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Health-Oriented Letter From NFL Commissioner

brandmarkpr — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:17:33 +0000

A letter from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

Posted by Cam Inman on July 26th, 2012 at 4:44 pm

Dear NFL Fans:

The letter below was distributed today to all current and former NFL players, as well as team and league personnel. We will continue to update you on important league initiatives.

To All NFL Personnel:

There is no higher priority for the National Football League than the health and wellness of our players. It is for this reason that we are launching NFL Total Wellness, a comprehensive new initiative for current and former NFL players, as well as league and team personnel. Its mission is to build on our programs and services that enhance the physical and mental health of our people.

NFL Total Wellness will empower players to make positive health decisions; promote help-seeking behaviors in connection with behavioral and mental health issues; provide education on family safety; and enhance transition programs that help players adjust to new stages of life.

Dr. David Satcher, former Surgeon General of the United States and current director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, will advise NFL Total Wellness. Dr. Satcher has already conducted 14 mental health forums over the past two years for former NFL players and their families. He will expand his role to facilitate more wellness events across the country. He also will provide online webinars on www.nflplayerengagement.com and consult with the NFL on its health programs and services.

Leading the NFL Total Wellness initiative will be NFL executives Robert Gulliver and Troy Vincent. Gulliver, the NFL’s Chief Human Resources Officer, joined the league in 2010, having previously held senior HR leadership roles at Wells Fargo & Company. Vincent, the vice president of NFL Player Engagement, is a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback and former president of the NFL Players Association (2004-2008).

Members of our NFL family are not immune to the challenges that all individuals face.

One new service, NFL Life Line, launches today as part of our support system. NFL Life Line is a free, independent and confidential phone consultation service and website available to all members of the NFL family, including current and former players, coaches, team and league staff, and their family members. This type of employee assistance service is considered a model for companies across all sectors.

The NFL Life Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. All calls will be strictly confidential and not shared with the league office, teams, or any related entity. To find out more, visit www.NFLLifeLine.org.

As we enter what promises to be a very exciting 2012 season, we stand by our commitment to the total wellness of our players and former players.

Sincerely,

Roger Goodell

* * *

Now here is a NFL-issued release on its new program:

NFL LAUNCHES NEW COMPREHENSIVE TOTAL WELLNESS PROGRAM

FOR CURRENT AND FORMER NFL PLAYERS

The National Football League announced today a new comprehensive health program for former and current players that will provide additional resources to address personal issues. NFL TOTAL WELLNESS builds upon current NFL programs and services that assist members of the NFL family with matters such as physical and mental health, family safety, lifestyle and transition into their post-NFL life.

The initiative was launched today at a meeting at the NFL office in New York that included COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL and DR. DAVID SATCHER, as well as representatives from GRIDIRON GREATS, the NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION and NFL PLAYER ENGAGEMENT.

DR. SATCHER, the 16^th Surgeon General of the United States and current director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, will broaden his role with the NFL and serve as a mental health advisor. Dr. Satcher has conducted 14 mental health forums for NFL retired players and their families the past two years and will facilitate more events across the country.

The NFL TOTAL WELLNESS platform will help empower players to make positive health decisions; promote support-seeking behaviors in connection with behavioral and mental health issues; and provide health and safety education for players and all members of their support network, including spouses, parents, and children. The platform will expand on a number of NFL Player Engagement programs and service offerings.

Among the program’s services is NFL LIFE LINE, a new free, independent and confidential 24/7/365 phone consultation service and website developed and manned by third-party mental health professionals. NFL LIFE LINE provides support to all members of the NFL family in times of need and will be administrated by a group of national mental health experts that also operates a program for military service members with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In an email today to more than 11,000 current and former players, plus club and league staff, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “There is no higher priority for the National Football League than the health and wellness of our players. Members of our community are not immune to the challenges that all individuals face. As we enter what promises to be a very exciting 2012 season, we stand by our commitment to the total wellness of our current and former players. This service is here for you.”

Leading the NFL TOTAL WELLNESS program will be NFL executives ROBERT GULLIVER and TROY VINCENT.

Gulliver, the NFL’s executive vice president of human resources/chief diversity officer, is a graduate of Cornell University and the Dartmouth College-Tuck School of Business. He held a similar position at Wells Fargo & Company before joining the NFL in 2010. During his tenure at the NFL, Gulliver has enhanced the NFL office’s employee assistance and career development programs.

Vincent, the vice president of NFL Player Engagement, is a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback and former president of the NFL Players Association (2004-2008). Vincent has run the NFL Player Engagement department since joining the league office in 2010. NFL Player Engagement will continue to provide players with advice, insight and practical tools to enable them to thrive at all points of their career development — as they enter the league, during their playing career and as they transition out of the game.

Gulliver and Vincent will establish an advisory board that will include former players and coaches and medical professionals. This board will assist in developing a training program for peer counselors and transition coaches.

Peer counselors and transition coaches will focus on post-career education/job training, special Player Engagement programs (Broadcast Boot Camp, Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program), medical and emotional needs, and providing information regarding benefit programs and assistance in obtaining benefits. In addition, players will learn about local alumni chapters, youth football, and other opportunities to stay involved in the game.

The NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION, a 501 (c) (3) charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of former players, will build upon its national health screening program that provides cardiovascular and prostate evaluations to former players. Pro Football Hall of Fame member DICK BUTKUS will serve as an ambassador for the program, which stresses the importance of heart and prostate health care. The screening program annually visits10 NFL cities and has served more than 1,000 former players, and in a number of instances, provided lifesaving medical information. Dr. Satcher also will contribute to the program.

ABOUT NFL LIFE LINE

NFL LIFE LINE is a phone consultation and web-based service (www.NFLlifeline.org) for all members of the NFL family, including current and former NFL players, coaching personnel, NFL and team staff and their family members.

This free, independent and confidential resource was developed and will be administered by LINK2HEALTH SOLUTIONS and a coalition of leaders in the mental health area, including THE JED FOUNDATION.

The NFL is funding NFL LIFE LINE but will not play any role in administering the independent service. All calls and visits to the website will remain 100 percent confidential.

The site will include a variety of interactive features, including information on signs of a crisis, symptoms and care for common mental health problems and a list of available NFL programs to assist active and former NFL players and their families. The site also will have a self-assessment quiz and confidential online chat capabilities.

The site also features special video messages from NFL greats – including CRIS CARTER, BRETT FAVRE, MICHAEL IRVIN, JEVON KEARSE, MICHAEL STRAHAN,and HERSCHEL WALKER. The video pieces were filmed last month and include these players telling their fellow players that they are not alone and to utilize available resources to get help.

ABOUT DR. SATCHER and WELLNESS FORUMS

Building on the success of the past two years in which Dr. Satcher and the NFL conducted 14 seminars throughout the country, Dr. Satcher will host a series of free wellness forums in cities throughout the country where there are large clusters of NFL retired players and their family members. Dr. Satcher will provide an overview on mental health issues and also be available for private consultations.

In addition, Dr. Satcher will be featured in the NFL’s Player Engagement website, www.nflplayerengagement.com. He will participate in online webinars and provide information to keep retired players and their families informed and updated on mental health issues. He will consult with the NFL’s Player Engagement department and provide input on health programs and services.

ABOUT THE NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION

The NFL Player Care Foundation (www.nflplayercare.com) was established as a 501( c) (3) charity in 2007 committed to improving the quality of life for the disadvantaged and distressed former players and supporting the funding of sports-related medical research. Since its inception, PCF has granted more than $2.8 million toward medical research that has funded the cardiovascular and prostate screening program and more than $4 million to qualifying former players with medical needs who are experiencing financial hardship.

Josh Howard’s 2012 All Day Basketball Camp and Celebrity Weekend

brandmarketingprinfo — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:56:49 +0000

Announcement By: Justine Jones

The Josh Howard Foundation will be having their all day basketball camp for boys & girls ages 8yrs and up, starting June 18 – 22, 2012. The camp will cover such drills as: Shooting Techniques, Defense, Ball Handling, Rebounding, Passing, Strength, Agility, Life Skills and Station Work. Also with the camp package includes: T-shirts, Lunches, Door Prizes and Autograph session with Josh Howard, Vince Carter, Kenyon Martin, DeSagana Diop, and Trevor Booker whom all will be volunteering for the camp.

To Register, go to www.joshhowardfoundation.com

What: 2012 Josh Howard ALL-DAY Basketball Camp – Dallas
Date: June 18-22, 2012
Time: 9am-4pm

Location: Sportsplex at Valley view
5702 Alpha Road
Dallas, TX 75240
www.sportsplexvvl.com

For Celebrity Weekend Event Tickets Go To: www.joshhowardweekend.com

Friday June 22, 2012 – Keeping in good stride with his weekend of events, the comedy show looks to be full of laughs. On June 22, 2012 hitting the stage will be comedians: Cedman, “Double D”, Vanessa Fraction, “Bruh Man” and Red Grant.

What: Josh Howard Comedy Show 2012
When: June 22, 2012- Doors Open at 6:30
Where: Palladium Ballroom 1135 S. Lamar St Dallas, TX

Saturday June 23, 2012: Josh Howard and his foundation will be hosting his annual celebrity basketball game. This year’s game will be played at the P.C. Cobb Complex located in downtown Dallas. Competing players thus far include: Terrell Owens, Dez Bryant, Kenyon Martin, Marcus Spears, Marquise Daniels and Rocsi to name a few.

What: Josh Howard Celebrity Basketball Game
When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Where: P.C. Cobb Complex 1702 Cullum Blvd. Dallas, TX (downtown)

The Josh Howard Foundation Mission Statement
The Josh Howard Foundation is dedicated to helping to improve the quality of life of economically challenged communities by utilizing programs and services that focus on academic improvement, community outreach, and athletic and fitness training.

The Josh Howard Foundation Vision Statement
The Josh Howard Foundation is committed to having an active role in uplifting the community. Our innovative programs will help youth to become well-rounded citizens and enhance the quality of life of our senior citizens and the community as a whole.

For more information please visit: www.joshhowardfoundation.com & www.joshhowardweekend.com

Nina Zavala
Event Publicist
214.724.2435
nzavala@willis-woy.com

Josh Howard’s 2012 All Day Basketball Camp and Celebrity Weekend

brandmarkpr — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:40:21 +0000

To Register, go to www.joshhowardfoundation.com

What: 2012 Josh Howard ALL-DAY Basketball Camp – Dallas
Date: June 18-22, 2012
Time: 9am-4pm

Location: Sportsplex at Valley view
5702 Alpha Road
Dallas, TX 75240
www.sportsplexvvl.com

For Celebrity Weekend Event Tickets Go To: www.joshhowardweekend.com

What: Josh Howard Comedy Show 2012
When: June 22, 2012- Doors Open at 6:30
Where: Palladium Ballroom 1135 S. Lamar St Dallas, TX

What: Josh Howard Celebrity Basketball Game
When: Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Where: P.C. Cobb Complex 1702 Cullum Blvd. Dallas, TX (downtown)

For more information please visit: www.joshhowardfoundation.com & www.joshhowardweekend.com

Nina Zavala
Event Publicist
214.724.2435
nzavala@willis-woy.com

Trevor Booker & Josh Howard's Tru-Ballers 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament

brandmarketingprinfo — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:11:19 +0000

NBA’s Trevor Booker and Josh Howard are bringing their 5 on 5 basketball tournament back to Mauldin, SC

The city of Mauldin is preparing for yet another unforgettable weekend as NBA star’s Trevor Booker and Josh Howardhost their 2nd annual 5 on 5 basketball tournament. Sparking a buzz thought-out the Midwest, teams from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, DC, Maryland, Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, and other areas will be participating in this years’ event. The Tru-Ballers 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament will be held June 8-10 at the Mauldin Recreation Center in Mauldin, South Carolina.

Presented by Spinx, Tru-Ballers 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament emerged as a traditional event originating from Kevin Garret, and is now a collaborative effort carried on by Trevor Booker and The Josh Howard Foundation. Creating a competitive atmosphere with a double elimination each game, is like a playoff game because the “winner takes all” and in this instance $5,000. Proceeds raised during this eventful weekend will help build an “inclusive playground” at Sunset Park in Mauldin, for children with disabilities.
“Just as the motto for the Mauldin Miracle League baseball program states that “Every child deserves a chance to play baseball” your donations to this tournament will ensure that “Every child deserves a chance to play”- Mayor Dennis Raines, City of Mauldin

For more information call 202-600-0623 or email truballers5on5@gmail.com
What: Trevor Booker & Josh Howard Tru-Ballers 5on5 Basketball Tournament
When: June 8-10, 2012
Where: Mauldin Recreation Center, 10 City Center Drive Mauldin, SC 29662

Nina Zavala
Event Publicist
nzavala@willis-woy.com

Update – 4th Annual Ballin’ with the Boys

brandmarketingprinfo — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:57 +0000

Press Release By: Nina Zavala

Current & former Dallas Cowboys legends, NFL and NBA players host this years’ charity basketball game benefiting Salvation Army-Cedar Crest, Euless Loaves, Fishes Foundation and Friendship West Baptist Church.

Dallas is gearing up for one of its most anticipated events of the year, The 4th Annual Ballin’ with the Boys Charity Basketball Game. As the project gains momentum, many of the initial participants continue to support while several new supporters have emerged. The game will be held Thursday May 31st, 2012 6:30 p.m. at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton.

This year the celebrity showcase is guaranteed to draw a crowd when some of the biggest names in sports hang up their cleats and go head to head for a great cause. Fans and sport enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience a competitive charity basketball game, celebrity autograph signings, photo ops, a half-time Powerade slam dunk contest and live entertainment. These are just a few of the attractions that will not only make this event appeal to all ages but make it one to remember.

“Since the game started in 2009 it’s always been about bringing the fans and the players together for a common charitable goal. We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with various charities over the years and with the players & fans working together it will always be an event that continues to raise money for local and national causes.”- Bryan Lockhart- Executive Producer- Ballin with the Boys.

The 2012 confirmed celebrity participants include: Dallas Cowboy Legends Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Ring of Honor member Drew Pearson, 3x Super Bowl Champs Leon Lett & Kevin Smith, Patrick Crayton and Anthony Henry; Current Dallas Cowboys: DeMarco Murray, Orlando Scandrick, Lawrence Vickers, Anthony Spencer, Jason Hatcher, John Phillips, Jesse Holley, and Dwayne Harris. NFLer’s: Titans’ Shaun Smith and 49ers’ Perrish Cox; NBA star Josh Howard and Dallas Mavericks’ Dominque Jones; National Recording artist “Dorrough”, and Dallas hometown celebrities K104 radio personalities Lady Jade, Bay Bay, and Cat Daddy.

2012 Sponsors include: 105.3 The Fan, K104 f.m., Mega 107.5 f.m., Powerade, Red Bull, Aarons, Van Chevrolet, and Interstate Wire.

What: 4th Annual Ballin with the Boys Charity Basketball Game

Where: R.L Turner High School 1600 South Josey Lane Carrollton, TX 75006

When: Thursday May31st, 2012, Autograph Session-6:30 p.m. Game Starts- 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the event visit http://www.ballinwiththeboys.com

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Bryan Lockhart

Executive Event Producer

info@ballinwiththeboys.com

Nina Zavala

Willis & Woy Media Group

Event Publicist

nzavala@willis-woy,com

Josh Howard Brings Comedy To Dallas, Texas

brandmarketingprinfo — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:15:45 +0000

Announcement By: Justine Jones

Keeping in good stride with his week long of events, the comedy show looks to be full of laughs. On June 22, 2012 hitting the stage will be comedians: Cedman, “Double D”, Vanessa Fraction, “Bruh Man” and Red Grant.

What: Josh Howard Comedy Show 2012

When: June 22, 2012 – Doors Open At: 6:30

Where: Palladium Ballroom, 1135 S. Lamar Street, Dallas, Texas

For more information please visit http://joshhowardfoundation.com/site/ & http://www.joshhowardweekend.com/

Powerade Among List Of Sponsors for the Ballin With The Boys IV Fundraiser

brandmarketingprinfo — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:58:35 +0000

Announcement By: Justine Jones

As game day approaches, sports beverage POWERADE is preparing to keep the players and fans hydrated, give the attendee’s an awesome half time “slam dunk” contest, free products and gift bags to this year’s event.

DALLAS (May 18, 2012) – This year POWERADE will be one of the featured sponsor at this year’s 4TH annual “Ballin’ with the Boys” charity fundraising game. The annual event is designed to pit former Dallas Cowboys legends against current Dallas Cowboys standouts in an hour-long charity basketball tournament. Well this year’s teams now include various NFL & NBA players, national recording artists and celebrities, to help benefit worthy causes in the DFW communities. When speaking with the event publicist Nina Zavala, she shared this” It’s going be crazy! This year we have POWERADE on board as a sponsor and they have been just fantastic. Over the past couple weeks, we have designed exciting half-time event as well free promotional products, gift bags for the fans and they are also designing these years’ uniforms.” She continued with “confirmed players off the top of my are: Dallas Cowboys- Demarco Murray, Anthony Spencer, Sean Lee, John Phillips, and Jason Hatcher; San Francisco 49ers- Michael Crabtree & Perrish Cox, Former Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens, Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Tennessee Titans-Shaun Smith, Ring of Honor member Drew Pearson, 3x Super Bowl Champion Kevin Smith, 3x Super Bowl Champion Leon Lett, NBA star Josh Howard, and National Recording Artist “Dorrough.” With a strong line up like that it only makes since that POWERADE is the official sports beverage for the event.

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For more information about media, please contact:

Nina Zavala

Publicist

nzavala@willis-woy.com

Off: 214. 969. 7580

Cell: 214.724.2435

Fax: 214. 969. 5575

www.willis-woy.com

TICKETS/SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION:

For more information, contact them at info@ballinwiththeboys.com or

Call Bryan Lockhart at 972-375-4164