Forty young athletes from across the United States will compete in the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick National Finals on Saturday in Seattle during the weekend of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game.
Finalists will compete separately in five age divisions at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash., with the top scorer in each group crowned national champion. All participants launch two punts, two passes and two kicks with scores based on distance and accuracy (in feet). The best score from each activity is tabulated to determine the athlete's total. All youngsters advanced to the national finals through local, sectional and team championship competitions held throughout the NFL regular season. The top four scorers in each age group from across the country qualified as national finalists.
NFL Punt, Pass & Kick, which began in 1961, is celebrating its 53rd anniversary. It is one of the nation's largest grassroots sports skills competitions. NFL stars – including Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Dan Marino – competed in the Punt, Pass & Kick program as youngsters.
"USA Football is pleased to manage the Punt, Pass & Kick program," USA Football executive director Scott Hallenbeck said. USA Football is the sport's national governing body and the official youth development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams. "This fun football competition rooted in fundamental skills continues to capture the imagination of young athletes, boys and girls alike. We congratulate our national finalists and look forward to an exciting Saturday in Seattle."
All participants and their guests are provided airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the NFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.
Finalists are listed along with the NFL team that hosted their regional competition:
Boys 6-7
Girls 6-7
Boys 8-9
Girls 8-9
Boys 10-11
Girls 10-11
Boys 12-13
Girls 12-13
Boys 14-15
Girls 14-15
NFL Punt, Pass and Kick is part of NFL Youth Football, which provides ways for children to play, watch and experience the game of football. For more information, visit www.NFLPPK.com. For other NFL PLAY 60 youth programs, visit www.NFLRUSH.com.
-- USA Football
