DODGERS DREAM FOUNDATION, LA84 FOUNDATION DEDICATE NEW DODGERS DREAMFIELD AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. RECREATION CENTER

--Field is the second Dodgers Dreamfield dedicated in 2011--

LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers Dream Foundation, in partnership with the LA84 Foundation and the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks, unveiled a new Dodgers Dreamfield this morning at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. Those on hand for the dedication ceremony included Dodger Owner and Chairman Frank McCourt, LA84 Foundation Vice President of Grants and Programs Patrick Escobar, Councilmember 8^th District, Bernard C. Parks, Councilmember, 9^th District Jan Perry, State Senator, 22^nd District Kevin de León, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation Jon Kirk Mukri and President, University Little League Raul Claros. 

Former Dodgers in attendance included Fernando Valenzuela, Maury Wills, Tommy Davis, Bobby Castillo and Kenny Landreaux. Valenzuela and Wills are depicted in murals recently painted overlooking the field, as is former Dodger manager Joe Torre. Former Dodger outfielder and current broadcaster Rick Monday emceed the event.

“Baseball teaches the value of teamwork, dedication and many other important life skills, and we hope this field at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center will provide those opportunities for thousands of kids for years to come,” said Dodger Owner Frank McCourt. “We are grateful for this partnership with LA84 and the Department of Recreation and Parks that is making a difference in the lives of the youth of Los Angeles.” 

Renovations to the new Dodgers Dreamfield at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center include a new batting cage, a new outfield windscreen, a new LED scoreboard and new field signage. The field fencing and dugout covers were also refurbished. 

“I am very pleased that even in this difficult financial time, through the efforts of the Dodgers Dream Foundation, the LA84 Foundation and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, we will be able to install a total of eight new Dodgers Dreamfields in parks throughout the City of Los Angeles,” said Mukri. “Through this partnership we will rebuild and renovate these fields to give them a myriad of upgrades, as well as a whole new look and better playability. The rebuilding of these eight fields is a big step forward in achieving our collective goal of providing youth a safe and clean place to play. We are sincerely thankful to both the Dodgers Dream Foundation and LA84 for their generous donations." 

All 17 University Little League teams were on hand for the dedication ceremony, which was followed by a clinic led by the Dodger alumni in attendance. 

"Youngsters who love to play baseball deserve quality facilities where they can play the game to the best of their abilities,” said Escobar. “This is why the LA84 Foundation has teamed up with the Dodgers Dream Foundation and the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department to improve the field at MLK Park and others throughout the area.  MLK Park has a long tradition of instilling the love for the game and developing excellent players.  We are pleased to be a small part in helping this tradition continue." 

"On behalf of the families and volunteers of University Little League, Life Skills Sports Academy and the MLK Park community, I'd like to thank the great people at LA84 Foundation, the Department of Recreation and Parks and the greatest organization in professional sports, the L.A. Dodgers, for partnering with us in structuring the lives of tomorrow's leaders,” said Claros.

This past summer, the Dodgers Dream Foundation, the LA84 Foundation and the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks committed to creating eight new Dodgers Dreamfields in the Los Angeles area, with a ninth field in partnership with LA County. The commitment will double the current number of Dreamfields to a total of 18. The Dodgers Dreamfield at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center marks the second of those nine and the second completed Dreamfield in 2011.

Seven of the next planned fields are within Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks properties in the San Fernando Valley, Eastside, South Los Angeles and Central and Harbor areas. An additional field is located in Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas' district. 

Clayton Kershaw To Donate $100 Per Strikeout To Arise Africa

“Kershaw’s Challenge” created to help build orphanage in Zambia

 

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day starter, Clayton Kershaw, announced today that he and his wife, Ellen, will donate $100 for each of his strikeouts during the 2011 season to Arise Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping end poverty on the continent through health care, education, business and discipleship.

 

The Dodgers Dream Foundation will also make a financial commitment to Arise Africa on behalf of Kershaw. As part of “Kershaw’s Challenge,” the 23-year-old left-hander is encouraging fans to join the cause by visiting www.kershawschallenge.com.  

 

A native of Dallas, TX, Kershaw took his first trip to Zambia during the offseason, where he and Ellen helped to build a school and spent time with numerous orphans. Their goal is to raise $70,000 to start an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia that will be called Hope’s Home, named for an 11-year-old orphan who is HIV positive and whom Clayton and Ellen befriended on their recent trip.

 

“It’s one thing traveling around the United States playing in different cities, even going to different parts of the world,” Kershaw told Dodgers Magazine in an April cover story. “But when you go to a third-world country and see how other cultures live, it’s very different. You think it’s something that happened way back in the day, but plenty of people are living in houses that would be considered shacks here without running water or electricity. It makes you thankful for what you have.”

 

Kershaw ranked fifth in the National League with 212 strikeouts last season and has fanned 497 batters in 483 big league innings. He struck out 276 batters in 220.1 minor league innings from 2006-08.

 

The trip to Zambia was Ellen Kershaw’s fifth.

 

“I always say the first time you’ve hugged a Zam­bian orphan it’ll change your life,” she told Dodgers Magazine. “It’s because that whole blanket of poverty becomes very personal, and you see the one life that you can impact and what a difference you can make… Going to Zambia really broadened both of our perspectives. I think we’re just trying to leave a legacy, leave a mark.”

Ryan Gomes Raises Awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Clippers forward Ryan Gomes was honored on March 26 during the Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors game at STAPLES Center during a very special presentation. Through his non-profit organization, Hoops For Heart Health, Gomes works to raise awareness and educate people on the growing problem of sudden cardiac arrest in children and adolescents.

Gomes has donated automated external defibullators (AEDs) to schools and recreation centers in all 30 NBA cities.

On March 26, Gomes donated a Cardiac Science Power Heart G3 AED to San Dimas High School and made the presentation to a representative from the school in a pre-game ceremony on the court.

UNDER ARMOUR AND BRANDON JENNINGS GIVE ALL-STAR TREATMENT TO ROWLEY PARK BASKETBALL COURT

WHAT:            Under Armour and Brandon Jennings have teamed up to bring a state-of-the-art basketball court renovation to Rowley Park in Brandon’s hometown of Gardena, CA. Rowley Park is Brandon’s original “home court,” the place where as a young child he learned the love of the game that still drives him to succeed today. The updated outdoor court will be unveiled at a celebration kicking off NBA All-Star Week.

The updated court features a new Sport Court rubber surface with the Under Armour and Brandon Jennings “BJ3” logos and premium NBA regulation hoops. The celebration brings Brandon’s energy and excitement for his hometown back to the people he loves most, with festivities for kids including a H.O.R.S.E. competition against Brandon, pick-up games, a Mobile Barbershop providing free haircuts, Under Armour gear prizes, and the culmination of the celebration---a ribbon cutting with Brandon Jennings and the Mayor of Gardena. 

WHO:               Brandon Jennings, NBA point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks

                        Matt Mirchin, Under Armour SVP, Sports Marketing

                        Mayor Paul Tanaka, Mayor of Gardena, CA

WHEN:             Thursday, February 17, 2011

                        3:00PM- 5:00PM

WHERE:           Rowley Park

13220 S. Van Ness Ave

Gardena, CA 90247

DODGERS ANNUAL COMMUNITY CARAVAN PRESENTED BY USC UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SET FOR FEBRUARY 14-15

                   

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers will embark on their eighth annual Community Caravan on Monday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 15. This year’s Dodgers Community Caravan presented by USC University Hospital is themed “Two Days of Community Service” where current and former Dodger players will join Dodger fans in giving back to Los Angeles Community.  

 

Monday, February 14

 

Day one of the Dodgers Community Caravan will feature Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly and Dodgers Andre Ethier and James Loney. Hall of Fame Manager and Special Advisor to the Chairman Tommy Lasorda alongside former Dodgers Steve Garvey, Bobby Castillo, Tommy Davis, Kenny Landreaux and Rudy Law and Dodger broadcaster Steve Lyons will also participate.

 

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.        Los Angeles River Cleanup (Public must pre-register for a chance to participate)

 

The Dodgers in partnership with Los Angeles City Council District 1, Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and Los Angeles Conservation Corps/Los Angeles River Keepers will clean up the banks of the L.A. River.

 

Dodger fans must pre-register online to participate. The event is open to the first 250 registrants that sign up at www.dodgers.com/caravan.

 

5:00 p.m.                                Lopez Tonight Taping in Burbank

 

The Dodgers will make an appearance on George Lopez’s national show to share their community service experiences.

 

Tuesday, February 15

 

Dodgers Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp, Tony Gwynn Jr., Jay Gibbons and Gabe Kapler will join former Dodgers Fernando Valenzuela, Ron Cey, Derrel Thomas, “Sweet” Lou Johnson and Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe in the Los Angeles community for day two of the Dodgers Community Caravan. Dodger broadcasters Charley Steiner and Pepe Yñiguez will also partake.

 

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.        Heal the Bay, Santa Monica (Public must pre-register for a chance to participate)

                                               

Dodger fans will join the Dodgers on a Heal the Bay cleanup at Santa Monica beach. The event is open to the first 750 fans that register online at www.healthebay.org/events. Participants will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win autographed baseballs, Dodger tickets and raffle items at the day’s event.

 

4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.       Dodgers Dreamfield Dedication Ceremony at Northridge Recreation Center

 

                                                The Dodgers Dream Foundation will dedicate its 10^th Dodgers Dreamfield at the Northridge Recreation Center. Councilman Greig Smith will join and youngsters from the community will participate in the field’s first clinic with the Dodgers who will instruct them on the fundamentals of baseball.

 

More information on the Dodgers Dream Foundation and the club’s charitable endeavors can be found at dodgers.com/community.

Torii Hunter Project Sponsors Little League's Jamborees

--Little League’s Urban Initiative State Jamborees Begin with Event in Atlanta--

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – In an effort to give more children and more leagues the opportunity to participate in a tournament setting, Little League’s Urban Initiative will hold jamborees in four locations this summer.  Events will be held in Atlanta, Ga.; Houston; Chicago; and, Newark, N.J.

“Beginning in 2004, local leagues participating in the Little League Urban Initiative were invited to the annual Jamboree held on the Little League International complex,” Demiko Ervin, Director of the Little League Urban Initiative, said.  “Those events were successful and beneficial for the leagues involved.  The primary goals of taking the Jamboree to the state level are to increase the number of children from Urban Initiative Little Leagues that get to participate in a ‘tournament style’ event, and to better serve Urban Initiative leagues on a state-wide basis by giving local league members, coaches and players a greater chance to network and share ideas.”

The Little League Urban Initiative was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for communities in metropolitan areas to reap the benefits of having Little League in their neighborhoods.

The first Urban Initiative State Jamboree will take place in Atlanta, May 28-31.  There will be more than 150 players participating comprising 11 teams.  Belvedere Little League, based in Decatur, Ga., will serve as the host for the weekend-long event and activities.  All Jamboree games will be played at Shoal Creek Park in Decatur.  Urban Initiative leagues from the state of Georgia and South Carolina will compete in the Jamboree.

The state-based jamborees in the four locations this summer are sponsored by the Torii Hunter Project.  The all-star outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, founded the organization as part of a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact children in need in various parts of the United States.  Now in his 14th Major League season, Mr. Hunter’s project has four areas of focus related to children: sports, community, education, and wellness.

The Jamboree in Houston will take place June 3-5, with teams from across Texas participating.  Chicago’s Jamboree will welcome Urban Initiative Leagues from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana for an event scheduled for June 11-13.  The same weekend as the Jamboree in Chicago, a Jamboree in Newark, N.J. will take place with teams from across New Jersey and one team from Philadelphia expected to participate.

“The motivation behind extending the Jamboree concept to the state level was a matter of opportunity,” Mr. Ervin said.  “Bringing teams to South Williamsport, giving them a chance to play on the World Series fields, and exposing them to Little League’s history and origin are all great, but we want to take the next step.  The next step is recognizing those leagues that have embraced the Urban Initiative mission and allow them to show what a local league can do with the proper mix of resources, support and community involvement.”

The Jamborees in Chicago and Newark will feature a clinic for the participating players conducted by The Baseball Factory.

The four jamborees this summer will take the place of the annual Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree that Little League International hosted Memorial Day weekend.  During the six years the Jamboree was played at the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa., teams from 66 different Urban Initiative leagues and more than 800 players participated.


The Little League Urban Initiative is now operating with more than 200 leagues in nearly 85 cities in the United States.  Through the 2009 Little League season, the Little League Urban Initiative has stimulated the participation of 3,901 teams and approximately 51,000 players.  The Urban Initiative has also participated in nearly thirty field renovation/development projects, including a current project in Richmond, Va.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.6 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.

###

LAKERS TO HOLD YOUTH BASKETBALL CAMP FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN LOS ANGELES

EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers will conduct “Camp Lakers”, presented by dazadi.com, a youth basketball day camp for boys and girls ages 9-18, this July in two sessions, it was announced by the team.  The camps will be held at the Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles. Session one will be held June 28-July 1; session two will be held July 5-8.

As in the past, both current and former Lakers players and coaches will make guest appearances to help with on-court instruction.  Previous players/coaches who have made appearances include: Kobe Bryant, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Michael Cooper, Brian Shaw, Tex Winter, Frank Hamblen, Bill Bertka, Mitch Kupchak, Jim Cleamons and Phil Jackson.

The cost will be $325, per session.  Net proceeds from the camps are used by the Lakers for charitable purposes.

Approximately 7,000 campers have attended Camp Lakers over the past ten years, and the camps have sold out every year.  It is anticipated that this year’s camps will sell out by late May.  For more information, please call the camp hotline at (310) 426-6055, email camps2010@la-lakers.com or visit the Lakers website at www.lakers.com. 

Dwight Howard Launches Dwight Howard Fund; Challenges Fans to Give Back

--Fund to initially target humanitarian efforts on Haitian youths affected by the earthquake--

ORLANDO, FL., April 14, 2010 – Dwight Howard, 2009 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and 4-time winner of the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award, is proud to launch his Dwight Howard Fund with the mission to help at-risk youths around the world.

The “Dwight Howard Fund” (DHF) was kicked off by the NBA player at his teammate, Adonal Foyle’s, Gala Dinner & Caribbean Fête for the Kerosene Lamp Foundation (KLF) in Orlando, Florida. Howard has tapped KLF to manage the fund on his behalf. Foyle, a recent inductee into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, founded KLF to empower youth to grow into healthy and well-educated adults.

“Adonal has been giving back for many years, so it felt great to partner with him on my new fund and benefit from his experience,” said Howard. “I’m excited to make a difference for kids in Haiti, and I’ll be counting on my fans to help me make some great things happen.”

Howard has made an initial personal investment of $100,000 to directly help at-risk Haitian children affected most by January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti.

“I was personally moved to do something international after spending time in South Africa last summer and finding out the impact I can make on kids from a different culture and place,” said Dwight Howard. “Haiti seemed like the perfect place to start and a place that really needs the help. They were a poor country and then they had the devastating earthquake, so they need a lot of help. There have been a lot of relief efforts in Haiti already but there’s still a lot of work to do there, especially with the children.”

DHF will commence with an online fundraising campaign to help match Howard’s personal contribution for Haiti. For a minimum donation of $2.99, Howard’s fans will have the opportunity to win a once in a lifetime experience of a $500 Adidas shopping spree with Dwight Howard himself. Winners will be chosen based on those who recruit the most other donors in addition to the selection of a random winner. Visit www.dwighthowardfund.org or www.pinkdingo.com/dhf for details and to donate.


About Kerosene Lamp Foundation (KLF)
KLF was founded by Adonal Foyle, a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and professional basketball player to empower youth to grow into healthy and well-educated adults. KLF uses basketball as a bridge to the next generation, promoting education and health awareness, providing free basketball clinics and building/refurbishing basketball courts to more than 2,500 youth since its inception. KLF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please visit www.kerosenelampfoundation.org for more information. 

Kobe And The Kids: A Lovefest

Over the last several seasons, Kobe has continued to show that he is the best basketball player in the world, evidenced by last season's MVP award.

As impressive as he has been on the court, I am more impressed by his off-the-court initiatives. Kobe has done a remarkable job of remodeling his image since his issues in Colorado a few years back. He's come back out of that protective shell to reveal that multi-million dollar smile.

However, his smile pales in comparison to the smiles I have seen him produce on the faces of countless youngsters all over the world. From LA to Beijing, kids love Kobe and he seems to genuinely love them right back.

If he's not donating money and equipment to various causes, he's giving something even more valuable--his time!

Check out this story from the Chicago Tribune about a recent visit by Kobe to a Chicago after-school program.

Don't Just Talk About It, Be About It

I had actually thought about completely ignoring the story about Josh Howard's controversial comments during a recent rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. I have made a point in my life to disregard as much stupidity as possible.

However, since the backlash from Howard's comments and actions have been somewhat harsh and definitely plentiful, I have decided to share my comments with you. But before I give you my take on the much larger issue, check out what some of my colleagues recently wrote about this matter.

ESPN.com's JA Adande: ”If you're going to exercise your First Amendment right to free speech, have something worthwhile to say. In the end, our country respects those who take a principled stand. That's why Muhammad Ali, who had his heavyweight championship belts snatched away when he refused to fight in the Vietnam War, was given the honor of lighting the flame at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta more than a quarter-century later. And four decades after sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith bowed their heads and raised black-gloved fists during "The Star-Spangled Banner," there are statues of them on a college campus and they received a standing ovation when they were handed an ESPY award."

SLAM Magazine's Vincent Thomas: ”No matter your access or ascension, there are too many things blacks encounter that remind them of one sobering idea: 'No matter who/what/where you are — to some people, you’re still just a nigger.' Take as much time as you need to swallow that.”

Both opinions are very well-written and raised interesting, thought-provoking points. And if you think Thomas is a bit off-base with his statement, you should have read some of the comments on Mark Cuban's blog--before they took it down-- to fully understand why some black people feel the way Thomas describes.

However, my main issue with Howard's "protest" is that there seems to be a hollowness behind his words. Is he just running his mouth, or is he on the verge of doing something to correct the injustice he feels?

If we truly aren't where we are supposed to be as a people, what are we, as a people, prepared to do about it? Disrespecting the Star-Spangled Banner won't do it. Telling the world you smoke weed won't do it. Dressing and acting more like convicted criminals instead of successful professional college graduates won't do it. And not voting won't do it.

So, what are WE prepared to do? Are we honoring the legacy of our ancestors by sitting in front of the bus and the classroom? Are we using our college educations to help others go to college? Are we teaching our children personal and financial responsibility? Are we taking time out of our lives to volunteer at an adult literacy program? Are we finding at-risk students and setting them up with mentors?

What are WE doing, black people?

My feeling is this: If are you just about talking noise about the white man and what the black man can or can't do, and you aren't trying to do anything about the current situation, I might as well be deaf to you because I ain't hearin' ya!!

Don't talk about it. BE about it!!

We have way too many successful black people in this country who not only have the means, but the INFLUENCE to really make a change, but the one thing too many of us don't seem to have is the CARE to make a difference.

JUSTIN SPEIER NAMED ANGELS’ RECIPIENT OF THE 2008 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHEVY

Justin Speier today was named the Angels’ recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. He is one of 30 Major League Club nominees for the national 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community.

Tomorrow will mark the seventh annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball in 2002 to honor the legacy of Roberto Clemente.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy, is part of Chevy’s official sponsorship of Major League Baseball, and recognizes those players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams.

The award is named for Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. This award perpetuates Clemente’s legacy and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the selection of the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy. From September 3rd through October 5th, 2008, fans can log on to www.chevy.com/clemente and vote for one of the 30 Club nominees.

Speier makes a continuous effort throughout the season to reach out to the local community making numerous visits to young patients at local children’s hospitals and hosting children from the Make A Wish Foundation at Angel Stadium. Speier also participated in the Challenger League Youth Baseball Tournament held at Angel Stadium last November, working with children with physical disabilities for a day of baseball and fun at the ballpark.

A former Marine, Speier also continues to reach out to recognize members of the military. Speier spent a day at sea during the offseason visiting the crew aboard the USS Nimitz as well as paying a visit to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland to meet with soldiers injured while serving our country.

Speier will be honored during pregame ceremonies at Angel Stadium prior to the Friday, September 12th game vs. the Seattle Mariners.

The fan vote winner will be tallied as one vote among those cast by the selection panel, which includes Vera Clemente, wife of the late Hall of Famer, and Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Participating fans automatically will be registered for a chance to win a trip to Game Three of the 2008 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy will be announced.

As the official sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award, Chevy will donate $7,500 to the charity of choice of each of the 30 Club recipients. Chevy also will donate $30,000 and a Chevy vehicle to the national winner’s charity of choice and an additional $30,000 will be donated by Chevy to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a not-for-profit organization in Carolina, Puerto Rico, designed to provide recreational sports activities for children.

ANTONIO GATES AMONG NFL PLAYERS LEADING NFL PLAY 60 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Campaign Helps Kids Get Moving As Part of Youth Health and Fitness Campaign

DREW BREES and ELI MANNING are used to calling plays on the field. This season, they also will be helping kids call the shots when it comes to their health as part of the NFL’s new public service announcements. Joined by Chargers tight end ANTONIO GATES, the players are working with youngsters as part of NFL PLAY 60: The NFL Movement for an Active Generation, which focuses on the health and wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.

Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning of the New York Giants filmed his PSA with children from the St. Vincent’s Hospital system during a special visit to the Meadowlands in New York. Manning treated his guests to a tour of the Giants locker room and home field, and then helped them get active through warm-ups and a series of football drills.

“The health and fitness of our youth continues to be a priority for the NFL, and it’s important to me,” said New Orleans Saints quarterback Brees, who took to the water to film his PSA accompanied by 30 children from local hospitals. The annual “Brees on the Seas” fishing event, organized by the Brees Dream Foundation, enabled children to fish with Brees and his teammates and explore the great outdoors in Louisiana. The day culminated in a game of backyard football.

Vikings Pro Bowl player Adrian Peterson joined his teammates and 40 Special Olympians for his PSA at a special Punt, Pass and Kick event. The event was made possible by the Vikings and Peterson's All-Day Foundation. After watching the Vikings practice, the Special Olympians got the chance to take the field themselves, practicing drills with Peterson and participating in the PPK competition.

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of partner organizations — Action for Healthy Kids, Ad Council, American Heart Association, Gatorade, Home Depot, Kellogg’s, National Dairy Council, Nickelodeon, Nike, United Way, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to these national PSAs produced by NFL Films, PLAY 60 also will be implemented locally as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs, from youth football to “What Moves U.”

This season’s new United Way NFL messages also focus on youth health and fitness. SANTANA MOSS of the Washington Redskins, BOB SANDERS of the Indianapolis Colts, and DONTE WHITNER of the Buffalo Bills all get physically fit with kids and emphasize the importance of good health. The United Way PSAs debut on August 14.

Other players involved in NFL Play 60 include: ADRIAN PETERSON (Minnesota Vikings); GARY BAXTER (Cleveland Browns); TOM BRADY (New England Patriots); REGGIE BUSH (New Orleans Saints); ROBERTO GARZA (Chicago Bears); STEVEN JACKSON (St. Louis Rams), and TONY ROMO and JASON WITTEN (Dallas Cowboys). New York Jets COACH ERIC MANGINI is the official “coach motivator” for PLAY 60. His online messages on NFLRUSH.com will encourage kids to get and stay healthy.

“We are taking a leadership role in the movement to get youngsters fit. Our players know the importance of staying healthy and it’s important that young fans also understand the value of exercise,” said COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL. “Play 60 is an important tool in ensuring that children get their necessary daily physical activity as recommended by health and fitness experts.”

Kids and parents can learn more on NFLRUSH.com.


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Ex-UCLA Women's Basketball Standout Quinn Returns The Favor To Her Community

Too often in sports we concentrate on the small faction of athletes who get into trouble away from their respective sports. As the old saying goes, "Bad news sells!" However, trust me when I say this, the overwhelming majority of athletes do not get arrested on a regular basis or curse out fans in public. They are much more likely to be involved in some type of community service rather than illegal activity. I just wished more media outlets presented these stories to the general public, and I wish more of the general public clamored to hear these stories.

Here's a great example of an athlete doing something to give back to her community. And you don't have to be a superstar to make a difference. This story by Jill Painter appeared recently in the Los Angeles Daily News.

By Jill Painter, columnist

Noelle Quinn was counting down the days until her trip home to Los Angeles via her computer's instant messenger.

But this trip was more special than most.

Quinn, the Minnesota Lynx guard who grew up in LosAngeles and starred at UCLA, helped hand out 25-pound boxes of food to families, many of whom she has known for years, on Wednesday.

The event, which backed up traffic on Vermont Avenue across the street from USC, was held in the parking lot at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, the church Quinn has attended all her life. She went to preschool there, too.

Folks were there to meet Quinn and accept some help in the form of canned foods and toiletries.

"Since I landed in L.A., I've had a smile," Quinn said. "I'm happy to be back. It's an opportunity to give to the community. I didn't know what to expect. I'm happy people were able to come out and that I was able to see some happy faces.

"They were amazed to see me, but at the same time, it was amazing to see them."

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_9771586