities. Circle 1 Network also publishes ParentsTalk™, an online community for moms and dads of all generations to learn more about parenting and to share their opinions and their lives. The site offers diverse perspectives from around the world that focus on a wide range of family-building information and activities.