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Contacts: Cathleen
Healy, USA Football, (703) 918-0007 ext. 103 USA FOOTBALL & NFL SALUTE YOUTH FOOTBALL WITH INAUGURAL “PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK” AUG. 28-SEPT. 4 August 17, 2004--The end of summer signals the beginning of the football season for millions of young players, their coaches and families. To celebrate the opening of the season and salute the participants in youth and high school football, USA Football and the NFL have created PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK, it was announced today. The inaugural PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK will take place from August 28-September 4 (weeks 3-4 of the NFL preseason) at NFL stadiums and other communities from coast to coast. There will be events and recognition programs, including clinics, skills competitions, scrimmages, picnics and parades. NFL teams will offer free tickets to youth football organizations for one home game during either the third (August 26-29) or fourth (September 1-3) preseason weekend. Teams will recognize youth football players during pregame ceremonies of many games by having them line up in full uniform in front of NFL players on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem. Youth teams also will scrimmage during halftime of designated NFL games. Youth football organizations coordinating local Play Football Week events include: the Amateur Athletic Union, American Youth Football, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Jewish Community Centers Association, National Association of Police Athletic Leagues, National Recreation & Park Association, Pop Warner Little Scholars, YMCA of the USA, and military institutions. “As we begin our season, it is important to recognize and salute the millions of players who help make football the most popular sport in America,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “Playing football is a great way for young people to be active and physically fit and part of a team. The lessons they learn on the field will help them in tackling many of life’s other challenges.” “Last year, more than 12 million boys and girls played football, giving them a chance to learn a great deal about themselves, about life, and about getting along with people of other races, religions, and nationalities,” said USA Football Chairman Jack Kemp. “Play Football Week celebrates these values learned on the gridiron as well as the tradition of the community coming together from Friday night lights to Monday Night Football.” National print, radio and television messages about Play Football Week will begin appearing this month. Local news about Play Football Week will be coordinated through youth football leagues, community centers, and NFL clubs. For information on local events, contact local youth football organizations, Parks and Recreation Departments, or visit www.usafootball.com. Parents and others may become involved in “Play Football Week” by contacting USA Football at 703-918-0007 and requesting a Play Football Week tool kit (available both online and CD-Rom). The tool kit will provide a turnkey operation that can be implemented by youth football organizations. USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is an independent non-profit organization that was launched with a grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund in December 2002. It is the first national advocacy group created to galvanize, support, and promote the sport of amateur football and its invaluable lessons for all boys and girls. Jack Kemp, former Congressman and quarterback who led the Buffalo Bills to the 1964 and 1965 American Football League Championship, serves as chairman. ### |