The culmination of the 2008 NFL season is upon us: Super Bowl XLIII is set to take place this Sunday, February 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. But the big game isn’t the only reason to venture down to Florida. NFL players who plan on making the trip to Tampa should check out the various NFLPA and NFL PLAYERS events taking place throughout the week.

 

NFLPA RETIRED PLAYERS TAMPA CHAPTER – FOOTBALL & FITNESS CLINIC

The NFLPA Retired Players Tampa Chapter will conduct a football and fitness clinic with the Tampa Boys & Girls Club on Monday, January 26 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the George M. Steinbrenner Family West Tampa Club. Retired NFL players will collaborate with the City of Tampa Recreation, Hillsborough County Recreation and the Tampa Housing Authority to host nearly 200 boys and girls in a non-contact clinic featuring youth fitness instructors from the Bob Sierra Family YMCA.

 

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION – READ ACROSS AMERICA

NFL players will provide reading inspiration to students at several elementary schools in Tampa to kick off Read Across America, the NEA’s year-round literacy campaign. On Wednesday, January 28 NFL players will participate in read-ins and other school activities and challenges to rev up reading enjoyment and imagination. The first read-in will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at Graham Elementary School while the second read-in is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. at Maximo Elementary School in Pinellas County.

 

TRAINING CAMP FOR LIFE

Training Camp for Life will take place on Wednesday, January 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa. Professionals from the fields of education and athletics, including former and current NFL players, will speak to more than 100 local high school football players and their parents as part of the educational seminar. The camp is designed to assist student-athletes as they prepare for the transition from high school to college. Experts in their field will cover topics including SAT/ACT test strategies, NCAA compliance and recruiting, media relations, off-the-field conduct, drug-free sports and life after football. Visa will provide students with a Money 101 workbook which serves as a crash course in money management. In addition, all participants will receive Visa’s ‘Financial Football’ DVD, an interactive computer game that educates students through a series of financial questions.

 

NFLPA-TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS FOOTBALL & FITNESS CLINIC

The NFLPA and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will team up with current NFL players for a youth football and fitness clinic. Approximately 400 elementary school boys and girls will participate in a non-contact football clinic at Tampa Boulevard Elementary School on Thursday, January 29 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Active and retired players will participate in the clinic to help promote the importance of healthy choices and physical activity in a fun, safe environment.

 

SPRINT PHONE-A-FRIEND AT NFL PLAYERS LIVE!

NFL PLAYERS and Sprint are once again teaming up to offer a memorable mobile experience to fans attending the NFL Experience at Super Bowl XLIII. From Thursday, January 29 through Saturday, January 31, Sprint Phone-A-Friend at NFL PLAYERS Live! will give fans the opportunity to have NFL stars call friends and family directly from Sprint cell phones. The event culminates at the NFL Experience on Saturday, January 31, when 18 NFL players will take the stage from noon to 6 p.m.

 

SUPER BOWL GOSPEL CELEBRATION

The 10th annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will once again welcome the NFL Players All-Star Choir, which features some of the most musically talented players in the league. The 32-member choir will perform during the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration weekend concert at the Tampa Sun Dome (University of South Florida) on Friday, January 30 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Some of the biggest names in the gospel and R&B music industry will join the players for this special event, including Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker and others. Please visit www.superbowlgospel.com for more information.

 

SMOCKS & JOCKS JAZZ BRUNCH AND ART AUCTION

Artwork created by current and former NFL players will be auctioned off during the Smocks & Jocks Jazz Brunch on Saturday, January 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. aboard the StarShip Yacht in dock at Channelside in Tampa. The creative abilities of NFL players will be highlighted in this special event, which brings attention to the arts and the sport of football. Ticket proceeds benefit the Gene Upshaw Players Assistance Trust Fund and the VSA arts of Florida.

 

 

For more information about these and other NFLPA events, please contact the NFLPA Membership Services department at 800-372-2000 or visit Super Bowl Central.