*MEDIA ALERT*
TO: NEWS/PHOTO ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
New York Jets Players Brad Smith and Wallace Wright Kick Off Play 60 Challenge with Students from Five Morris County Schools

What: New York Jets and American Heart Association present the “NFL Play 60 Challenge” sponsored by American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc.’s Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign

• The Play 60 Challenge is a six-week program created by the NFL and American Heart Association that encourages students to participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity in school and an additional 30 minutes of physical activity outside of school. This program allows students to track their exercise and progress.

When: Tuesday; October 20, 2009 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM

Where: Ridgedale Middle School
Auditorium, 71 Ridgedale Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932; 973.822.3855 (main #)

Who: Participants in the NFL Play 60 Challenge include:

• • • 300 middle school students and teachers from five Morris County schools
    • New York Jets Players Brad Smith and Wallace Wright

Why: The American Heart Association is working toward achieving their goal of getting kids physically active for 60 minutes every day by combining their health expertise with the NFL’s commitment to physical fitness. Because of the necessity to keep kids moving, the American Heart Association created the NFL Play 60 Challenge to get students and staff excited, engaged and active. It also helps schools become places that encourage physically active lifestyles year-round.

More: New York Jets players Brad Smith and Wallace Wright and a representative from the organization will host an NFL Play 60 kickoff assembly at the school.  Smith and Wright will talk about healthy eating and exercise with the students.  Students will then participate in trivia with the players and have a chance to win prizes.  The students will find out that the ultimate prize following successful completion of the Play 60 Challenge is a chance to attend and be on field at the Nov. 29 New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers game.  The five participating schools include Ridgedale Middle School, Harding Elementary School, Madison Junior School, Holy Family School and St. Vincent The Martyr School.  Following the assembly Ridgedale Middle School students will participate in a gym class with Smith and Wright.  The Jets Play 60 Challenge is presented by the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc.’s Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign.  The initiative is part of a larger nationwide effort to tackle the sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition that have helped spur the current health crisis among America’s youth

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE NEW YORK JETS KICK OFF SWEEPSTAKES TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE LUNCHES

The New York Jets and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) are launching a sweepstakes on Tuesday, October 20th to encourage parents to submit the School Meals Application, a program that enables children in New York City schools to be eligible for free and reduced-price lunches. Those who submit a School Meals Application are automatically entered in a contest to win a New York Jets-sponsored trip for two to the National Football League’s Pro Bowl on January 31, 2010 in Miami, FL. The sweepstakes is part of the DOE’s SchoolFood “Feed Your Mind” campaign and will run through November 25.

WHAT: Launch of sweepstakes held by the Jets and the NYC DOE to encourage families with children in New York City schools to fill out the School Meals application.

WHO: New York Jets player Dustin Keller
DOE Chief Executive for School Support Services Eric Goldstein
Public Schools Athletic League Director Donald Douglas

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2009

TIME: 10:00 AM

WHERE: Stuyvesant High School
345 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10282

CONTACT: David Cantor/Marge Feinberg, Department of Education, 212-374-5141
Jesse Linder, New York Jets, 973-549-4634

The New York Jets have signed WR Danny Woodhead to the active roster from the practice squad and have released DT Howard Green. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Woodhead (5-9/195/Chadron State/North Platte, NE), was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 8, 2009 after being waived Sept. 6.  He originally signed with the Jets on May 2, 2008 as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2008 season on injured reserve. He led the Jets in the 2009 preseason with 226 yards rushing, including 158 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the preseason finale against Philadelphia, Sept. 3.

Green (6-2/320/Louisiana State/Donaldsville, LA) signed with the Jets as an unrestricted free agent on Mar. 16, 2009.  He appeared in three games (at Houston, vs. Tennessee, at Miami) this season recording seven tackles (four solo).  Green played in 13 games with Seattle in 2008 and registered 21 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Originally a sixth-round draft selection of Houston in 2002, Green has played for Baltimore (2002), New Orleans (2003-04) and Seattle (2007-08). He went to training camp with New Orleans (2005), Miami (2006) and Minnesota (2007) before signing with Seattle as a free agent on Oct. 17, 2007

JETS, NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND LIME CONNECT

LAUNCH THE 2^ND ANNUAL “BE A CHAMPION”

CITYWIDE WRITING CONTEST FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The New York Jets, the New York City Department of Education, and Lime Connect (Lime), an organization that connects people with disabilities for employment, will launch the second annual “Be a Champion”, a citywide essay writing contest for middle and high school students with disabilities on October 6, at 2:00 PM at High School for Environmental Studies in Manhattan. In the essays students will reflect on concepts of achievement and success as they move to complete their secondary education and prepare for the challenges of the life beyond high school.

WHAT: Launch of 2^nd annual “Be a Champion” Essay Writing Contest

WHO: NY Jets player Tony Richardson
Chief Officer of Achievement for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners Laura Rodriguez
Lime’s Founder Rich Donovan
High School for Environmental Studies Principal Shirley Matthews, teachers, students

WHEN: Tuesday, October 6, 2009

TIME: 2:00 PM

WHERE: High School for Environmental Studies

• 444 W.56th St
  NY, NY 10019

The Jets announced today the launch of “Barking with Bart”, a weekly program broadcast on Jets TV, the internet video channel ofnewyorkjets.com. Scott, known as the “Madbacker” for wreaking havoc on the field, is taking his bark off the field for this new show and it is all for a good cause.

“The subject of the show is to not just talk about football but to talk about the events going on in society and also to give back,” Scott said. “I’m excited that all the proceeds from this show will be given out to charity. We have an exciting format where people can submit their causes and we’ll see if we can support that.”

Scott, whose foundation is named A Son Never Forgets, will make small-impact grants courtesy of the program to worthy charities.  The team has set up an email address —

scottcharity@newyorkjets.com — for viewers to submit charities for consideration.  All charitable requests must include the following information: a 501(c)3 Tax ID Number, a sampling of programs and a statement of what one would do with a small grant from Bart Scott. Bart will pick his first winner on air next week.

Known as the “Madbacker” because of his distaste for opponents, Scott joins Eric Allen in the Green & White broadcast studios (and sometimes on location) to talk Jets, football and life.  Tourism Toronto is sponsoring the program as Scott and the Jets are scheduled to visit Toronto, Canada, on Thursday, Dec. 3, in a nationally televised AFC East showdown against the Buffalo Bills.   Fans can book tickets and trip packages now at seetorontonow.com/jets or by calling Jets Getaways at 212-391-TRIP.

Encouraging fan barks as well, the Jets have created a new email address — bscott@newyorkjets.com — so viewers can write in and select comments and questions will be read and answered on-air.

“Barking with Bart” will be available to fans on most Tuesdays throughout the regular season and the program will also always be available in the website archive.  View the most recent installment, below: http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/multimedia/video/1766-barking-with-bart-week-4-with-the-madbacker

The NYC Department of Education, the New York Jets and PENCIL Announce Creation of Football Team at Cardozo High School and Continued Support for PSAL and C.H.A.M.P.S. Football Programs

Jets EVP and PENCIL Board Member and Partner Matt Higgins, along with Jets Players Jerricho Cotchery and Rob Turner, present $12,500 check to Cardozo High School and announce creation of $5,000 PSAL college scholarship

Jets also continue annual donation of $100,000 to PSAL High School Football

for Heads Up! Helmet Grant and C.H.A.M.P.S Middle School Flag Football Program

New York City Schools Deputy Chancellor Santiago Taveras, the New York Jets and PENCIL announced in a press conference yesterday the creation of a new football team at Cardozo High School in Queens, NY. Jets Executive Vice President of Business Operations Matt Higgins along with Jets players Jerricho Cotchery and Rob Turner presented a check for $12,500 to Cardozo High School to help begin a new football team at the school. In addition, the Jets announced the creation of a new $5,000 college scholarship for a Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) athlete who excels on the field as well as in the classroom. Finally, the Jets will also continue their annual $100,000 donation through the National Football League’s Youth Football Fund to the Heads Up! helmet and C.H.A.M.P.S. middle school flag football programs.

As a member of PENCIL’s Board of Directors and a Partner in its Partnership Program, Matt Higgins partnered with his alma mater Benjamin Cardozo High School this year to help launch Cardozo’s first football team. “We are excited to partner with Cardozo on a number of levels,” said Higgins. “Not only are we helping to grow the athletic program with the creation of this football team, but the scholarship is awarded on both academic and athletic excellence, a balance that we stress in all of our youth efforts throughout the tri-state area.”

In addition, Higgins is working with the principal to develop a communications team tasked with media relations, marketing, branding, and social networking efforts.  The goal is to develop a streamlined approach to gathering relevant and newsworthy information about the school and communicate it to a broader audience.

“Thanks to the New York Jets, our students are able to compete for a new college scholarship,” Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Santiago Taveras said. “The Jets have been strong partners and have helped increase students’ physical activity opportunities through our C.H.A.M.P.S. and PSAL programs as we work to raise student achievement in and outside of the classroom.”

“Benjamin Cardozo High School is recognized for its academic achievements, its ability to serve all students and with this donation we also hope to be known for our prowess on the gridiron,” said Cardozo High School principal Gerald Martori. “Our school is overjoyed to receive such a generous donation from the Jets to start our own football team. This is especially meaningful coming from Matt Higgins, a Cardozo alumnus, and Jets players Jerricho Cotchery and Rob Turner.”

In 2001 the New York Jets formed a community partnership with the PSAL to provide support to New York City public school football programs. The Jets and the PSAL expanded this partnership in 2005 and titled it Heads Up! Through an annual matching grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund, the New York Jets donate $100,000 to the PSAL’s football programs. This grant has helped to create nine new and developmental football teams and expand the C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Flag Football League to over 75 programs throughout the New York City public school system. Beyond these grants, the Jets continue to support the PSAL in a variety of other ways including honoring the PSAL football champions at a home game during the NFL season.

Through the Department of Education’s C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Sport and Fitness League, students are empowered to become Cooperative, Healthy, Active, Motivated, Positive Students—for life.  Regardless of athletic ability, student participants in C.H.A.M.P.S. have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of physical activities before or after school, including traditional and non-traditional sports, along with fitness activities that can be maintained long after their school days are over.

PENCIL inspires innovative solutions to the challenges facing New York City public schools by building and supporting customized relationships between business leaders and principals.  By bringing together the best ideas, resources and talent across sectors, we develop strong leaders, build school capacity, enhance student learning, and inspire greater community and corporate support, to create real change in our City’s schools.  For more information, visit www.pencil.org or call 646-638-0565.

The New York Jets have waived TE Martrez Milner. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Milner (TE/6-4/260/Georgia/Gainesville, GA) was originally claimed by the Jets off waivers from the Giants on May 27. He entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (133rd overall) by the Falcons in the 2007 NFL Draft. Milner played one season with the Falcons (2007) and recorded nine receptions for 50 yards in eight games, starting two. In 2008, he was inactive for Atlanta’s first two games before he was waived, Sept. 16. Milner signed with the Giants practice squad, Sept. 23, and was with the Giants until he was waived May 21, 2009.

The New York Jets have reached agreement with QB Mark Sanchez, the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Sanchez (6-2/227/Southern California/Mission Viejo, CA), in 27 games at the University of Southern California, completed 313-of-487 passes (64.3 percent) for 3,965 yards, 41 touchdowns (sixth in USC history) and 16 interceptions, going 14-2 as a starter.

In 2008, Sanchez started all 13 games and completed 241-of-366 passes (65.5 percent) for 3,207 yards (led Pac-10), 34 touchdowns (second-best in USC history) and 10 interceptions for a 164.64 passing efficiency rating (sixth in the nation), earning All Pac-10 first team honors. He was also a finalist for the Manning Award and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award and Maxwell Award as well as an honorable mention All-American byPro Football Weekly and Sports Illustrated.

The New York Jets have signed free agent LB Craig Kobel and have waived LB Nate Harris and DL Brian Schaefering. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Kobel (South Florida/Lake Worth, FL/6-2/265) played 2008 with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 23, 2007 and released on Aug. 28. He also played for Cologne in NFL Europa in 2007 and the AFL’s Utah Blaze in 2006.

Harris (Louisville/Miami, FL/6-0/230), was originally signed as a free agent on Feb. 19, 2009 after being waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on July 25, 2008. In 2007 he played in 15 games, tallying two solo tackles on defense and leading the Chiefs with 20 special teams tackles.

Schaefering (Lindenwood/St. Louis, MO/6-5/295), was signed to the Jets practice squad on Dec. 17, 2008.  Prior to the Jets, Schaefering was waived by the Browns on Aug. 26, 2008 after spending a portion of training camp in Cleveland.

The New York Jets have signed free agent P Reggie Hodges and waived P Eric Wilbur. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Hodges (6-0, 235/Ball State/Champaign, IL) originally signed to the Jets active roster on Sept. 7, 2008, punting 12 games in 2008. He compiled a 42.8 average on 44 punts, with a 35.5 net average and 23 punts inside-the-20 yard-line. He was on released on April 27, 2009. In his career, he has punted in 20 games for the Rams, Eagles and Jets, with a career average of 40.2 on 85 punts with a net of 33.9. Hodges was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft (210th overall) by the St. Louis Rams. He appeared in five games for the Rams, before he was waived Oct. 10. He then signed with the Eagles on Nov. 2 and appeared in three games, before he was waived Nov. 22. Hodges participated in training camp for the Colts in 2006 and 2007 and for the Seahawks in 2008.

Wilbur (6-2, 200/Florida/Orlando, FL) signed with the Jets as a free agent, April 15, 2009. He originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans on May 4, 2007 and was released July 23. He also was signed and released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Aug. 8, 2007. Wilbur became the first punter at the University of Florida to be named a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. He concluded his collegiate career first in school history in punting yardage (9,900), attempts (231) and second in average (42.9), producing 39 punts of 50-or-more yards.