DATE

FOR USE AS DESIRED

NFL 10/12/01

NFL TUESDAYS:

PLAYERS IN THE COMMUNITY ON THEIR DAYS OFF

The Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints will meet on October 21 at the Louisiana Superdome. On October 16, they’ll meet off the field in a STARBRIGHT videoconference between the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans and Children’s Hospital at Egleston in Atlanta.

The STARBRIGHT Foundation, a non-profit children's organization chaired by General H. Norman Schwarzkopf and Steven Spielberg, is a private online computer network linking seriously ill children in more than 80 hospitals across the country. Atlanta Falcons QB MICHAEL VICK and Saints DE Joe Johnson and T Willie Roaf will participate in a Q&A session and a game of Bingo between the two hospitals.

Tuesday is the traditional day off for NFL players during the season. It is the day used by players to escape the rigors of pro football and get reacquainted with rest and relaxation. But many players also use their day off to “go to work” in their communities.

In the 2001 season, the NFL will highlight these day-off community endeavors with a program entitled “NFL Tuesdays.” The program is designed to raise awareness, both locally and nationally, about the day-off charitable work of NFL players and coaches.

“For years, NFL players and coaches have been working extensively in their communities on their day off,” says NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “While many of us use our two-day weekend to relax, countless NFL players and coaches use their one day off during the season to give back to their communities. It’s time players received more credit for that.”

Every week, the NFL will gather information from its clubs about player and coach activities scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday. The information then will be distributed to media and fans.

Following are some of the activities players and coaches will be participating in this October 16 (for a complete list, log onto NFL.com):

Team	Player	Brief Description of Activity
Atlanta Falcons	Michael Thompson	Visiting youth football practice.
Cleveland Browns	Carl Fair, Ben Gay, Anthony Henry James Jackson, Michael Jameson, Andre King, Quincy Morgan, Paul Zukauskas	Attending the MBNA/United Way Rookie Luncheon. Members of the Cleveland Browns 2001 Rookie Class will eat lunch with twenty-five MBNA staff members while discussing their community commitments and encourage charity involvement. Those invited to the lunch are winners of the MBNA/United Way Campaign Kickoff Raffle.
Cleveland Browns	Lewis Sanders	Approximately 65 African-American youth in grades 8-12 from Granville Academy will participate in a 2 1/2 hour workshop hosted by Cleveland Browns Director, Community Relations, Hillary A. Johnson. Twice a month this organization meets to provide fundamental business and financial skills that will facilitate youth's future assimilation in the economic mainstream. During their visit to Cleveland Browns Stadium, they will discuss the importance of Community Relations, how it can impact an organization, and the surrounding community. In addition, youth will create a Community Relations program, tour the facility, enjoy a stadium meal and have a surprise visit from defensive back Lewis Sanders.
Chicago Bears	Marty Booker Paul Edinger Anthony Thomas Chris Villarial	Participating in Cingular Wireless kids football clinic. Players teach children football skills and conduct various drills.
Detroit Lions	Todd Lyght Chris Claiborne Barrett Green Shaun Rogers Bryant Westbrook Bradford Banta	Attending the grand opening of Detroit Lions Academy with team president Matt Millen.
Miami Dolphins	Patrick Surtain	Speaking at Women In Distress “Athletes Against Domestic Violence” symposium.
Minnesota Vikings	Owner Charline McCombs, Kelci Striner and Winfield Garnett	Continuing the tradition of Korey Stringer’s involvement with the St. Paul Public Library Youth Volunteer Awards, Winfield Garnett (who played college football with Korey at Ohio State), Owner Charline McCombs and Kelci Stringer will present the youth volunteers with their awards.
New York Giants	Glenn Parker Howard Cross Shaun Williams Lomas Brown Rodney Williams Dhani Jones Jason Garrett Amani Toomer Greg Comella Joe Montgomery	Participating in Football 101 to benefit My Sisters Place.
New York Jets	Kerry Jenkins, Tony Scott, Nick Ferguson, Marlion Jackson, Dennis O’Sulliven, David Loverne, Kareem McKenzie, Shane Burton	Participating in Twin Towers Tuesdays by visiting fire halls, police stations, Port Authority command centers, schools and hospitals every Tuesday this season to offer encouragement to the survivors and victims of the September 11 attacks.
New Orleans Saints	Joe Johnson and Willie Roaf	Participating in a STARBRIGHT Videoconference with the Atlanta Falcons.
San Francisco 49ers	Jason Webster, Brian Jennings, Eric Johnson	Speaking at a local school for Teach for America program.
Seattle Seahawks	Brock Huard, John Hilliard & the Sea Gals	Attending the Seattle Emergency Housing birthday party, an annual event held for homeless children staying in transitional housing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Rabih Adbdullah, Jamie Duncan, Russ Hochstein, Dexter Jackson, Randall McDaniel, Pete Pierson, Mark Royals, Al Singleton, Steve White, Todd Yoder	Players will meet with students from the Ponce de Leon Boys and Girls Club to award three essay contest winners $1000 scholarships in recognition of Hometown Huddle. They will also unveil a Stay in School poster featuring Buccaneer players who have received their college degrees.