3.5 Million Boys and Girls Entered 2000 Competition; Top Four Scores Nationally

New York, NY -- The 2000 NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick Championships (PP&K) began with more then 3.5 million boys and girls participating in over 12,000 local competitions in August.

Starting this weekend -- in Houston, on Saturday, and in Atlanta, Cincinnati and Cleveland on Sunday -- winners of local and sectional PP&K competitions will meet as NFL clubs host their PP&K Team Championships. Each club will crown a team champion in eight age divisions: Boys (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15) and Girls (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15). There are five qualifiers in each age group at the Team Championships (40 competitors total). Each participant receives one punt, one pass and one kick, with scores ranked by cumulative feet (distance minus accuracy).

Following the completion of all 32 NFL Team Championships, the top four scores nationally in each age division will advance to the National Finals. The finals are slated for halftime of an AFC divisional playoff game on January 6-7, and broadcast live on CBS.

All participants have received certificates signed by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and winners in each age division at each Team Championship will receive plaques. Among the alumni of NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick are several of the league's best known quarterbacks, including Brett Favre (Packers), Peyton Manning (Colts), Vinny Testaverde (Jets) and Drew Bledsoe (Patriots).

"I’m proud to serve as the spokesperson for NFL Gatorade PP&K and look forward to making this year’s program better than ever," Colts QB Peyton Manning said. "The focus is more then just who throws or kicks the ball the farthest. Just like on the football field, you have to put a lot into it -– not just on gameday, but everyday. Being a winner means more than finishing in first place. The benefits last a lifetime, on and off the playing field."