NFL CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
32 Hispanic Leaders Recognized During Hispanic Heritage Month in Every NFL Market
Teams designate home game in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
The NFL and its teams will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct.15) with a series of special events focused in Weeks 3 and 4 of the season.
All NFL teams will enhance the celebration with local efforts throughout the month including designated home games with in-stadium themed elements and local community outreach in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
For the 2014 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the NFL, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Verizon have partnered for the fourth annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market. Each award recipient will be recognized in-stadium at a Hispanic Heritage game in their local market. With support from Verizon, each recipient will select a non-profit organization of their choice that serves the local Hispanic community to receive a $2,000 donation.
The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs will host NFL PLAY 60 Character Camps as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. NFL PLAY 60 Character Camps were held in 12 NFL markets this summer and are presented in partnership with the Muñoz Agency and USA Football. The camps are part of the NFL's year-round Hispanic outreach initiative, focused on offering youth opportunities to play and experience the game of football while emphasizing exercise and reinforcing the importance of character in athletics and life.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, fans can visit www.NFL.com/HispanicHeritage for a look at the personal stories of Hispanic players past and present who have left a lasting legacy on the NFL.
A national spotlight will shine on the NFL's celebration during Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football broadcasts in Weeks 3 and 4 which will highlight in-stadium elements as well as community events.
In Week 3, the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Univision Radio) and the Chicago Bears will visit the New York Jets on Monday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio).
During Week 4, the New York Giants will visit the Washington Redskins on Thursday (8:25 PM ET, CBS, NFL Network and Univision Radio), the New Orleans Saints face the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 28 (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC, mun2 and Univision Radio), and Sept. 29 the Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the New England Patriots (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio).
Thursday Night Football is available in Spanish via SAP (Secondary Audio Program) with Roberto Abramowitz calling the action on CBS and NFL Network.
During Sunday Night Football on NBC, Telemundo's sportscasters Rene Giraldo and Edgar Lopez provide coverage in Spanish via SAP.
And on Monday Night Football, the broadcast team for ESPN Deportes features Spanish-language Emmy-nominated play-by-play voice Álvaro Martín, analyst and former NFL kicker Raúl Allegre and sideline reporter John Sutcliffe.
On Saturday, Telemundo will air a NFL Hispanic Heritage Month special, Fútbol Americano Celebrando el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, presented by Verizon, at 4 p.m. ET highlighting the NFL's Hispanic players.
Team events include:
Arizona Cardinals: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein and Big Red will take part in a Kids Camp presented by University of Phoenix at the NFL YET College Prep Academy. The Cardinals will present Tom Espinoza with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during halftime of the Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Hispanic Heritage messaging and imagery from past events will be displayed on Facebook.com/AZCardenales, the Cardinals Spanish-language Facebook page. Continuing the celebration, dancers will perform a traditional Folklorico routine during halftime and cheerleaders will perform to Latin themed songs throughout the game.
Atlanta Falcons: The Atlanta Falcons joined the NFL's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting a Heads Up Football Clinic at the Walters Boys & Girls Club in Gainesville, Ga., for Hispanic youth on Sept. 9. The children learned Heads Up Football techniques and participated in a variety of drills assisted by Falcons players. The celebration continued on Sept. 18 when the Falcons presented Marisa Salcines with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. Members of the Latin American Association are set to serve as the Flag Crew during pregame introductions and Isabella Marquez will sing the national anthem.
Baltimore Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting an NFL PLAY 60 youth football clinic at Bonvegna Field in Baltimore for 150 predominately Hispanic children Monday. The Ravens will also recognize Ana Maria Schwartz Caballero with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during their Sept. 28 game. Her many achievements will be highlighted in the gameday program.
Buffalo Bills: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Buffalo Bills will honor NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award recipient, Tamara Alsace, during their Sunday contest against the San Diego Chargers. An ad will run in Bills Digest, as well as a blog post recapping the recognition ceremony on BuffaloBills.com.
Carolina Panthers: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage, the Carolina Panthers hosted an NFL PLAY 60 Character Camp featuring Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz on Saturday at the Simmons YMCA in Charlotte, teaching local Hispanic youth the fundamentals of football and the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. Mexico's 2013 NFL Tochito flag football championship team attended the camp and will also be recognized during the Panthers' Sunday game. The Panthers will present Norberto Sanchez with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Month Leadership Award during pregame of their contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chicago Bears: The Chicago Bears kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month by participating in Fiestas Patrias -- the 26th Street Parade in Chicago that celebrates Mexican Independence -- with a float that featured Staley Da Bear, the Drumline and students from UNO's Cisneros Cheetahs co-ed flag football team. These students won the UNO-CSN league, sponsored by Bears Care, this past spring. Additionally, at their game against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 19, the Bears will honor Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. Dr. Andrade will be welcomed to the field pregame. Congratulatory messaging will be played during the game via LED, as well as via a story on VamosBears.com and in La Raza newspaper advertisement.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Cincinnati Bengals will honor Anthony Simms-Howell with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award at their Sunday game against the Tennessee Titans. The Bengals will also partner with Scholastic for a local NFL PLAY 60 Read and Rise Program on Sept. 30. Players and Who Dey the mascot will visit Heritage Hill Elementary in Cincinnati, a predominately Hispanic school, to talk about the importance of having a healthy and active lifestyle with students and their families. The Bengals will then sponsor a Scholastic Book Fair where each child will get a free book to take home.
Cleveland Browns: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Browns Leadership Group, including President Alec Scheiner and General Manager Ray Farmer, joined Browns players for a visit to the Walton School on Sept. 9. The Walton School is an investment school of the United Way and is supported by the Cleveland Browns Foundation. The Cleveland Browns will continue their celebration by presenting Luis Cartagena with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Dallas Cowboys will participate in Fiestas Patrias, an all-day event at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth, on Sunday. This event, hosted by Spanish radio flagship, CBS La Grande, is expected to draw a crowd in excess of 25,000 attendees. On Monday, the Cowboys will host a PLAY 60 Futbol Americano Youth Camp for the students of Gabe Allen Elementary School, a predominantly Hispanic charter school in Dallas. Prior to the Cowboys contest against the New Orleans Saints, the Cowboys, in conjunction with their media partners Telemundo 39 and CBS La Grande will host a Latino-themed tailgate party in Lot 14. This lot is located so that even fans who are not attending the game can participate in the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Cowboys Rhythm & Blues Dancers, Mascot Rowdy, CBS La Grande talent Shoboy and DJ Ivan G and Telemundo 39 news talent will attend. Miller Lite is also sponsoring an autograph session at the tailgate with actor Danny Trejo. In-stadium, ballet folklorico dancers and mariachis will perform on the plazas and assist on-field with a presentation of the U.S. flag and a display of Hispanic Heritage country flags during the national anthem. Additonally, Sandra Sedillo-McGlothlin will be recognized during pregame as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.
Denver Broncos: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Denver Broncos will present Sister Alicia V. Cuaron with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on Oct. 5.
Detroit Lions: The Detroit Lions will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by awarding Anthony Benavides with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during their Sunday home game versus the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay Packers: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Green Bay Packers will present Gabriela Gamboa with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.
Houston Texans: The Houston Texans will honor Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting the annual Hispanic Heritage Day game presented by XFINITY on Sept. 28 versus the Buffalo Bills. Jose Cruz, former Houston Astros player and coach, will lead the Texans out of the tunnel prior to team introductions as the Home Field Advantage Captain. Mariachi bands and Ballet Folklorico will provide pregame entertainment at stadium entrances and members of the Texans Hispanic Fan Club, Toros Bravos, will hold the Texas flag during pregame festivities. Houston Grand Opera Singer, Octavia Moreno, is scheduled to perform the national anthem, and Marine JROTC students at Pasadena High School, a predominately Hispanic high school, will fill the role of the game's color guard. The Texans will present Alex López Negrete with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award at halftime. During the week of the game, the Texans will host an event in conjunction with Negrete and his non-profit organization of choice, Neighborhood Centers, Inc., with a Texans player and cheerleaders. Additionally, members of the Toros Bravos fan club, alongside a Texans player and cheerleaders, will host a volunteer day at the Houston Food Bank.
Indianapolis Colts: The Indianapolis Colts celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting a free youth football camp and recognizing local members of the Indianapolis Hispanic community. On Sept. 16, about 200 local youth attended a Hispanic Heritage Football Camp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. The students had the opportunity to interact and run through several football drill stations with Colts players and Mascot Blue. On Sept. 20, the Colts took part in the festivities at FIESTA Indianapolis in the American Legion Mall. The Colts PLAY 60 Zone was on-site to teach children various football drills. Colts cheerleaders also made a special appearance. The Indianapolis Colts are set to continue their celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by presenting the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award to Maria M. Quintana on Sept. 28.
Jacksonville Jaguars: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Jacksonville Jaguars will present Wilfredo J. Gonzalez with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on Sunday when the Jaguars face off against the Indianapolis Colts. Gonzalez will be the Jaguars honorary captain as he walks out for the coin toss at the beginning of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs: In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, members of the Chiefs defensive line will host local youth, including students from the Guadalupe Center's Alta Vista Middle School, at the team's University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex for an exclusive NFL PLAY 60 Character Camp on Tuesday. The Chiefs will also honor David Chavez with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during pregame on Sept. 29 versus the New England Patriots.
Miami Dolphins: The Miami Dolphins will launch their celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting the first of many "Football Fiestas" of the season, a community activation event at Dolphin Mall. On Sunday, Jorge A. Plasencia will be presented with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award when the Dolphins square off against the Kansas City Chiefs. Additional in-game elements include Latin inspired music during pregame, appearances by DJ personalities and giveaways from four local Hispanic radio stations
Minnesota Vikings: The Minnesota Vikings will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday when former Viking great E.J. Henderson and current players Robert Blanton, Chase Ford, Gerald Hodges, Jabari Price and Andrew Sendejo, cheerleaders and Viktor the Viking visit Partnership Academy in Richfield. The Vikings Fútbol Americano PLAY 60 clinic will feature Vikings players and members of the Sanneh Foundation. In addition to putting the fourth and fifth graders through various football and soccer drills, Vikings players will stress the importance of education at the college level and recognize the school's leadership Stand Up Club. The Vikings will continue their celebration by presenting Richard Aguilar with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award at their game on Sept. 28.
New England Patriots: The New England Patriots will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado as their NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award winner during a pregame ceremony on Sunday. Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots and Andre Tippett, Executive Director of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and Pro Football Hall of Famer, will present her with a commemorative check on the sidelines. Dr. Calderón-Rosado will also be featured in the Patriots' Spanish language newsletter and Patriots GameDay magazine.
New Orleans Saints: The New Orleans Saints will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at their Sunday game by recognizing Carolina Hernández as their NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award recipient during an on-field presentation. The Saints hosted an NFL PLAY 60 Character Camp in partnership with the Muñoz Agency and will host four Saints Junior Training Camps at the largest Hispanic-populated elementary schools throughout the state, beginning with Esperanza Charter School on Tuesday. Game tickets will be donated to the Iglesia de Dios el Milagro youth group and the Saints will participate in the Carnaval Latino parade and festival as well.
New York Giants: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the New York Giants will present Mariano Rivera with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on Sunday when they face off against the Houston Texans. The game will be broadcast on the Giants Spanish radio flagship station WADO-AM 1280. Continuing Hispanic Heritage Month, on Sept. 30 the Giants will host an event with former Atlanta Falcon linebacker Tim Green called Giants PLAY 60 Read 20. Green, now a best-selling children's book author, will join Giants running back Rashad Jennings, at the Berkley School in Bloomfield, New Jersey. At the school, they will host a PLAY 60 activity to teach the kids about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, followed by a reading of Green's latest book, First Team. Each child in the school will receive with a copy of the book to take home.
New York Jets: The New York Jets will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during their Monday contest against the Chicago Bears. During pregame, the Jets will present Hugo Balta with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.
Oakland Raiders: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Oakland Raiders will host a Scholastic Read and Rise event at International Community Elementary and Think College Now Elementary on Oct. 14. Players and members of the Raiders organization will discuss the importance of reading, education and living a healthy and active lifestyle. Students will also be provided with a free book during a book fair. Beatriz Leyva-Cutler, the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award recipient, will be honored at their Oct. 19 game versus the Arizona Cardinals.
Philadelphia Eagles: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Philadelphia Eagles will honor NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award recipient Will Gonzalez during their Sunday contest against the Washington Redskins. On Monday, Eagles players and the team's mascot, SWOOP, will join representatives from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and the East Park Revitalization Alliance (ERPA) to host children at a local community garden to learn about healthy foods and where they come from. The children are members of the Eagles supported flag football league, MVP360, an organization that aims to educate student-athletes and youth of all ages about essential life skills necessary for personal and professional advancement both on and off the field of play. MVP360 serves a primarily Hispanic population who are new to the game of football. A PHS representative will take the players and these children through the garden, harvesting ripe vegetables and educating them on the proper growing and cooking techniques.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Pittsburgh Steelers will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of elements during their Sept. 28 game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the game, Miguel's Mariachi Fiesta will perform on the west main concourse and the Guaracha Latin Dance Band will be performing in the FedEx Great Hall. Fourteen members of the Steelers Flag Football Team from Mexico will be recognized during game festivities. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month the Towel Twirl will be started by staff and students from Pittsburgh's only Spanish-language based school, La Escuelita Arcoiris. Additionally, the Steelers will honor Carrie Ann Quintana with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. A halftime performance dedicated to Latin music is set to occur.
St. Louis Rams: As part of the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the St. Louis Rams will recognize their NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award recipient, Virginia Braxs, during the Sunday game versus the Dallas Cowboys. As part of the honor, Braxs will serve as Coin Toss Captain for the game. A feature on Braxs will also run in the gameday magazine, Rams Insider, and on the team website.
San Diego Chargers: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the San Diego Chargers will present Carlos and Linda LeGerrette with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on Sept. 28 when they face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars. During pregame, NBC's The Voice contestant, Karina Iglesias, will perform the national anthem and halftime festivities will feature performances by Mariachi Real de San Diego and traditional ballet folklórico dancers from Chula Vista. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the team also hosted a PLAY 60 Assembly for Hispanic youth at King-Chavez Academy on Sept. 16. The school was presented a check for $2,500 to help the school's physical fitness and nutrition programs.
San Francisco 49ers: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the San Francisco 49ers will present Cindy Chavez with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award at their Sept. 28 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers' Community Mondays program is a season-long program designed to reach out to local underserved populations. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the Community Mondays program will focus specifically in assisting Hispanic youth who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
Seattle Seahawks: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Seattle Seahawks will present Ramon Rivera with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on Sept. 26.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: On Sept. 5, the Buccaneers continued their tradition of partnering with Hillsborough County Government to host "Eat at Joe's Latin Style" in downtown Tampa at Joe Chilura Courthouse Square Park. The event was a celebration of the forthcoming Hispanic Heritage Month and City of Tampa's historic Hispanic roots. Event features included Buccaneers Street Team with Kids Zone elements, Buccaneers cheerleader performances, Buccaneers ticket opportunities, food truck vendors, live Latin singers and bands, presentation of Hispanic Man and Woman of the Year Awards, and the Hermano Award. The celebration continues on Oct. 26 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers present Maria Liliana Carrillo with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during pregame.
Tennessee Titans: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Tennessee Titans will present Loraine Segovia Paz, the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award recipient, on Oct. 12 when the Titans face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Washington Redskins: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Washington Redskins will present Angela Franco with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award during pregame on Thursday. The annual Redskins Read Activity Book, with 250,000 copies distributed to kids and families across the DC area, will feature a page dedicated to Hispanic Heritage Month.
-- NFL Communications