Annual Outback Steakhouse All-star Classic Showcases Best High School Football Talent From Long Island/New York City HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2000-- Canon USA, Chase Bank, Newsday, the National Football League and Other Local Companies Support Boomer Esiason's Fight to Cure Cystic Fibrosis Free Youth Football Clinics, Madden "Cruiser", Halftime Activities And Grucci Fireworks Highlight Day-Long Events at Hofstra Stadium Boomer Esiason, ex-NFL quarterback and Monday Night Football commentator, announced today the details of the fifth annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge all-star football game. The annual football classic was created by Esiason to give outstanding high school football players in New York City and Long Island an opportunity to showcase their talents on the same gridiron while raising money and awareness to fight Cystic Fibrosis. The game, which benefits the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Gunnar H. Esiason Scholarship Fund at Hofstra and local youth football programs, will be played on Friday, June 30th at Hofstra Stadium. The game will begin 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. In addition, a number of local companies have teamed-up with the Boomer Esiason Foundation to underwrite the cost of the football game and other day-long activities for the entire family. Along with Outback Steakhouse, Canon U.S.A., Newsday, the National Football League, Chase Manhattan Bank and many others will help the Foundation raise more than $200,000 from the June 30th event. Z-100 and WALK radio are the official radio stations for the June 30th football game. In a recent interview, Mr. Esiason expressed his gratitude for those companies who have taken an active role in supporting their local communities. "The support these companies have provided to the Boomer Esiason Foundation is a great example of how corporate America can make an impact in bettering the communities where employees work and live," said Esiason. "Their support for the Foundation will be used to improve the lives of all those afflicted with cystic fibrosis. As both a local resident and a parent with a CF-afflicted child, I'm thankful for companies like Canon, Chase and Outback who believe that giving back to the community is critical to their role as corporate citizens." "Canon is proud to do its part for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, and hopes that members of the community will do the same," said Pam Leeds, director of Corporate Communications at Canon USA. "The company's philosophy of `Kyosei' - living and working together for the common good -- is certainly being put into action with our support of Boomer's annual football event. Canon's hope is that together, our efforts with BEF will bring us one step closer to a cure," Ms. Leeds added. "The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge is an excellent example of how the entire community can be brought together, root for their favorite players and raise money for very worthy local and national charities," said Ron Duckstein, joint venture partner / N.Y. Metro area for Outback Steakhouse. "Our involvement doesn't begin or end with upper management. All our employees volunteer and participate in more than 200 community events throughout the year, including the Outback Challenge," Mr. Duckstein added. "Chase Bank has been a supporter of the Boomer Esiason Foundation for many years," explains Bill Presti, vice president and business relationship manager for Chase Manhattan Bank. "As a locally-based company, it is important to Chase and its employees to become involved in our communities and support the efforts of exceptional people such as Boomer whose efforts will have such a positive impact on thousands of people, especially children." New York City/ Long Island All Star Team Practice Schedule Practice Schedule: June 26- June 29 10 am- 1pm Long Island 2 p.m. -- 5 p.m. New York City All Practice Sessions will be at the Jets Practice Complex in Hempstead Canon / NFL Youth Football Clinics Canon, 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 28th and Thursday, June 29th at Hofstra Stadium. The 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 Boomer Esiason and former and current NFL players. Three one-hour clinics will be held each day, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The clinics will be held at Hofstra Stadium in Hempstead. Registration begins 30 minutes prior to the start of each session. For more information please call (631) 261-7173. June 30th Game-Day Events M.E.S.A Youth Clinic Hofstra Stadium is certainly the place to be on June 30th. The day begins with a special Canon / NFL Youth Football Clinic for Minority Education & Sports Advancement, Inc. The clinic will run from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Special NFL Jets Flag Activity Halftime Show During halftime, the National Football League will sponsor a special NFL Jets Flag Activity. Canon Fireworks by Grucci Display (After the Game) Immediately following the all-star game's award presentation, Canon and Grucci will light up the sky with a spectacular fireworks display, providing the perfect end to a day of fun, football and fireworks. Local NFL Stars to Be Honorary Team Captains Boomer Esiason, Marco Battaglia (Cincinnati Bengals), Canute Curtis (Cincinnati Bengals), Amos Zereoue (Pittsburgh Steelers), Vaughn Sanders (New York Jets), Sam Garnes (New York Giants), Rob Burnett (Baltimore Ravens), Lance Schulters (San Francisco 49ers), Lloyd Harrison (Washington Redskins), Gary Balldinger (Buffalo Bills -- retired). EDITOR'S NOTE: Press Passes for the June 30th events and all-star football game can be obtained by calling Lou Desiderio at 212/527-8811. The Boomer Esiason Foundation The Boomer Esiason Foundation is a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education and quality of life for those affected by Cystic Fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure. The Boomer Esiason Foundation works to ensure that: -- The brightest researchers and scientists, who every day come closer to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, have the resources they need to expand and accelerate their efforts; -- Dedicated doctors and caregivers have access to innovative and effective treatments that ease the suffering and enhance the lives of the children and young adults afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis; -- People from all walks of life are educated and motivated to become committed participants in the ongoing battle against Cystic Fibrosis; -- Those directly affected by Cystic Fibrosis are encouraged and empowered to fully understand this deadly disease and to take active roles in combating it; and -- Students and hospital staff are provided with the financial resources and educational tools they need to prepare for life's challenges and to create a legacy of quality healthcare for generations to come. CONTACT: Editorial: Lee Becker Boomer Esiason Foundation 513-746-0077 BEF Foundation Web Site: www.esiason.org or The Rowland Company Lou Desiderio 212-527-8811 Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge - New York City vs Long Island All-Star Football Game 200 B Armstrong Road Garden City Park, NY 11040 US Telephone: 516-746-0077  Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday Eastern Standard Time