Five Pro-Football Players Tackle New Defensive Strategy: Helping Inner City Kids
Shaun Phillips, La'Roi Glover, Bobby McCray, Dewayne White and Manny Lawson join the After-School Sack Attack program to help kids by donating money for every sack
Los Angeles (PRWEB) September 18, 2008
As children all over the country head back to school and football players return to the field, five superstars have pledged to donate $1,000 to After-School All-Stars every time each makes a sack on the field. The "After-School Sack Attack" program was launched last season by San Diego Charger's linebacker Shaun Phillips and kicks off the 2008 season with five defenders and counting.
Last year Phillips had 8.5 sacks and, with the help of matching business sponsors, raised $34,000 for after-school programs in San Diego. This season, the After-School Sack Attack has expanded to players from teams across the country and currently includes five players representing teams from Detroit, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco, and St. Louis. More information on the After-School Sack Attack is available at How Many Sacks (http://www. howmanysacks. org)
"When I was growing up in Philadelphia, after-school programs kept me busy and off the streets," said Phillips. "After-School All-Stars' programs provide a great outlet to keep urban youth safe and engaged during the 'danger zone' hours of 3 p. m. and 6 p. m. when they are most likely to get involved with unproductive, risky activities."
Four additional players, La'Roi Glover (St. Louis Rams), Bobby McCray (New Orleans Saints), Dewayne White (Detroit Lions), and Manny Lawson (SF 49ers) have joined Phillips to bring a ton of defensive firepower to the program. Their combined 2-year average sack records would predict at least 30 sacks towards the program - and other defensive players are still encouraged to join the After-School Sack Attack.
Six-time Pro-Bowler and Defensive Tackle La'Roi Glover established his La'Roi Glover Foundation and has been helping kids in San Diego and St. Louis since 1999. Both Bobby McCray and Dewayne White are relatively new to their home cities of New Orleans and Detroit, respectively, and are excited to help kids in their local communities. Although he grew up in a small town, Manny Lawson is passionate about all kids, especially kids facing negative influences in the inner-cities.
"We are so grateful that these star athletes are tying to their success on the field to the success of kids in our urban schools," said Ben Paul, CEO of After-School All-Stars. "Shaun Phillips set a high bar last season and we look forward to more players helping to generate the funds needed to provide quality after-school programs. Ideally, we would love to see a player on every team join the After-School Sack Attack."
Added Phillips: "I am proud that my fellow players are supporting these children and I know that inner city children all over the country will be kept safe and benefit from the money raised by the After-School Sack Attack."
About After-School All-Stars
Founded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992, After-School All-Stars is the leading national provider of high quality, comprehensive, school-based after-school programs that include academic support, enrichment and health and physical fitness activities. The organization's mission is to keep children safe and help them achieve in school and in life. 72,000 at-risk youth benefit from these programs in 13 U. S. cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, San Jose and South Florida. For more information, visit After-School All-Stars (http://www. afterschoolallstars. org)
About La'Roi Glover
Lauded for his power and precision, Glover is a six-time Pro-Bowler and Defensive Tackle for the St. Louis Rams. Throughout his 12-year tenure in the NFL, Glover has experienced great success. He has just been named the Rams 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year. In addition to his work with the La'Roi Glover Foundation, Glover recently became a Goodwill Ambassador for After-School All-Stars.
About Manny Lawson
Manny Lawson is currently in his third season with the San Francisco 49ers. He had a promising 2007 season cut short due to knee injury suffered in practice leading up to the third game of the season. Lawson is a graduate of North Carolina State where he ranks second on NC State's all-time record list with seven blocked kicks and fourth with 20.5 sacks. He is widely considered one of the finest athletes in the NFL.
About Bobby McCray
After just five seasons in the world's most dominant league, Bobby McCray is one of the fastest defensive ends on the gridiron. He signed a five year deal in the 2008 off-season with the Saints to provide additional depth and speed to a defensive line very much in need of his talent. In 2006 while with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bobby led the team with 10 sacks.
About Shaun Phillips
A native of New Jersey, Phillips had a career best year in 2006 after registering 65 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Entering his fourth year with the Chargers, Phillips has recorded 125 total tackles and 22.5 sacks in 45 career games. This off-season, Phillips inked a contract extension that will keep him in San Diego through 2012.
About Dewayne White
Dewayne White has proven himself as the aggressive and relentless rush end throughout his first season in Detroit. In 2007, White was the first unrestricted free agent to visit Detroit off-season and sign a five-year deal with the team, reuniting him with his former position coach, Lions Head Coach Rod Martinelli.
