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Ford Sponsors Football Clinics for Inner-City Boys

29 June 1998

Ford Sponsors Football Clinics for Inner-City Boys

    DETROIT, June 29 -- Young boys and teens will tackle skills
necessary for life, thanks to a program sponsored by the NFL and Ford
Division, a division of Ford Motor Company .
    The NFL C.I.T.Y. Football Junior Player Development Program, a series of
free instructional football clinics, will be offered to inner-city boys ages
12-14 in nine cities with NFL teams.  The summer clinics, which kick off
July 6 in Chicago, will be taught by NFL coaches, former and present NFL
players, local high school coaches, teachers and community leaders.  Winter
and spring clinics also will be offered.  Youngsters from area Police Athletic
Leagues will be eligible for the program.
    "This program involves more than football," said Darryl Hazel, general
marketing manager for Ford Division.  "Our sponsorship helps provide pre-teens
and teens with instruction on life skills such as discipline and teamwork.
We're also encouraging our employees and dealers to become NFL C.I.T.Y.
volunteers, who will serve as role models for kids in the program."
    Scott Landcaster, senior director of youth programs for the NFL, said,
"With Ford's support, more than 3,000 kids will have an opportunity to
participate in this year-round activity.  This program gives young teenage
boys a chance to learn how to play football with some outstanding
instruction."
    Present and former NFL players and coaches will be guest speakers at the
clinics.  Every clinic will highlight one life-skill message which will be
presented in every drill, followed by a motivational talk by the guest
speaker.  Participants will take part in several mentoring sessions during the
year.
    Football instruction, which will be given by local high school football
coaches, will be non-contact and without pads.  Camps will be held at local
high schools or parks and recreation facilities and will accommodate up to 200
kids.  Camps will be conducted on two weeknights or weekdays per city with
several camps in some cities.  Boys involved in the program will be eligible
for youth tackle programs and follow-up clinic sessions.
    As a part of this program, Ford will recognize one high school football
player every month for his athletic and academic achievements.  Winners will
be announced during a televised NFL game.  One national winner will be invited
to the 1999 Super Bowl in Miami and will receive a college scholarship.
    Cities where NFL C.I.T.Y. clinics will be offered include:

    Atlanta, July 7-8
    Boston, TBD
    Chicago, July 6-7
    Detroit, July 16-17
    Miami, July 14-15, 28-29
    New Orleans, July 14-15
    New York, July 13-16, 22-23, 27-28
    Oakland, July 8-9, 14-15
    Washington, D.C., July 8-9