Imagine sitting in class with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, a five-time AFC All-Star. Picture a chalk talk with quarterbacks Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings, Joey Harrington of the Detroit Lions, or Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals.
That will be the scene in each NFL city this fall as one lucky student and his or her class will be joined by a player (see complete list below) as part of NFL Take a Player to School presented by JCPenney Afterschool.
Players will visit the schools on Tuesday, October 19 or Tuesday, October 26 and will speak with the students about the importance of education and afterschool programs.
Children ages six through 13, an age group most in need of afterschool programs, will be eligible to win the contest by filling out entry forms available in all JCPenney stores nationwide now through September 20. One winning child will be selected in each of the 32 NFL markets and one non-NFL market to "Take a Player to School." Winners will be announced the week of October 8.
"I am pleased to be part of this effort to encourage students to stay in school and participate in afterschool programs," said McNabb, the NFL's national spokesperson for the program. "There is nothing more important in America than our youth, and we need to give young people every opportunity and inspiration to succeed."
"JCPenney's partnership with the NFL is designed to provide youth with the opportunity to learn from some of our country's top role models," said Vanessa Castagna, President of JCPenney Afterschool and Chairman and CEO of JCPenney stores, catalog and Internet. "This initiative will help promote the importance of education and afterschool programs nationwide."
McNabb is featured in the program's national media campaign which includes three television spots, three radio ads, and two gatefold print advertisements. More information and video of the commercials are available on NFLyouthfootball.com.
In support of the need for afterschool programs throughout the country, NFL Charities this year will award $1.5 million in grants for afterschool education. JCPenney Afterschool has contributed more than $34 million since 1999 to support educational programs, physical fitness initiatives and personal development projects in afterschool centers nationwide.
Following is a list of players participating in NFL Take a Player to School presented by JCPenney Afterschool:
Team, Player
Arizona, QB Josh McCown
Atlanta, RB Warrick Dunn
Baltimore, S Ed Reed
Buffalo, P Brian Moorman
Carolina, DT Brentson Buckner
Chicago, SS Michael Green
Cincinnati, QB Carson Palmer
Cleveland, WR Andre' Davis
Dallas, TE Jason Witten
Denver, QB Jake Plummer
Detroit, QB Joey Harrington
Green Bay, RB Ahman Green
Houston, FB Moran Norris
Indianapolis, DT Montae Reagor
Jacksonville, T Ephraim Salaam
Kansas City, TE Tony Gonzalez
Miami, CB Sam Madison
Minnesota, QB Daunte Culpepper
New England, S Je'Rod Cherry
New Orleans, QB Aaron Brooks
NY Giants, DE Michael Strahan
NY Jets, WR Santana Moss
Oakland, DT Warren Sapp
Philadelphia, QB Donovan McNabb
Pittsburgh, RB Jerome Bettis
San Diego, LB Donnie Edwards
San Francisco, WR Brandon Lloyd
Seattle, RB Shaun Alexander
St. Louis, WR Torry Holt
Tampa Bay, LB Derrick Brooks
Tennessee, CB Samari Rolle
Washington, T Jon Jansen
