By Kevin Adler

When Jamal Burke, Corey Henderson, DeSean Larmond, and Ronny Rodriguez participated in the NFL�s Junior Player Development (NFL-JPD) program a few years ago, they got the opportunity to jump-start their careers. A week of tough workouts and instruction in football fundamentals paid off, as they became leaders on their high school teams. The quartet will cap off their high school careers by playing on the New York City team in the eighth annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge football game on July 3 at Hofstra University.

In the Empire Challenge, New York City�s top high school seniors will again line up against the best of Long Island�s senior class in what promises to be another competitive and exciting game. Pregame events will begin at 5:30 p.m., highlighted by a 7-on-7 passing tournament and quarterback and lineman challenges for underclassman players. The Empire Challenge game will start at 7:00 p.m., followed by a fireworks display.

For several years, the NFL�s High School Player Development program (NFL-HSPD) has been feeding players to the NYC team. This year, a record 37 members of the metro squad are graduates of the week-long NFL-HSPD program in either 2001 or 2002. "Each high school participant gains full awareness of what is necessary to become a successful collegiate student-athlete, along with the resources and information to meet the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements," says Scott Lancaster, Senior Director of Youth Football for the NFL.

The high school program is so popular that it has been expanded to more than, 1,000 players each year.

Now the JPD program, created for boys ages 12-14, is beginning to show results, too, as represented by Jamal, Corey, DeSean, and Ronny this year. "This program teaches the basics at every position through a step-by-step progression of skill instruction packaged in a re-adaptive, fun, and entertaining manner," says Lancaster.

The NFL�s programs are about more than football � and the payoff can go far beyond the playing field. "Each participant also receives counseling through a life skills and character development curriculum incorporated throughout all on �field activities," says Lancaster.

The NFL�s athletic programs for New York City youth extend down to a flag football league for boys and girls ages 6-14, in which 10,000 children participated last year. The program is organized in conjunction with the NYC Police Athletic League and the NYC Parks & Recreation Department.