HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. � June 23, 2026 � Boomer Esiason, ex-NFL quarterback and CBS Sports NFL Today studio analyst and national radio commentator for Monday Night Football on Westwood One, announced today the details of the sixth annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge all-star football game. The annual football classic was created by Esiason in 1996 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 and support youth football in the New York metropolitan area.

The game, which benefits the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Gunnar H. Esiason Scholarship Fund at Hofstra and local youth football programs, will be played on Thursday, July 3rd at the James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. A series of pre-game and post-game activities are also planned, including spectacular Bay Fireworks display presented by Canon immediately following the game. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the James M. Shuart Stadium box office on game day.

In addition, a number of local and international 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., NFL Flag, the New York Jets and many others will help the Foundation raise more than $200,000 from the July 3^rd event.

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, the New York Jets, NFL Flag and Outback Steakhouse 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 Roberto Lebron, assistant 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," Mr. Lebron 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.

Team practices will be held at the New York Jets complex June 26, 27, 30 and July 1-2. ALL interview requests for that week must be submitted to the Empire Challenge Web site--click on Media Credentials Tab on left side of home page--no later than Wednesday, June 25. No media personnel will be allowed into the Jets complex without submitting a formal request.

Thursday, June 26 Long Island 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

New York City 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Friday, June 27 Long Island 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

New York City 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Monday, June 30 Long Island 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

New York City 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Tuesday, July 1 Long Island 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

New York City 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Wednesday, July 2 Long Island 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

New York City 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Media interested in attending the game must formally submit a credential request via the Empire Challenge Web site--click on Media Credentials Tab on left side of home page--no later than Monday, June 30. All requests must include names of all attending media personnel. Media credentials will be available at the Will Call Window at the stadium's ticket booth on game day. Please present photo identification at the ticket booth. Ticket booth will open at 4:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.

The NFL and New York Jets invite children ages 8 -15 to sign up for the NFL/NY Jets Youth Football Camp! This camp will help sharpen skills and improve basic football techniques�from passing and kicking, to blocking, receiving, and defense. This week of FUN and instruction will provide players with the equivalent of one full season of skill training and game preparation.

NFL/New York Jets Youth Football Camp

July 14-18, 2003

9am-1pm

Kings Park High School

200 Route 25A

Kings Park, NY 11754

Camp Fee: $200.00

This camp contains two (2) options to choose from:

*NFL FLAG Camp for boys and girls, ages 8-12

*Introduction to Tackle Football for boys and girls, ages 11-15

The campers will enjoy the following items during the week:

Once again, area high school coaches are invited to attend the coaching clinic held in conjunction with the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge. The clinic will be held at the New York Jets complex on the Hofstra University north campus from 7:00 � 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium.

Ted Cottrell � Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach

New York Jets

7:00 � 9:00 pm

New York Jets complex auditorium

The best of New York City and Long Island underclassmen will compete in

a 7-on-7 Championship Game and a QB Challenge during pregame and halftime festivities during for the first time at this year�s Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge.

The competitions, organized by the NFL, will feature the top team from New York City and Long Island in the 7-on-7 Championship and the top eight incoming senior class quarterbacks from New York City and Long Island.

Preliminaries: Saturday, June 28

• Kings Park High School � Kings Park, NY

8:00 am QB Challenge

11:00 am 7-on-7 Tournament

• John F. Kennedy High School � Bronx, NY

9:30 am QB Challenge

11:00 am 7-on-7 Tournament

Finals: Thursday, July 3

James M. Shuart Stadium � Hofstra University

• 7-on-7 Championship Game - Pregame
• QB Challenge Finals � Halftime

From 3:30 � 6:30, James M. Shuart Stadium Parking Lot � Hofstra University All fans will be able to participate in Fan Fest. The New York Jets present Jets Fest, an interactive football theme park filled with inflatable challenges and games, will be on site along with giveaways and exhibits from each branch of the United States Armed Forces.

• 7-on-7 High School Flag Tournament Championship Game featuring the best high school underclassmen from New York City and Long Island.
• John Amirante, New York Rangers anthem singer, to honor America with the National Anthem
• Lilian Garcia, World Wrestling Entertainment ring announcer, to perform God Bless America
• Flag presentation by Joint Forces Color Guard

Lloyd Harrison (Washington Redskins), Sam Garnes (New York Jets), Lance Schulters (Tennessee Titans), Tim Terry (Seattle Seahawks), Amos Zereoue (Pittsburgh Steelers), Morlon Greenwood�1996 All-Star (Miami Dolphins)

QB Challenge featuring the top eight incoming senior class New York City and Long Island quarterbacks competing in the NFL�s version of the ultimate QB skills challenge.

Immediately following the all-star game�s award presentation, Canon and Bay Fireworks will light up the sky with a spectacular fireworks display, providing the perfect end to a day of fun, football and fireworks.

The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge will air tape-delayed on MSG on Friday, July 11 at 7:00 � 10:00 p.m. and Monday, July 28 at 7:00 � 10:00 p.m. Check your local listing for channel information.

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