media contacts:                        Brian McCarthy, NFL, 212-450-2069

                        For the United Way:

                        Marcel Bolintiam, Fleishman Hillard

                                                                                               202.828.5075

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    

                       

UNITED WAY & NFL CONTINUE COMMITMENT TO CARING

WITH HOMETOWN HUDDLE

 

Motorola Employees Lend Support

 

Alexandria, VA (September 25, 2001): Amidst so much tragedy¾so much caring. Today, NFL players and United Way are using this year’s third annual “Hometown Huddle” to channel the recent outpouring of volunteerism, philanthropy, and genuine love for America back to our country’s homeland. As part of ongoing efforts to build stronger communities, local United Ways across the country are teaming with NFL clubs in a wide variety of community service activities. From building playgrounds for toddlers to hosting discussion forums for kids to bowling with seniors, NFL players and local United Ways are out in full force today to show their commitment to United Way’s community building initiatives.

 

The Hometown Huddle is part of the “NFL Tuesday” program in which players devote their day off during the season to community service. “For three decades, NFL teams and players have worked with the United Way in times of crisis and throughout each year to help build stronger communities,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “The recent tragedies make volunteer days like the Hometown Huddle more important than ever.”

 

Players on every NFL team have responded to the recent tragedies. Players have not only made significant monetary contributions, but have also participated in activities designed to help the healing process.  Among the activities: donating blood, loading supplies on trucks going to the World Trade Center relief efforts, comforting rescue workers and showing support at military bases.

 

“While I cannot be in New York City or Washington, D.C. to help in the recovery efforts, I do think about the kids and their families all across the country who have been affected. It’s comforting to know that United Way is there to help,” said Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis. “I hope that my involvement here in Pittsburgh in some way connects all of us to the greater cause of community involvement and caring for one another.”

 

The devastating events of September 11, 2001 will have a lasting effect on people and communities across the country. The United Way Movement is committed to leading the country's caring people and organizations through the recovery and rebuilding process, community by community. “United Way salutes the NFL, its players and the countless volunteers across the country who have demonstrated to the world compassion in action,” said United Way of America Interim President and CEO Chris Amundsen. “Every community has been affected and as the dust settles, 1,400 United Ways will be there, bringing communities together to heal and rebuild shattered lives.”

 

Also participating in the day of volunteering are Motorola employees who will join in nearly 20 programs Tuesday.  Motorola, the official wireless communications provider of the National Football League, has been an United Way supporter since 1951.

 

Now in its 28^th year, the partnership between the NFL and United Way is the most visible and longest running charitable collaboration. The PSA series, broadcast each week of the season to more than 113 million viewers, has kept United Way in the forefront of peoples' minds for nearly three decades. Since the NFL and United Way combined forces, annual United Way fundraising has soared from $800 million to $3.77 billion. No other vehicle has been more effective in providing visibility for United Way.