June 19 NFL UPDATE

June 19, 1998
No. 282

ITEM ONE:	NFL JOINS HIGH SCHOOLS & COLLEGES IN OFFICIATING SEMINARS
	The NFL has joined forces with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the NCAA to conduct a series of football officiating seminars in four cities this July. The seminars are intended to develop football officiating on all levels, involve more people in officiating and teach its basic philosophies. "The NFL is eager to participate in this inaugural series of seminars," said JERRY SEEMAN, NFL senior director of officiating. "We hope that they will be the first of many seminars to be conducted in other areas of the country in future years." The keynote speakers will be from the NFL, and combine 75 years of league officiating experience, including 58 playoff games, 10 Super Bowls and three Pro Bowls. The NFL speakers, cities and dates of the officiating seminars: RED ("FIRST DOWN!") CASHION, July 16, Dallas; JERRY MARKBREIT, July 18, Chicago; TOM FINCKEN, July 23, Denver; and JOHNNY GRIER, July 25, Baltimore.
ITEM TWO:	BRONCOS NOT ONLY NFL WHITE HOUSE VISITORS
	President BILL CLINTON held up a No. 1 jersey presented to him by the Denver Broncos at the White House this Tuesday (June 16) while honoring the team for its Super Bowl XXXII victory. But to 51 children at the White House on June 4, their No. 1 man was New England Patriots quarterback DREW BLEDSOE. The youngsters were from the Children’s Miracle Network, the international charity that donates medical care to children who cannot afford it. Bledsoe is chairman of the organization and took the youngsters to the White House to present HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON with the first Children’s Champion of the Year Award. "It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever been a part of," said Bledsoe. "The stories these kids share, stories of courage and determination in fighting the odds of what they’re up against, is incredible." Where did the kids go after their Washington visit? To Disney World for the whole weekend, hosted by Bledsoe.
ITEM THREE:	THIS YEAR’S SUPER BOWL MVP? LAURA SANTOS!
	LAURA SANTOS was on the swimming and soccer teams in her high school this year. But now what does the 16-year-old want to do? "Play football," she says, "all the time!" What caused the change? Laura’s participation in the second annual Dallas Cowboys Let Us Play! Sports Camp for Girls conducted last weekend at Texas Stadium. Approximately 200 girls from ages 12 to 16 took part in the free three-day camp. "I think this camp is helpful for those who haven’t had experience in team sports," said Cowboys tight end ERIC BJORNSON. "We could see how much fun the girls had from all the smiling faces." No face was smiling more than Laura’s. The final event of the camp was the flag-football Super Bowl on Sunday and Laura quarterbacked her team to victory and added an interception on defense. The Let Us Play! Sports Camp for Girls was organized in 1996 by LEAH BARKER (wife of Jacksonville Jaguars punter BRYAN) and ROMONDA JORDAN (wife of Oakland Raiders running back RANDY). Let Us Play! camps have also been held in Charlotte and Denver the past two years.