AMERICA CELEBRATES PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK Communities Join USA Football, NFL, and NFL Players Association in Saluting Youth Football
(Vienna, VA) The inaugural PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK has involved communities across the nation as thousands of players, coaches, parents, sisters, brothers, and fans take part in celebrations, August 28 through September 4. USA Football, the NFL, and the NFL Players Association created the initiative to celebrate the great sport of football and recognize the many people involved at the grassroots level.
"We are extremely pleased by the overwhelming response to PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK in communities across the nation," said NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE. "Nearly every state was represented by PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK events held by youth leagues, high schools, universities, and NFL teams. We look forward to making PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK an annual tradition and an important part of every football season."
In addition to the 32 NFL teams, organizations in 90 percent of the United States and 7 countries are participating in PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK through celebration events and signing up for more than 50,000 promotional items.
"PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK gives families the opportunity to celebrate and participate in football events all across the country. It is great to see fans, volunteers, players, and coaches celebrate the cohesive atmosphere football creates," said GENE UPSHAW, NLF Players Association Executive Director. "PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK demonstrates the excitement of youth football and displays the passion of the young people who make up the game's future. We wish the event continued success and hope this is a week families look forward to each year."
PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK kicked off with Pro Football Hall of Fame Defensive End CARL ELLER and USA Football Chairman JACK KEMP in Blaine, MN. They addressed the nearly 1,000 players, parents, and coaches participating in the USA Football Classic, a youth football jamboree.
Eller, who starred as a member of the famed Purple People Eaters of the Minnesota Vikings had a clear message to the young boys and girls in attendance: Teamwork. "Winning is a result of a combined effort," said Eller. "To succeed, you must learn to believe in yourself and learn to believe in your teammates, that's what you learn from playing football."
"More than 21 million Americans will play football this year, and millions more will participate from the sidelines," said Kemp. "PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK celebrates the great traditions of the gridiron, from Friday night lights to Monday Night Football."
PLAY FOOTBAL WEEK will come to a close on Saturday, September 4 with a tailgate party at the University of Maryland and the U.S. Air Force Academy "Wings of Blue" parachute team carrying a PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK banner during its jump into Falcon Stadium.
"The sport of football is an important part of our sports culture," said DEBORAH YOW, Director of Athletics at the University of Maryland. "So many young people have benefited from participation, and the University of Maryland is committed to its support of the sport at all levels."
(Vienna, VA) The inaugural PLAY FOOTBALL WEEK has involved communities across the nation as thousands of players, coaches, parents, sisters, brothers, and fans take part in celebrations, August 28 through September 4. USA Football, the NFL, and the NFL Players Association created the initiative to celebrate the great sport of football and recognize the many people involved at the grassroots level.