SAN DIEGO >> The goal is greater interest in the sport of football. The NFL has already gone global with NFL Europe. NFL reaches out
to nation’s youth
At the Super Bowl
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comNow the league is making a concerted effort to reach America's youth. The NFL has endowed a new organization called USA Football.
"We wanted a program to promote youth football in this country," said Cedrick Jones, who will be the inaugural director for USA Football. "This is about working as a steward of the sport, increasing player participation and development, helping coaches and keeping the sport safe."
The NFL already sponsors three programs: the Punt, Pass & Kick national competition, NFL Flag for ages 8-14 and NFL Juniors for ages 15-18. The latter is to help with player development.
Jones, who played nine years for the New England Patriots (1982-90), has three boys who all play football. But, he says, football is for both boys and girls.
"We encourage girls to play," Jones said. "I believe there may be a woman in the NFL some day."
In conjunction with the new USA Football program, the NFL has invited all of the Pop Warner players on Oahu to the Pro Bowl Experience on Feb. 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The NFL has also invited the Kalani Falcons football team to the Pro Bowl. The Falcons recently won the sportsmanship award at the Pop Warner Division II Super Bowl.
Payton award to Vincent: Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent was named the winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award yesterday, recognizing Vincent's community service.
"Troy Vincent is an amazing leader who uses his platform of football to help people," said NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue during the awards ceremony yesterday. "He especially has a passion for youth football and is now on the board of directors for Pop Warner."
Vincent will be in Honolulu next week after being named to his fourth Pro Bowl.
"It is very important to me to be involved in the community," Vincent said. "I feel it is my responsibility to go out and help less-fortunate people. It is very easy to just write a check to help out a cause or organization, but what is important to me is being involved and helping people."
Vincent established the Troy Vincent Foundation to provide assistance to troubled young people. The foundation's goals include teaching youngsters the skills they will need to care for themselves and their families, as well as helping them improve their lives and ensure that they stay away from crime.
He also established Troy Vincent Women's Athletics, an organization with the goal of enhancing women's athletics at the high school level in the Philadelphia area.
Vincent will receive $25,000 from NFL Charities to be donated to the charity of his choice. He was one of 32 finalists for this year's award and one of 160 players originally nominated.
On tap: Pro Football Hall of Fame officials will announce the Class of 2003 enshrinees this morning.
There are 15 finalists this year, including one former coach (Hank Stram), one general manager (George Young) and one owner (Ralph Wilson).
Up for induction are:
Running back Marcus Allen (Los Angeles Raiders, Kansas City); Defensive end Elvin Bethea (Houston); linebacker Harry Carson (New York Giants); guard Joe DeLamielleure (Buffalo, Cleveland); linebacker Randy Gradishar (Denver) and cornerback Lester Hayes (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders).
Also, defensive end Claude Humphrey (Atlanta, Philadelphia); guard Bob Kuechenberg (Miami); receiver James Lofton (Green Bay, Los Angeles Raiders, Buffalo, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia); receiver Art Monk (Washington, New York Jets, Philadelphia); quarterback Ken Stabler (Oakland, Houston, New Orleans); and tackle Gary Zimmerman (Minnesota, Denver).
The Green Bay Packers will play the Kansas City Chiefs in the annual Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.
Super Bowl