CONTACT:
Brian McCarthy, NFL, 212-450-2069                                         Michelle Jasukaitis, Kmart, 248-643-5200
Ariane Romano, NFL, 212-450-2075

CHICAGO, JULY 17 – The National Football League and Kmart are teaming up this fall to provide families the chance to experience a day in the life of an NFL player in the 1998 Kmart NFL Family Days program. Nearly 300 families of four in 13 NFL cities will visit their local NFL team and participate in non-contact football skills clinics, stadium tours and autograph sessions with NFL players.

The program increases its reach with 700 Kmart locations in 13 NFL cities up from 250 stores and seven markets last year. The participating markets are Atlanta and Carolina, September 19; Buffalo and New York Jets, September 26; Jacksonville and Pittsburgh, October 3; Detroit, October 11; Minnesota, San Francisco, October 17; Washington, October 24; Philadelphia, October 25; Miami, October 31; Tampa Bay, November 7.

Each clinic will be divided into a morning (9:00 A.M.-Noon) and afternoon (1:00-4:00 P.M.) session with 150 families participating in each session. After a brief introduction, the children will participate in a skills clinic on the main field where they will rotate between skills and receive instruction from local coaches and NFL players. Children will then be joined by their family members for tours of the locker room where they will learn about pre-game preparation; the press box; the radio broadcast booth; and the video room where they will learn about editing and game film preparation. Family members will also participate in on-field activities.

Families can register at more than 700 participating Kmart stores. No purchase is necessary with sign-up running August 16 to September 5. Kmart, the exclusive retailer for the program, and the NFL will provide each participant with free T-shirts and hats featuring the Family Days logo – comprised of the Kmart logo and NFL shield as well as the participating NFL team logo.

Kmart NFL Family Days was launched in 1996 in Detroit, and is part of the NFL’s multi-faceted "Play Football" initiative to provide exciting ways for even more 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; NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick; and Nike NFL Youth Training Camps. For additional information on NFL "Play Football" programs, call 1-800-NFL-SNAP or visit the NFL’s website at nfl.com.