For Immediate Release
February 07, 2007
Contact Information
Grassroots Promotions
Traci Johnson
(770)-354-6487
traci@grassrootspromotions.com
NFL Quarterbacks Celebrate Black History In The Making As They Seek To Level The Playing Field With The “Black Quarterback Club®”
-P&G, BET provide athletes with T.O.O.L.S. to enhance leadership skills on and off field-
Dallas, TX. (February 7, 2007) – As if by design, it seems no accident that SuperBowl XLI kicked off Black History Month by making history with two Black Head Coaches leading their teams to the big game. To further level the playing field in high school, college and professional football, Baltimore Ravens star Quarterback Steve McNair and a network of former and current NFL quarterbacks including Vince Young and Jason Campbell, have joined forces to announce the formation of The Black Quarterback Club (BQC). The BQC is designed to encourage future athletic leaders by offering programs that strengthen young athletes both physically and mentally.
For years, there has been a lack of African Americans in quarterback positions,” said McNair, founding member of the Black Quarterback Club. “The Black Quarterback Club will link players, businesses and communities to actively increase opportunities for players on and off the field.”
Historically, there has been a disproportionate number of African-American players in quarterback positions. Many believe that they are converted to other positions at an early age, which typically defines their path. Recently, Warren Moon became the first African-American Quarterback to make it into the NFL Hall of Fame.
During the 2006 football season, the BQC launched a 10-market promotional tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country to introduce its T.O.O.L.S curriculum (Teaching On-Field and Off-Field Leadership Skills).
The inaugural BQC season culminated with an awards ceremony during SuperBowl weekend in Miami to acknowledge select players who demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic sportsmanship in the T.O.O.L.S program, as well as honoring college and professional athletes and coaches.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungey was honored as the Top NFL coach, while Steve McNair was recognized as Top Professional Quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Paul Spicer also attended the event as keynote speaker, addressing the importance of mentoring young athletes and giving back to the community that had meant so much to him growing up.
Local organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Miami, were also recognized for their role in providing leadership and mentor programs in the youth in their community
Inside The BQC
From those interested in the dual on-field athleticism of the likes of Michael Vick to collectors of autographed memorabilia from top players, like a Steve McNair towel, the BQC provides the only opportunity to interact with top Black quarterbacks and other professional athletes virtually and in-person.
•www.blackquarterbackclub.com provides a fully interactive experience with yesterday, today and tomorrow’s top black quarterbacks at their best by viewing stats, pictures, and video.
•The 10-market tour traveled to Historically Black Colleges & Universities nationwide and included a mobile sports and entertainment center for enthusiasts and those interested in the BQC.
•BQC links top student athletes with sponsors who host various events in support of training, education and gaming.
•The BQC will serve as the official “hang out” for black quarterbacks during various times of the year including Super Bowl, celebrity golf tournaments, celebrity auctions and autograph sessions at several targeted events.
•The BQC also aggressively engaged local communities to rally and support the effort. Select retail outlets including CVS and Wal-Mart, were linked to program.
For more information on The Black Quarterback Club and a schedule of 2007 tour stops, visit www.blackquarterbackclub.com or call 1-866-647-(BQC)6.
About T.O.O.L.S
The Teaching On-Field and Off-Field Leadership Skills (T.O.O.L.S.) program is the key instructional program administered through the BQC. T.O.O.L.S. was created to offer both a physically and mentally-challenging curriculum of activities for both boys and girls. These activities will occur during after-school programs, summer football clinics and the college football season, and will be expanded to encompass other sports in the future.
About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella, Gillette®, and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
For years, there has been a lack of African Americans in quarterback positions,” said McNair, founding member of the Black Quarterback Club. “The Black Quarterback Club will link players, businesses and communities to actively increase opportunities for players on and off the field.”
Historically, there has been a disproportionate number of African-American players in quarterback positions. Many believe that they are converted to other positions at an early age, which typically defines their path. Recently, Warren Moon became the first African-American Quarterback to make it into the NFL Hall of Fame.
During the 2006 football season, the BQC launched a 10-market promotional tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country to introduce its T.O.O.L.S curriculum (Teaching On-Field and Off-Field Leadership Skills).
The inaugural BQC season culminated with an awards ceremony during SuperBowl weekend in Miami to acknowledge select players who demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic sportsmanship in the T.O.O.L.S program, as well as honoring college and professional athletes and coaches.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungey was honored as the Top NFL coach, while Steve McNair was recognized as Top Professional Quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Paul Spicer also attended the event as keynote speaker, addressing the importance of mentoring young athletes and giving back to the community that had meant so much to him growing up.
Local organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Miami, were also recognized for their role in providing leadership and mentor programs in the youth in their community
Inside The BQC
From those interested in the dual on-field athleticism of the likes of Michael Vick to collectors of autographed memorabilia from top players, like a Steve McNair towel, the BQC provides the only opportunity to interact with top Black quarterbacks and other professional athletes virtually and in-person.
•www.blackquarterbackclub.com provides a fully interactive experience with yesterday, today and tomorrow’s top black quarterbacks at their best by viewing stats, pictures, and video.
•The 10-market tour traveled to Historically Black Colleges & Universities nationwide and included a mobile sports and entertainment center for enthusiasts and those interested in the BQC.
•BQC links top student athletes with sponsors who host various events in support of training, education and gaming.
•The BQC will serve as the official “hang out” for black quarterbacks during various times of the year including Super Bowl, celebrity golf tournaments, celebrity auctions and autograph sessions at several targeted events.
•The BQC also aggressively engaged local communities to rally and support the effort. Select retail outlets including CVS and Wal-Mart, were linked to program.
For more information on The Black Quarterback Club and a schedule of 2007 tour stops, visit www.blackquarterbackclub.com or call 1-866-647-(BQC)6.
About T.O.O.L.S
The Teaching On-Field and Off-Field Leadership Skills (T.O.O.L.S.) program is the key instructional program administered through the BQC. T.O.O.L.S. was created to offer both a physically and mentally-challenging curriculum of activities for both boys and girls. These activities will occur during after-school programs, summer football clinics and the college football season, and will be expanded to encompass other sports in the future.
About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella, Gillette®, and Braun. The P&G community consists of almost 140,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
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