FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/20/17

NFL CELEBRATES PHILADELPHIA YOUTH AND HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COMMUNITY AT DRAFT

Series of Draft Week Events to Highlight Local Football Participants

The 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia will recognize youth and high school football players, coaches, administrators and programs in special ways, connecting the next generation to the newest members of the NFL family.

Draft Week events will include a Play Football Clinic, the first-ever NFL Draft 7-on-7 Tournament matching up local high school football teams and a Family Football Clinic, which will feature football-themed discussion panels with NFL representatives, including players, parents and medical personnel. New this year, Round 6 of the Draft will be youth football-themed.

The following are some ways the NFL will celebrate youth and high school football in Philadelphia. Media advisories with full details on each event will be issued throughout Draft Week.

Play Football Clinic, Play Football Field presented by Danimals, Benjamin Franklin Parkway A group of NFL Draft Prospects will lead 100 local children in a youth football clinic on Thursday, April 27 from 9 – 10 a.m. Participants will learn on-field techniques and receive instruction from prospects at various football skills and drills stations, including passing, receiving and agility.

Players will be available to the media for a limited time following the clinic.

NFL Draft prospects tentatively scheduled to attend are JAMAL ADAMS, , , HAASON REDDICK, CAM ROBINSON, DESHAUN WATSON and TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE. For a final list of prospects, please check NFLCommunications.com on the day of the event.

This event is open to media credentialed to cover the 2017 NFL Draft. Media interested in covering this event must RSVP to Ana Blinder ([email protected]).

NFL Draft High School 7-on-7 Tournament Football players representing eight local high school teams will participate in a single elimination 7- on-7 tournament on Friday, April 28 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the South Philadelphia Supersite (2926 S. 10th St). A character development speech led by JORDAN MATTHEWS and Philadelphia Eagles Legend JASON AVANT will take place between games at approximately 7 p.m.

The two remaining teams will face off in the tournament final on Saturday, April 29 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Play Football Field Presented by Danimals at the NFL Draft Experience. The tournament champions will appear onstage during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Round 7 pick selection at the NFL Draft Theater later that afternoon.

Players from the following high schools will participate:  Downingtown West High School  John Bartram High School  Malvern Preparatory School  Methacton High School  Simon Gratz High School  South Philadelphia High School  St. Joes Preparatory School  West Catholic Preparatory School

NFL Draft Family Football Clinic, Play Football Field presented by Danimals, Benjamin Franklin Parkway The NFL Draft Family Football Clinic will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 9 – 10 a.m. This event will give local kids an opportunity to participate in a youth football clinic with USA Football coaches while their parents listen to football-themed discussion panels on topics ranging from the X’s and O’s of the game to health and safety, heat and hydration and strength and conditioning.

Participants will include WILMA MCNABB, mother of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, and JON RUNYAN, NFL Vice President of Football Operations and former Philadelphia Eagles tackle.

Families can register for the free Family Football Clinic through Fan Mobile Pass – NFL Draft.

High School Football Community Giveback To give back to local children and their community, high school football players from Bensalem High School, Bonner and Prendergast Catholic High School, Central Bucks West High School and St. Joseph’s Preparatory School will volunteer and assist in coaching various clinics alongside USA Football coaches at the NFL Draft Experience from Thursday, April 26 – Saturday, April 29. Schools selected are part of the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll, an initiative recognizing schools and communities that contributed to Super Bowl history and positively impacted the game of football.

High schools across the nation, and around the world, receive a commemorative Wilson Golden Football for every player or who graduated from their school and was on an active Super Bowl roster. Nearly 3,000 players and head coaches, and more than 2,000 high schools, have been recognized.

The NFL Foundation has provided Super Bowl High School Honor Roll schools with a character education curriculum and the opportunity to apply for grants to help support and grow their football programs. The NFL Foundation has invested $1 million towards the campaign.

Youth and High School Football Community Pick Announcements To further celebrate youth and high school football, pick announcements for multiple rounds at the NFL Draft will feature local athletes.

ROUND 1 Football players from MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGH SCHOOL will take the stage alongside COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL and represent the Philadelphia Eagles during their Round 1 pick. Due to lack of resources and funding, Germantown High School’s football program merged with former crosstown rival Martin Luther King High School. Prior to the pick announcement, the team will walk the Red Carpet alongside Draft prospects.

In addition, LIAM MCCLURE, a Methacton High School football player diagnosed with autism, will walk the Red Carpet on Thursday and hand out New Era Caps to Draft picks with his teammates. McClure fell in love with football after attending a Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp and further developed his passion for the game after joining the Methacton Warriors.

ROUND 2 In memory of the late legendary Pennsylvania high school football coach MIKE PETTINE SR., the Central Bucks West High School football team will accompany Philadelphia Eagles Legend RON JAWORSKI in making the Eagles’ Round 2 pick. Pettine Sr. had 16 undefeated seasons in his 33 years as head coach and won four state championships with Central Bucks West High School.

ROUND 6 For the first time, Round 6 of the NFL Draft will be youth football-themed. Youth football players from Pop Warner, NFL FLAG and local teams will represent various NFL clubs in their local markets during pick selections.

ROUND 7 The NFL Draft 7-on-7 tournament champions will be recognized onstage during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Round 7 selection.

For more information on NFL Draft media opportunities or community events, visit NFL.com/DraftExperience.

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Contact: Ana Blinder, NFL 212-450-2467 [email protected]

Catherine Boyle, NFL 212-450-2162 [email protected]