Contact:
Dave Lockett
National Football League
(212) 450-2070

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NFL PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONVENTION
Exhibit Profiles African-American NFL Executives

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 6 -- The National Football League profiled nine African-Americans who hold executive positions in the NFL as part of an NFL exhibit at this year’s National Urban League National Convention (August 3-6 at the Washington Convention Center). The NFL exhibit was designed to show that African-Americans can develop sports-related careers through the pursuit of education, not only through achievements on the playing field.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is a member of the National Urban League Board of Trustees.

"The NFL supports the National Urban League’s mission to assist African-Americans in the achievement of social and economic equality," said Commissioner Tagliabue. "We hope our exhibit at this year’s convention inspires young African-Americans to pursue their dreams on and off the playing fields."

"You Don’t Have To Wear Pads To Make A Career In The Pros" is the theme of the NFL exhibit featuring posters with inspirational quotes and highlights from each NFL executive’s academic career. Those featured are Harold Henderson, NFL executive vice president of labor relations; Deron Cherry, minority owner, Jacksonville Jaguars; Adrian Barr, vice president/finance, St. Louis Rams; Michael Huyghue, senior vice president, football operations, Jacksonville Jaguars; Bobby Grier, vice president, player personnel, New England Patriots; Reggie Roberts, director of communications, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adele Harris, community relations director, Arizona Cardinals; Ronnie Barnes, head trainer, New York Giants; and Johnny Grier, NFL referee.

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a nonprofit, community-based organization headquartered in New York City with 114 affiliates in 34 states and the District of Columbia.