Packers finalists qualify for NFL Punt, Pass and Kick national finals

Forty young athletes from across the country will compete in the NFL PUNT, PASS & KICK National Finals on Saturday, Jan. 11, in Denver during the weekend of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game. A special on-field award presentation will air after the third quarter of the game, which will be televised Jan. 12 on CBS.

The Green Bay Packers' representatives, Marco Damiani, Cambridge, Wis.; Curtis Flannick, Menomonee Falls, Wis.; and Jenna Curtis, Webster, Wis., will be competing after winning their age divisions in the Packers' team championship competition, Dec. 8, in the Don Hutson Center.

Finalists will compete separately in five age divisions at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., with the top scorer in each group crowned national champion. All participants launch two punts, two passes and two kicks with scores based on distance and accuracy (in feet). The best score from each activity is tabulated to determine the athlete's total. All youngsters advanced to the national finals through local, sectional and team championship competitions held throughout the NFL regular season. The top four scorers in each age group from across the country qualified as national finalists.

NFL Punt, Pass & Kick, which began in 1961, is celebrating its 52nd anniversary. It is the nation's largest grassroots sports skills competition. NFL stars – including Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks TROY AIKMAN and DAN MARINO – competed in the Punt, Pass & Kick program as youngsters.

"The NFL Punt, Pass & Kick program gives girls and boys around the country a way to stay healthy and active and to learn the basic skills of football," USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. USA Football is the official youth development partner of the NFL and all 32 teams. "We are pleased to see so many of our young fans learning about football through this program."

All participants and their guests are provided airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers.

Finalists are listed along with the NFL team that hosted their regional competition:

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Boys 6-7

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Girls 6-7

Boys 8-9

Girls 8-9

Boys 10-11

Girls 10-11

Boys 12-13

Girls 12-13

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Boys 14-15

Girls 14-15

NFL Punt, Pass and Kick is part of NFL Youth Football, which provides ways for children to play, watch and experience the game of football. For more information, visit www.NFLPPK.com. For other NFL PLAY 60 youth programs, visit www.NFLRUSH.com.