FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         CONTACT: Michael Signora (212/450-2076)  
NFLI-6                       5/8/02

 

EAGLES TIGHT END CHAD LEWIS TO VISIT ASIA,

PROMOTE NFL IN THAILAND, SINGAPORE & TAIWAN

Philadelphia Eagles All-Star tight end CHAD LEWIS will visit Asia from May 10-19 to promote American football in Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan.

Lewis, who is fluent in Chinese, will take part in youth clinics, participate in sponsor promotions and meet with local media.

“This is going to be an exciting trip,” Lewis said.  “I am really looking forward to spending time in Southeast Asia and visiting with the many NFL fans that live there.  It will be great to see the young kids playing our game and hopefully I’ll leave them with a few pointers.”

The trip, sponsored by NFL International and ESPN Star Sports, is not the first time Lewis has visited the region.  He lived in Taichung, Taiwan from 1990-92 as part of his Latter Day Saints mission.

The NFL has a growing presence in Southeast Asia, including relationships with several television stations in the region, and has invested in bringing the sport to thousands of boys and girls.

“The popularity of American football is on the rise around the world,” said DOUG QUINN, NFL senior vice president and managing director of NFL International.  “To have a player the caliber of Chad Lewis interacting with these young fans and helping them learn the game is a tremendous opportunity to experience the NFL up-close.”

The NFL launched its Flag Football program in schools throughout Korea in 1999 and Thailand in 2000.  The program has been so successful that both countries will send teams to compete in the Flag Football World Championship – a youth tournament featuring teams from 10 countries – in Mexico City, Mexico this August.

Entering his fifth season with Philadelphia, Lewis is one of the premier tight ends in the NFL.  He led all NFC tight ends with 69 receptions and 735 yards receiving in 2000, earning his first Pro Bowl berth as a starter on the NFC squad.

Lewis played collegiately at Brigham Young, where he made the team as a walk-on.  He finished his college career with 111 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns.