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Dave Lockett
National Football League
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MORE THAN 600,000 BOYS AND GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE IN FREE
1997 NFL GATORADE PUNT, PASS & KICK COMPETITION

Kids Ages 8-15 Compete For Chance To Participate In
Nationally Televised Finals Event In January 1998

NEW YORK, August 26 -- The NFL announced today that it expects more than 600,000 boys and girls throughout the country to compete in the 1997 NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick Competition. The free program, which runs throughout the fall, tests competitors ages 8-15 at punting, throwing and placekicking a football for distance and accuracy. Children can register at local Sears stores or by calling 1-800-NFL-SNAP.

"Football is the most popular sport in America, and we want every young fan to have a chance to get out and play the game," said Scott Lancaster, director of youth development for NFL Properties, the marketing arm of the NFL. "In 1996 we attracted more than 500,000 participants nationwide, and this year will be our largest competition ever."

Punt, Pass & Kick, the largest youth grass roots sports skills competition in the country, introduced girls-only divisions and crowned its first four girl national champions in 1996. Prior to 1996, boys and girls competed together, with only one girl ever advancing to the national finals round.

"By launching girls-only divisions, last year we were able to attract more than 125,000 girls to participate in our program," Lancaster said. "We expect even more girls to compete this year, and hope Punt, Pass & Kick will stand as a symbol that girls and boys can equally enjoy and excel at playing football."

Boys and girls compete separately in four age group divisions (8-9 years, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15) in contests on local, sectional and national levels. Each city throughout the country may host up to 10 Local competitions on weekends during the month of September. The top boy and girl scorer in each age division from every Local competition will advance to a Sectional competition in October or November.

The top five boy and girl scorers in every age group from each Sectional competition will advance to the Team Championship competition. A total of 40 participants (20 boys and 20 girls) will attend their city’s Team Championship round at their local NFL stadium in November or December during pregame or halftime of an NFL game. Each competitor and their families will receive complementary tickets to attend the game.

One girl and boy Team Champion in each city will be crowned for each age group. The top four scorers nationwide in each age group of the boys and girls divisions will be selected from all first-place finishers at the various Team Championships, and will advance to the National Finals at an AFC playoff game in January. A total of 32 participants (16 boys and 16 girls) will attend the National Finals. NBC will televise the competition during halftime of the game.

In addition to title sponsor Gatorade, the Punt, Pass & Kick program is supported by Hutch, NBC Sports and Sprint, the official telecommunications provider of the NFL.

Punt, Pass & Kick is part of the NFL’s "Play Football" initiative to provide exciting ways for children to play, watch and experience the game of football. Other "Play Football" programs include NFL Flag, presented by Nike; NFL C.I.T.Y. (Challenge and Inspire Today’s Youth) Football; Starter NFL Youth Training Camps; and Kmart NFL Family/Stadium Days.