NFL Hosting Community Events Across Orlando for Pro Bowl Week

“Pro Bowl Community Huddle” Featuring Pro Bowl Players Participating in Day of Service

Multiple Youth Football Games and Events to be Held at ESPN Wide World of Sports

The impact of the 2020 PRO BOWL PRESENTED BY VERIZON will extend far beyond Camping World Stadium through the NFL’s many community and youth football events planned for Pro Bowl Week in Orlando. From flag football games to a greenhouse revitalization, thousands of local residents, children and their families will experience the positive impact and community spirit of Pro Bowl.

In celebration of the NFL’s 100th season volunteer initiative, Huddle for 100, the NFL will host a “PRO BOWL COMMUNITY HUDDLE” on Friday, January 24. NFL Pro Bowl players will partner with youth and local non-profit organizations in various activities supporting community service, youth football, the military community and sustainability efforts. Huddle for 100 is the NFL’s initiative that encourages people to donate 100 minutes of their time to total 100 million minutes volunteered in honor of the NFL’s 100th season.

Additionally, as part of Huddle for 100, the NFL will be hosting a book drive at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during Pro Bowl Experience from January 22-25. Fans are encouraged to bring new books for children ages 6-18, which will be donated to the Orlando Tupperware Brands Branch Boys and Girls Club where the NFL will host a refurbishment project as a part of the “Pro Bowl Community Huddle”.

Through the NFL FOUNDATION PRO BOWL GIVEBACK, Pro Bowl players on the winning team may apply for a $10,000 NFL Foundation grant to be donated to the high school or youth football program of their choice. Also, during two practices, Pro Bowl Players will be wearing special practice shirts adorned with the NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION logo. The shirts will be auctioned off via NFL Auction, and all the money raised will support retired players in need.

NFL fans in Florida have the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 raffle supporting the NFL Foundation and Character Playbook, the NFL and United Way’s digital education program helping middle school students learn how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships. Fans can enter online at probowl5050.com or if attending the 2020 Pro Bowl, can enter by finding sellers or kiosks throughout Camping World Stadium on game day.

The below outlines the community events taking place in Orlando throughout the week.

PRO BOWL WELCOME FOLLOWED BY HUDDLE GREENING PROJECT

To kick off the 2020 Pro Bowl Week festivities on Tuesday, January 21, the NFL will join the City of Orlando and Orange County to revitalize the greenhouse and beautify the campus at Jones High School (801 Rio Grande Ave) as part of the NFL’s Huddle for 100 initiative.

The volunteer work will kick off at 10:00 AM ET with brief remarks from attendees starting at 12:00 PM ET, including NFL Executive Vice President of Events and Club Business Development Peter O’Reilly, City of Orlando District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan, Verizon Sustainability Lead John Dorn and Director of NFL Green Jack Groh.

The opening remarks will be followed by a media availability with Washington Redskins Legend Darrell Green and Denver Broncos Legend Terrell Davis – both of which are honorary Pro Bowl 2020 Legends captains. Joining them will also be the Pro Bowl NFC Head Coach ​Pete Carroll and the AFC Head Coach John Harbaugh.

Following the press event volunteers will continue to refurbish the greenhouse and create community gardens, plant fruit trees and add mulch to beautify the campus. The newly revitalized greenhouse will enrich Jones High School’s agriculture training program, which is part of the school’s science curriculum.

Media – For more information, contact Jordyn White, NFL, Jordyn.White@nfl.com

NFL PLAY 60 CHARACTER CAMP

On Wednesday, January 22 from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET, the NFL will host a free Character Camp on Field 21 at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The event will include 300 youth from the Orlando area. The non-contact football camp will be led by Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz. The camp is part the NFL PLAY 60 Character Camps program, a partnership between the NFL and the Muñoz Agency.

The mission of the camps is to make a positive impact on youth around the country through teaching football skills, emphasizing exercise, and reinforcing the importance of character in athletics and life. This camp is hosted as part of the NFL’s year-round Hispanic outreach initiative, focused on offering youth opportunities to play and experience the game of football. Since the inception of NFL PLAY 60 Character Camps in 2012, over 90 camps have been held impacting nearly 30,000 youth across the country.

Media – For more information, contact Ryan Betscher, Muñoz Agency, ryan@munozagency.com, (513) 260-4072

SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED FOOTBALL SKILLS & DRILLS CHALLENGE

The NFL and Special Olympics will host a Unified Football Skills & Drills Challenge with nearly 100 Special Olympics Florida athletes inside the Pro Bowl Experience area at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Wednesday, January 22 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. The NFL and Special Olympics are committed to building inclusive communities and providing opportunities for athletes of all abilities to ‘NFL PLAY 60’ and participate in sports through Unified flag football, where individuals with and without intellectual disabilities unite to play flag football on the same team. NFL PLAY 60 is the league’s youth health and wellness platform to get kids across the country active for 60 minutes a day.

PLAY FOOTBALL OPENING NIGHT

On Thursday, January 23 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET at HP Field House, the NFL will host Play Football Opening Night. Play Football Opening Night is a youth and high school focused event for all NFL FLAG Championship teams and High School Skills Showdown athletes. More than 450 NFL FLAG participants, local middle and high school athletes, and NFL UK Academy students will have the opportunity to mix and mingle before the competition kicks off. Participants will interact with NFL players – current and Legends – Disney talent, Pro Bowl Mascots and Pro Bowl Cheerleaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interview sessions and various activities. These activities include but are not limited to: designated team interview areas & time slots, photo opportunities, gaming lounge, vertical jump and 40-yard dash, and trophy displays.

Media – For more information, contact Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers, NFL, Taylor.Kielpinski-Rogers@nfl.com or Kenyah Jordan-Jackson, NFL, Kenyah.Jordan-Jackson@nfl.com

“PRO BOWL COMMUNITY HUDDLE” – PRO BOWL PLAYERS DAY OF SERVICE

The NFL will be hosting its “Pro Bowl Community Huddle” consisting of multiple activations at three different locations: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the Tupperware Brands Branch Boys & Girls Club and the Children’s Safety Village on Friday, January 24, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET. The event will partner Pro Bowl players with local youth and non-profit organizations to support Community Service, Youth Football, Youth Health & Wellness and the Military Community.

Wide World of Sports Huddle For 100 Events

Pro Bowl Fan Huddle: For the first-time ever, fans will work alongside NFL Pro Bowl players to assemble bags benefitting three local Orlando organizations which include: The Children’s Home Society, Safehouse of Seminole, and Second Harvest of South Florida on Field 18 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. In addition, several Fuel Up to Play 60 student ambassadors will participate as Pro Bowl Fan Huddle station leaders and work alongside Pro Bowl players and fans during the event. Participation for fans is on a first come, first served basis.

NFL FLAG Games: The NFL FLAG Championship tournament will take place on Fields 16 and 17 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the “Pro Bowl Community Huddle”. Pro Bowl players will serve as honorary captains and will support youth flag football athletes as they compete for the championship title for their respective age division. Additional information on the tournament can be found below.

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Huddle*: NFL Pro Bowl players will work alongside 66 TAPS family members to build wooden American flags in honor of their fallen loved ones that served our country on Field 7 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. TAPS is a nonprofit organization that offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service. *This is a private event. It is open to media and closed to the public.

Wounded Warrior Project Flag Football Game: The NFL and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) will host a flag football game with Pro Bowl players and 60 veterans on Field 7 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The NFL partners with WWP to help provide wounded veterans and their families with free programs and resources that empower them to live their lives to the fullest, on their own terms. *This is a private event. It is open to media and closed to the public.

Media – For more information, contact Jordyn White, NFL, Jordyn.White@nfl.com

Boys & Girls Club Huddle for 100 Event*

As part of the “Pro Bowl Community Huddle” NFL Pro Bowl players will spend their morning at the Tupperware Brands Branch Boys & Girls Club working with youth on projects to refurbish and revitalize the center. In addition, NFL Pro Bowl players will work alongside high schoolers on mentoring-related activities. The Boys & Girls Club is located at 411 Dyer Blvd. Kissimmee, Fla.

Media – For more information, contact Jordyn White, NFL, Jordyn.White@nfl.com

Inspire Change Huddle Event*

As part of the “Pro Bowl Community Huddle” local Florida law enforcement and youth will team up with NFL Pro Bowl players on a community refurbishment project at the Children’s Safety Village, a center that provides important public safety educational resources to children in the area. The Children’s Safety Village is located at 910 Fairvilla Rd., Orlando Fla.

Media – For more information, contact Kelsey Boyd, NFL, Kelsey.Boyd@nfl.com

*This is a private event. It is open to media and closed to the public.

NFL FLAG CHAMPIONSHIP

NFL Flag Championship: The NFL FLAG Championship tournament will take place Friday, January 24 from 10:00 AM ET – 7:00 PM ET on Fields 25-28 at ESPN Wide World of Sports and SaturdayJanuary 25 from 2:00 PM ET – 4:00 PM ET on Fields 17 at ESPN Wide World of Sports. A total of 40 teams, consisting of boys and girls, ages nine to 14, will compete for the championship title for their respective age division.

Media – For more information, contact Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers, NFL, Taylor.Kielpinski-Rogers@nfl.com or Kenyah Jordan-Jackson, NFL, Kenyah.Jordan-Jackson@nfl.com

PLAY FOOTBALL HIGH SCHOOL SKILLS CHALLENGE

On FridayJanuary 24 at 5:00 PM ET, 55 high school graduating seniors from Orlando and surrounding areas, as well as NFL UK Academy students, will participate in the Play Football High Schools Skills Challenge at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Field 18. During the event, student-athletes will participate in ten position-specific drills, viral challenges and celebration dance-offs led by Pro Bowl players and NFL Legends.

Media – For more information, contact Taylor Kielpinski-Rogers, NFL, Taylor.Kielpinski-Rogers@nfl.com or Kenyah Jordan-Jackson, NFL, Kenyah.Jordan-Jackson@nfl.com

PLAY FOOTBALL MIDDLE SCHOOL 11-ON​

The Play Football Middle School 11-ON will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 1:00 PM ET. On Fields 17 and 18 at ESPN Wide World of Sports, the NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee will host an 11-ON tournament for boys ages 13-14. The Play Football Middle School 11-ON tournament will consist of a 7-vs-7 competition for skilled positions along with offensive and defensive lineman team competitions. Local teams will be invited to participate in the Middle School 11-ON. ​

Media – For more information, contact Kenyah Jordan-Jackson, NFL, Kenyah.Jordan-Jackson@nfl.com

‘NFL GREEN’ SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

The Huddle Greening Project on Tuesday, January 21st is one of several activations initiated by the NFL to respond to the environmental impact of Pro Bowl events and to leave a positive “green legacy” in the host community. Other NFL Green initiatives for Pro Bowl include:

Recycle & Win: Fans at Wide World of Sports who are caught in the act of recycling may receive a unique NFL 100th season hat and an opportunity to have their photo posted to NFL social media. The program, first implemented at Super Bowl LIII and the NFL Draft, rewards fans for recycling.

Food Recovery: The NFL is teaming with Second Harvest Food Bank and Disney Harvest to recover unserved, prepared food and beverages from Pro Bowl events and minimize food waste. Unserved, prepared food will be distributed to local shelters and community kitchens in Orlando.

Material Recovery: There will be an intensive drive to collect and donate all items left over from Pro Bowl events. In partnership with Salvation Army, the NFL will donate decorative materials, office supplies and other items that can be reused or repurposed. This project keeps material out of local landfills and turns it into valuable items for resale or reuse.

Renewable Energy Project: Camping World Stadium, the site of Pro Bowl 2020 will be powered using “green energy” to reduce the climate impact of Pro Bowl.

Solid Waste Management/Recycling: Comprehensive solid waste management is implemented at all major Pro Bowl facilities including Camping World Stadium and ESPN Wide World of Sports. Effective waste management and recycling efforts significantly reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. PepsiCo is providing recycle bins to Camping World Stadium and Wide World of Sports to help maximize recycling.

Reforestation: As part of the environmental program for Pro Bowl, Verizon is planting 1,500 trees in the Orlando area at the Withlacoochee River. In honor of the NFL’s 100th season, Verizon will also plant 10,000 trees (100 trees for each of the NFL’s 100 years) in Econfina River State Park to help reforest this area in the Florida Panhandle, and will plant 100,000 trees in Madagascar to restore ecologically devastated mangrove estuaries and forests and revive natural habitat for endangered animal species.

NFL Green has incorporated environmental projects into the management of Pro Bowl events for twenty years. The NFL Environmental Program is one of a significant number of community initiatives developed each year by the NFL to leave a positive legacy in the Pro Bowl host community.

Media – For more information, contact Jordyn White, NFL, Jordyn.White@nfl.com

Roy Kessel

Roy Kessel

Roy Kessel is the Founder of the Sports Philanthropy Network. Roy has worked in the sports business world for over 20 years including serving as an instructor in Northwestern University's graduate Sports Management Program. Having served as a sports lawyer representing athletes, entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, Roy has extensive experience helping organizations improve their strategy, marketing, communications and leadership development.
Sports Philanthropy Network

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