FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          CONTACT:
1/10/02                                                                                         Steve Alic, NFL
                                                                                                    212-450-2066, alics@nfl.com

FIELD OF 3.5 MILLION YOUNGSTERS NARROWED TO 32 FOR
NFL GATORADE PUNT, PASS AND KICK NATIONAL FINALS

Field of Finalists Hails From 17 U.S. States, CBS to Spotlight Champions

 

Starting from a field of 3.5 million enthusiastic participants, 32 girls and boys, aged 8-15, will compete for top honors at the 2002 NFL GATORADE PUNT, PASS AND KICK National Finals. The competition will take place prior to the Sunday, Jan. 20 AFC Divisional Playoff Game in Pittsburgh. NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick is the nation’s largest grassroots sports skills competition.

A special live on-field award presentation for NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick Champions will air between the third and fourth quarters of the game’s 12:30 p.m. ET CBS telecast. NFL Films will shoot the competition for upcoming NFL features. Nickelodeon GAS (Games and Sports) will air highlights of the National Finals around its children-oriented programming on Friday, Feb. 1, between 5-7pm ET as well as on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, between 9-11am ET. More information about NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick, including top scores from all age divisions, may be found at www.PlayFootball.com, the NFL’s official youth football website.

Boys and girls compete separately in four age divisions (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15), with the top overall score in each group being crowned National Champion. All participants launch one punt, one pass and one kick, with scores based on distance minus accuracy (in feet). All 32 youngsters advanced to the National Finals by winning local, sectional and Team Championship competitions held throughout the NFL regular season. Only the top four scores in each age group from around the country qualify as NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick National Finalists.

Current NFL stars who took part in the league’s Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick program as kids include the Baltimore Ravens’ Randall Cunningham and Matt Stover, Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, and the New York Jets’ Vinny Testaverde and Tom Tupa.

“The NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick program is one way we introduce the game of football to millions of girls and boys around the country,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “We continue to see more kids participate which bodes well for the future of the game.”

All participants and their two guests are provided airfare and hotel accommodations to Pittsburgh to attend the National Finals. Finalists also receive tickets to the Divisional Playoff Game. In addition, all finalists will be treated to an awards banquet.

NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick action may be followed on Playfootball.com.

NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick National Finalists:

Name, Hometown, (Team Champion)	Name, Hometown, (Team Champion)
Girls 8-9	Boys 8-9
Theresa Plaisance, Harvey, LA (Saints)	Turner Gill, Madras, OR (Seahawks)
Merisa Rudy, Philadelphia, PA (Eagles)	Jakob Junis, Rock Falls, IL (Bears)
Bridget Urbanus, Wheeling, IL (Bears)	Mark Leal, Yuma, AZ (Cardinals)
Hayley Zisk, Baldenville, MA (Patriots)	Donald Thomas, New Orleans, LA (Saints)
Girls 10-11	Boys 10-11
Amanda Agent, Laredo, TX (Texans)	Josh Lambo, Crystal Lake, IL (Bears)
Erica Echols, Lantana, FL (Dolphins)	Richard Mais, Overland Park, KS (Chiefs)
Ariel Gregersen, West Sacramento, CA (Raiders)	Chris Massey, Brunswick, GA (Jacksonville)
Amanda Massey, Wichita, KS (Chiefs)	Tyrell Powell, Detroit, MI (Lions)
Girls 12-13	Boys 12-13
Ashley Edinger, Michigan City, IN (Colts)	Bobby Miller, Goodland, KS (Chiefs)
Leigh Elko, North Brunswick, NJ (Jets)	Stephen Paskorz, Gibsonia, PA (Steelers)
Ashley Malone, Hamlin, TX (Cowboys)	Tony Smith, Pleasanton, CA (Raiders)
Ashley Mannon, Queen Creek, AZ (Cardinals)	Riley Stephenson, St. George, UT (49ers)
Girls 14-15	Boys 14-15
Brittany Korth, Clinton, WI (Packers)	Brent Creaser, Monomonie, WI (Packers)
Lydia Pond, Plainfield, IL (Bears)	Brandon Gee, Athens, PA (Bills)
Josie Pugsley, Park Valley, UT (Broncos)	Alex Holland, Clairton, PA (Steelers)
Niki Reed, Fairfield, OH (Colts)	Juan Rosales, Phoenix, AZ (Cardinals)

The NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick program is part of the NFL’s “Play Football” initiative that provides exciting ways for even more children to play, watch and experience the game of football.  According to ESPN Sports Poll, football is the favorite sport of kids.

Additional “Play Football” programs include NFL Flag, Junior Player Development, High School Player Development and Player Development Camps.

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