Canon Teams Up With the NFL Flag to Offer Free Football Clinics to New York-Area Youths.

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LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2000

Clinics Held As Part of Annual Football Classic

Benefiting Cystic Fibrosis Research

How do kids from New York City and Long Island learn how to play football? From their favorite NFL players, of course.

Canon U.S.A., the Official Camera and Binocular Supplier of the National Football League, has teamed-up with the NFL to offer free football clinics to kids ages 6-14 on Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Hofstra Stadium in Hempstead. The clinics are being offered in conjunction with the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge football classic being held at Hofstra Stadium on Friday, June 30th. The annual gridiron event pits the best high school players from New York City against Long Island opponents, and was created by Boomer Esiason four years ago to give outstanding local athletes an opportunity to showcase their talents while raising money to fight cystic fibrosis.

The pre-game clinics are designed to give kids hands-on instruction and the "real-life experience" of a professional football training camp. The non-contact clinics will be conducted by local high school and college coaches. Also on-hand to give kids tips and advice will be former New York Jets quarterback and Monday Night Football Commentator, Boomer Esiason, and other current and former NFL players.

"Canon is pleased to team up with the National Football League's Flag Football to provide these free clinics to children in the local community," said Pam Leeds, director of Public Affairs at Canon U.S.A.. "These clinics provide a great opportunity for kids to learn the basics of football and the importance of teamwork while having a lot of fun," Ms. Leeds added. "Boomer Esiason and other participating NFL players will certainly give the clinics an added dimension and excitement."

"Our goal at the NFL is to make sure that every child who participates in the clinics comes away with a positive experience, regardless of age, gender or level of expertise," said Scott Lancaster, director of youth development for NFL Properties, the marketing arm of the NFL. "These Canon/NFL clinics are a great way for youngsters to become more familiar with the game of football while pursuing the opportunity to play through our NFL Flag Leagues," Lancaster added.

Three one hour clinics will be held at Hofstra Stadium in Hempstead, Long Island with the first clinic beginning at 5:30 p.m. on both days. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to the start of each session. To register for the clinic and receive more information, please call [phone].

All proceeds from Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge events will benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Gunnar H. Esiason Scholarship Fund at Hofstra and local youth football programs. The annual all-star football Classic pitting NYC all-stars against L.I all-stars will be held on Friday, June 30 at Hofstra Stadium. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. A series of pre-game and post-game activities are also planned including a spectacular Grucci fireworks display immediately following the game. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the Hofstra Stadium box office on game day.

The Boomer Esiason Foundation

The Boomer Esiason Foundation is a partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to provide financial support to research aimed at finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation works to ensure that researchers and scientists have the resources they need to expand and accelerate their efforts, and that doctors and caregivers have access to effective and innovative treatments that ease suffering and enhance the lives of those stricken with the disease. Since 1993, the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised more than $8 million for cystic fibrosis research.

About the NFL

The NFL works with several national and local organizations to expose the game to millions of young players across America. The NFL is the only professional sports league that works with such a variety of the country's premier youth sports organizations, including the National Recreation and Parks Association, The National Association of Police Athletic Leagues, the Jewish Community Center Association, Pop Warner Little Scholars and the Amateur Athletic Union. In conjunction with our partners, NFL Flag leagues will be promoted locally by NFL-established NFL Flag Regional Management Contacts and through the NFL Flag Scholastic Program, the promotional component of NFL Flag.

NFL Flag is an element of the NFL's "Play Football" program that provides exciting ways for even more children to play, watch, experience and enjoy the game of football. Other "Play Football" programs include NFL Flag Scholastic; NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass & Kick; and Kmart NFL Family/Stadium Days.

About Canon

In keeping with Canon's philanthropic goals, the company supports a wide range of local and national charitable organizations, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the National Park Foundation.

Canon is a major supporter of the "Bring Missing Children Home" campaign with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which spearheads national efforts to locate and recover missing children. The company also supports children-related charities such as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the Special Olympics, the LensCrafters "Give the Gift of Sight" program, and the Disabled Children's Relief Fund.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

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