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 New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agent S Jim Leonhard and re-signed unrestricted free agent FB Tony Richardson. The announcements were made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Jim Leonhard (5-8/186/Wisconsin/Ladysmith, WI), a four-year veteran, joins the Jets after spending one season with the Baltimore Ravens. Signed by the Ravens as an unrestricted free agent in 2008, he played in all 16 games and made 13 starts for a defense that ranked second overall in the NFL. He finished fourth on the team with 85 tackles and added one sack, one interception and six passes defensed. On special teams he averaged 11.6 yards on 20 punt returns and 20.4 yards on eight kickoff returns. His 2008 totals represent career highs in starts, tackles and passes defensed, He recorded 16 tackles (third on the team) during the Ravens three post-season games in 2008, while adding 0.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Prior to signing with Baltimore in 2008, Leonhard played three seasons for the Buffalo Bills, earning action in 38 games while making seven starts. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Bills in 2005.

For his career, Leonhard has played in 54 games with 20 starts and recorded 144 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, nine passes defensed and 19 special teams tackles. Additionally, he has averaged 10.5 yards on 31 punt returns and 22.6 yards on 11 kickoff returns.

“I’ve liked Jim since his days at Wisconsin and was excited when we were able to bring him to Baltimore last season,” said Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan. “He was everything I expected him to be in 2008 when he bailed us out at safety after we had some injuries. He’s a smart player that can get guys lined up in the secondary and was one of the best tacklers on that Ravens defense. He’s always around the ball, brings everything he has on every play and will be a great addition to our group of defensive backs.”

Richardson (6-1, 238, Auburn/Daleville, AL), a 14-year NFL veteran, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. During his first season with the Jets in 2008, Richardson served as the primary lead blocker for Thomas Jones career-record 13 rushing touchdowns and helped Jones earn his first Pro Bowl appearance by leading the way for his AFC-best 1,312 rushing yards.

A Pro Bowl selection following the 2003, 2004 and 2007 seasons, Richardson has served as the lead blocker for Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, helping each of them rush for more than 1,200 yards in a combined total of six seasons.

In 14 seasons, Richardson has played in 202 games and earned 113 starts. He has rushed for 1,666 yards and 15 touchdowns on 417 carries and has added 202 receptions for 1,502 yards and nine scores.

The New York Jets have named fullback Tony Richardson as the Club’s 2008 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Through his Rich in Spirit Foundation and the New York Jets Community Relations Department, Tony has impacted many lives throughout the country. As the Jets’ award winner, Richardson will receive $1,000 to donate to the Rich in Spirit Foundation, his 501(c)(3) organization of choice. Richardson is eligible to win the national Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and be recognized at a press conference during Super Bowl week in Florida. The national winner will receive $25,000 to donate to the 501(c)(3) organization of his choice. Since 1970, the NFL has awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award to recognize a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

NFL Charities requires a panel of no less than six people to vote for the Man of the Year winner. Two-thirds (2/3) of the panel must be external members from outside organizations, including one media representative and one non-profit/government representative. This year’s panel included Dan Leberfeld, Publisher, Jets Confidential, C. J. Papa, Islanders Reporter, MSG Network, Brooks Thomas, Director of Sports Special Events for the New York March of Dimes, Laura Dyer, Assistant Vice President Strategic Events and Community Relations for Davis Vision and two representatives from the Jets Community Relations Department.

Tony Richardson established the Rich in Spirit Foundation in 1999 to extend a helping hand in order to uplift the lives and spirits of individuals, with particular attention to enhancing personal growth in children. Since its inception, this three-time Pro Bowl fullback has personally donated more than 1 million dollars and made more than 1,000 appearances. Tony was named Pro Football Weekly’s “Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian of the Year” in 2003; recipient of the 2006 OverTime Magazine’s OTX Lifelong Service Award; received the 2005 Distinguished Citizen Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, an organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America; recipient of the 2002 Pop Warner Round Table Award; and voted an “NFL Good Guy” for five consecutive years by the Sporting News. Currently, Tony serves as spokesperson for the New York Jets and Lime Connect, Inc. Be a Champion disability awareness campaign. Tony’s efforts have benefited those in Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey. He runs all foundation activities and has no paid staff.

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 “Be a Champion”, a citywide essay writing contest for middle and high school students with disabilities tomorrow, September 16, at 12.30 PM at J.H.S. 167 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 “Be a Champion” Essay Writing Contest

WHO: NY Jets player Tony Richardson, Lime’s Founder Rich Donovan, DOE Deputy Chancellor Dr. Marcia Lyles, J.H.S. Principal Jennifer Rhen, teachers, and students.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

TIME: 12:30 PM

WHERE: J.H.S. 167 Robert F. Wagner

220 East 76 St., Manhattan
(School library)