Decker and Thomas Bring Holiday Cheer to Kids

The holiday spirit was alive and well on Monday night, Dec. 6, as Denver Broncos players Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas helped 25 members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver enjoy the gift of giving. The rookie wide receivers gave their time and personal attention to the kids to help them purchase Christmas gifts for members of their family at SuperTarget in Lone Tree, Colo.

The children were selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs for their outstanding participation in their after-school program. They had prepared detailed shopping lists of items to purchase, and were allowed a generous budget to find gifts to bring cheer to as many family members as possible this holiday season.

Lists in hand and smiles on their faces, the kids lined up their carts and set out with Decker, Thomas, volunteers and store associates to find just the right gifts for the special people in their lives.

Decker and two young shoppers made their first stop in the toy department, looking over the array of Nerf guns and Lego sets, very popular for the boys on their lists. He helped the boys sort out which items fit together before it was time to move onto taking care of other family members.

Thomas and his troops covered a lot of ground throughout the store and assessed the scene before their carts began to fill up. First up was a plush, pink bathrobe and centerpiece with candles for mom, followed by a collection of Hot Wheels cars for a nephew.

“I’m happy that I can actually buy my family presents,” remarked one young shopper. “My Mom is going to be happy and my brother, he usually doesn’t get anything for Christmas from me. It’s just heartwarming…there’s no way to explain it.”

Offensive lineman Zane Beadles joined his fellow rookie teammates on this night and shared his wisdom on everything from clothing to toys for the kids.

As the children reached their budget limit and made sure they had covered everyone on their list, they moved to the gift-wrapping stage. Decker, Thomas and Beadles also proved to be quite capable in that arena. They stayed until the last packages were wrapped and then bid farewell to their new friends and fellow shoppers.

Each was extremely generous with his time and helped make a special night even more meaningful for the children, who spoke of their appreciation.

“It’s really nice of them,” said one child. “They’re helping you and walking you all around the store, helping you find things for your family, just having fun.”

Several others spoke of the joy it gave them to be able to have gifts for the other members of their families, who often might not receive a gift at all. These are lasting impressions that will make an impact not only on the children, but on their new football-playing friends as well.

The evening was made possible by a generous grant from Doug Morton and Marilyn Brown.

Special thanks to Sandi Loveland and the team at the SuperTarget store in Lone Tree, Colo., store for being such a terrific partner in this program.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Denver Broncos Rookie WRs Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas To Bring Cheer to Kids

MEDIA ADVISORY: Friday, Dec. 3, 2010

CONTACT: ProLink Sports
Paul Kirk, 303-929-4686 / pkirk@prolinksports.net
Judianne Atencio, 303-886-3950 / jatencio@prolinksports.net

DENVER BRONCOS WRs ERIC DECKER AND DEMARYIUS THOMAS LEND A HAND TO CHILDREN WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPING TRIP

Rookie wide receivers will be joined by teammates Monday, Dec. 6 to shop with children from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

WHO:
Denver Broncos wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas reach out to help children in their community by hosting a holiday shopping trip. They will be joined by a number of their teammates for this festive evening to bring cheer to children in need this holiday season.

WHAT:
Twenty-five children, ranging in age from 8 to 14, are being rewarded for their outstanding participation in their after-school program with a trip to buy holiday presents. They have been encouraged to write up their “Holiday Wish Lists” in preparation for this exciting evening. Each child will be given a budget to shop for gifts for other members of his or her family.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

WHEN:
Monday, December 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
SuperTarget – 10001 Commons Street, Lone Tree, CO, 80124 (Yosemite & Lincoln, just west of I-25 & Lincoln).

**GREAT VISUALS; MEDIA WELCOME TO ATTEND**

# # #

Paxton Serves Up Best Shot with Active Force Foundation Fundraiser

The Active Force Foundation is rapidly expanding its reach and impact in Colorado, a year-and-a-half after vice president Lonie Paxton’s signing with the Denver Broncos. After the success of April’s NFL Draft Party and Bowling Bash, AFF took another huge step forward on Sept. 28, 2010 with the inaugural Lonie Paxton Celebrity Sporting Clays Challenge at Kiowa Creek Sporting Club near Bennett, Colo.

Different from the usual golf events, it was Paxton’s vision to bring to Colorado a unique and different form of fundraiser that gave people the chance to come out and compete with one another on Kiowa Creek’s professionally-designed clays course. The day included a pre-event barbecue lunch, courtesy of Leevers Supermarkets, the 12-station clays competition, post-event awards ceremony, dinner courtesy of Angie’s Restaurant, and both silent and live auctions.

Clear blue Colorado skies and a record temperature of 92 degrees greeted the nearly 120 participants in this inaugural event. For AFF’s first sporting clays event, those who signed up and came out to compete in the event came away incredibly impressed. The show put on by AFF and the effort by Paxton to welcome everyone and ensure they enjoyed their day made a tremendous impact.

Active Force Foundation president/founder Brook Duquesnel, mechanic/engineer Brandon Duquesnel and operations assistant Boyd Livesey were on hand to display AFF’s unique four-wheel mountain bikes, and “fly the flag” of the foundation to give participants a better idea of how their support of this event impacts the lives of disabled athletes through the foundation’s programs.

Paxton’s Denver Broncos teammates showed their support of AFF by coming out and shooting alongside the competitors, while waging their own battle for top score among the players. Quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn; offensive linemen Russ Hochstein, Zane Beadles and J.D. Walton; defensive tackle Justin Bannan and punter Britton Colquitt were joined by Denver Broncos VP of Security Dave Abrams on the course and showed there is a wide range of ability on that Broncos roster.

There’s no question Lonie Paxton is appreciated and respected in that Broncos locker room. He not only gets his teammates out to his events, but he designs fundraisers with competitions that appeal to his teammates. It’s worth noting that when Orton attended AFF’s Bowling Bash he brought his own ball, and Quinn arrived Tuesday at the sporting clays competition with his own shotgun. These guys are serious about making their support count!

Our most special guests were the U.S. Army wounded warriors from the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo. It was our honor to have a group of soldiers attend the event and enjoy the company of so many who appreciate their valiant service to our country.

“When service men and women return from war or duty, AFF strives to create an experience that temporarily releases them from the constant mental and physical stresses they’re eduring,” Paxton said. “For AFF to have an impact on soldiers’ lives when they come back is the entire reason we do what we do. Our camps really show what the fundraising and our team can accomplish, but the events themselves are a way to involve teammates, the community, sponsors, servicemen and women, and the Active Force team in a fun environment that reiterates the purpose, but also have a fun time doing it.”

AFF’s programs are designed to give those wounded soldiers a physical outlet to enhance both their physical and mental recovery, and events like today’s allow us to expand that reach and show our appreciation by giving them a day out to enjoy a good time and some quality competition (please see below for comments by soldiers about how they enjoyed their time at the event).

The players’ and soldiers’ attendance added to what was already a festive atmosphere. Following the competition everybody gathered back at the main tent to listen to the Fabulous Parker Brothers Band, bid on the outstanding silent auction items and enjoy a delicious dinner provided by Angie’s Restaurant while they awaited the final scores to be tallied.

The team from Ultra Petroleum took home the top prize with a collective score of 339, followed by Bank of Colorado (266) and Sturgeon Electric (254). The Broncos competition was hotly contested, with Abrams scoring a 56, and among players Quinn led the way with a score of 51, narrowly edging Colquitt (48).

The event closed with an outstanding live auction, which included a cow elk hunt, dinner with Paxton & Bannan at The Union restaurant, a suite at the Pepsi Center for a Denver Nuggets game and a “Broncos Experience” including tickets, and pre- and postgame passes.

ProLink Sports would like to thank all those who came together to make this event happen, including Kiowa Creek Sporting Club and their phenomenal staff for providing a first-class venue for this inaugural event. We would also like to thank Keith Dailey & Jim Mundle of Douglas County Living magazine; James Kelly and Red Bull; our MC Sam Adams; Leevers Supermarkets, Angie’s Restaurant and event sponsors Steve Evans and the Elk Ranch, Fred Aesquival, Bank of Colorado, The E Company, Billy Halax, Innovative Interiors, Intermountain Rural Electric Association, Phil Long Ford, Retirement Strategies, Speed Raceway, StarTek, Sturgeon Electric, Ultra Petroleum and Water Extraction Team.

It was an honor to have the soldiers from the WTU at Fort Carson as Active Force Foundation's guests at the event, and an additional honor to receive such kind comments afterwards:

"Today I was like anyone else. I was part of society. I wasn't an Army misfit. I had the freedom to do things here today just like everyone else. My mind was totally off what's going on in my life. I wasn't thinking about the pain. I wasn't thinking about the next doctor's appointment. I was back to being a person. Not a WT.”

"I know it's going to hurt. But some things are just worth it. Today was one of those days. I probably won't be able to walk tomorrow, but for today, I enjoyed it and it was worth it."

Links to media coverage of the event:

Denver Post (Wed., Sept. 29, 2010) "Broncos' Paxton takes best shot at helping disabled"
DenverBroncos.com (Fri., Oct. 1, 2010) "Paxton's Sporting Clays Challenge for a Cause"
CBS4 Denver, Countdown to Kickoff (Sun., Oct. 3, 2010) "Get to Know: Broncos' Paxton and Active Force Foundation"

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010

CONTACT—ProLink Sports
Paul Kirk, 303-929-4686 / pkirk@prolinksports.net

“TUESDAYS WITH EDDIE MAC” RETURNS ON 87.7 FM “THE TICKET”

Former Denver Bronco Back for Second Year of Popular Show Sponsored by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

DENVER—Former Denver Broncos great Ed McCaffrey returns to the Denver airwaves on Tuesday, Aug. 17 for the second year of his popular show “Tuesdays with Eddie Mac” sponsored by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.

McCaffrey’s show will air each Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. on 87.7 FM “The Ticket” on the Vic and Gary show, co-hosted by Vic Lombardi and Gary Miller of CBS4 Sports. The trio will break down all the action in the NFL and with the hometown Denver Broncos, and provide fans Ed’s unique take from the players’ perspective.

McCaffrey was widely respected for his toughness and team-first attitude throughout his 13-year NFL career, as well as his ability to dissect for fans what they are seeing on the field and articulate the story behind it.

A fan favorite during his nine seasons in Denver (1995-2003), McCaffrey has maintained an active presence in the Colorado community as company pitchman, corporate and event speaker and host of The Ed McCaffrey Football Camps. He remains extremely popular with the region’s sports fans and has continued to support the community through The McCaffrey Family Foundation.

“Vic and Gary” airs Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. on 87.7 “The Ticket” and features two of the most recognizable authorities on sports in Colorado. CBS4’s Lombardi and Miller have earned the respect of players, coaches, fans and fellow members of the media for their straightforward, intelligent and entertaining approach to their reporting and commentary.

Ed McCaffrey is represented by ProLink Sports, LLC, a full-service athlete representation firm specializing in image management, public relations, community outreach, media training and media placement for professional athletes.

# # #

About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB): Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., has been serving up wholesome, fun dining experiences in a family-friendly environment for more than 40 years. Red Robin, the “Smiling Burger®” expert, is famous for serving more than two dozen high-quality, Honest to Goodness® gourmet burgers with Bottomless Steak Fries®, as well as a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, appetizers, entrees and signature Bottomless Beverages™. There are more than 430 Red Robin® restaurants located across the United States and Canada, including corporate-owned locations and those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin… YUMMM™!

About 87.7 The Ticket: 87.7 FM “The Ticket” is Denver’s “Live and Local” sports talk radio station. Award-winning CBS4 television sports personalities Vic Lombardi and Gary Miller present “Vic and Gary” each weekday morning from 7-9 a.m. The lineup also includes Chad Andrus & Patrick Watkins (9 a.m.-Noon), Charles Johnson & Joel Klatt (Noon-3 p.m.), Les Shapiro, G-Man & JoJo (3-7 p.m.) and Nate Kreckman (7-10 p.m.).

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Colorado Springs Gazette Drops Broncos Beat

The decision by The Gazette of Colorado Springs last week to stop covering the Denver Broncos with a dedicated beat reporter has caused a stir not only in Colorado sports media circles, but also among NFL reporters in other cities.

It is a tribute to the respect within the industry for the Gazette's (now former) Broncos beat reporter Frank Schwab. It is also a reaction to the curious decision made by a newspaper that while not originating in Denver proper, does represent a large community in the Broncos "secondary market," where there is a strong Denver Broncos fan-base and a large number of season-ticket holders.

Schwab, who did an outstanding job and consistently got better during his seven years on the beat, will now cover the Air Force Falcons. Air Force football is huge in its home city of Colorado Springs, so putting Schwab on that beat is a wise move journalistically. The team deserves great local coverage and Schwab will provide that.

Schwab also gets a gift in the form of a reunion with Falcons head coach Troy Calhoun--not only an extremely talented and successful coach, but a true gentleman and first-class guy. I had the pleasure of working with Coach Calhoun when he was on the Broncos staff (2003-05) and have enjoyed seeing his ascension from quality-control coach to coordinator to collegiate head coach. A true example of good things happening to good people.

The timing of the Gazette's decision to drop the Broncos beat is odd too, because Schwab had gained even more of a foothold on the Broncos beat with last year's shuttering of the Rocky Mountain News and the relationships he had established through his longevity in that spot. Competing against the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News was not always easy, but Schwab made his mark and made those papers' coverage better in the process.

Schwab was also the most active reporter I've seen engaging readers/fans on Twitter. He worked hard to inform them and generate debate, but always maintained an even keel, took criticism in stride and never made it personal. Those who followed him as @fs3142 can now do so as @GazetteAirForce.

What remains to be seen is whether the Gazette experiences any drop-off in readership by replacing beat reporting on the most popular sports team in the region with what will presumably be a mix of AP stories and Gazette columns. The assumption is that the paper believes the work of its fine columnist David Ramsey will provide the personalized local touch on the Broncos beat.

Viewed through that lens, it could prove to be a financially savvy way for a newspaper to confront the economic challenges of its business by deploying its best people in places where they can make the most impact, while trusting they won't experience a drop-off in the process. But it does seem like a questionable decision given the immense popularity of the Denver Broncos in the state of Colorado and beyond. My suspicion is that it is a gamble on the habits of readers, not a statement that they believe that popularity has waned.

Time will tell, but what is certain is that it is time to salute Frank for his excellent work on the Broncos beat, and for being a true professional to work with (except when he kept my VHS copy of Super Bowl XXXII for more than a year for a piece he was researching; he did return it in proper working condition, though maybe not rewound). He appears to be the last in a line of outstanding reporters with whom I enjoyed working in that role, preceded by Kamon Simpson, John Branch, the late Jim Lassiter and Mike Burrows since 1995.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Lonie Paxton's Celebrity Sporting Clays Challenge Set For Sept. 28, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 14, 2010

CONTACTS:
Paul Kirk, ProLink Sports: (303) 929-4686 / pkirk@prolinksports.net
Judianne Atencio, ProLink Sports: (303) 886-3950 / jatencio@prolinksports.net

LONIE PAXTON’S CELEBRITY SPORTING CLAYS CHALLENGE SET FOR SEPT. 28, 2010

Event Features NFL Stars Teaming Up to Support Active Force Foundation

DENVER—The First Annual Lonie Paxton Celebrity Sporting Clays Challenge is coming to Colorado Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010. Join Denver Broncos long-snapper Lonie Paxton and a number of his teammates and sports figures for this one-of-a-kind event at the Kiowa Creek Sporting Club in Bennett, Colo. (46700 E. County Rd. 30).

This event benefits Paxton’s Active Force Foundation and its mission to provide opportunity for physically challenged individuals to engage in a healthy lifestyle through sports experience and education. Active Force Foundation provides camps for disabled athletes to experience the unique four-wheel mountain bikes they have designed and built.

“I’m excited to have an event of this kind in Colorado,” Paxton said. “The people here have been terrific in supporting Active Force Foundation, and we’re looking to build up our programs to reach even more disabled athletes and give them outdoor experiences they’ve never had before.”

The 2010 Celebrity Sporting Clays Challenge is an event you don’t want to miss. Participants enjoy the opportunity to test their skills on Kiowa Creek’s professionally designed sporting clays course. You don’t need to be an expert marksman—this event caters to all experience levels, even those who have never shot before. Lunch and dinner are provided, as well as entertainment and a special opportunity to mingle with some of Colorado’s most recognizable athletes.

“Come out and enjoy a great time with my teammates and me in support of a great cause,” Paxton said. If you’ve never shot before, don’t let that stop you. There’s something for everyone, and you might just like shooting clays more than you expected.”

Sponsorship and ticket information are available by visiting www.prolinksports.net or calling Judianne Atencio of ProLink Sports at (303) 886-3950. There are several levels of sponsorship packages available, and they can be tailored to meet a company or organization’s unique interests.

To learn more about Active Force Foundation please visit www.activeforcefoundation.org.

# # #

ABOUT ACTIVE FORCE FOUNDATION
NFL player Lonie Paxton launched Active Force Foundation in 2003. Its mission is to implement its downhill four-wheel mountain bikes into adaptive sports camps and programs throughout the world in order to better serve the disabled sports community. Paxton is in his second year with the Denver Broncos in 2010 after playing eight years with the New England Patriots, where he won three Super Bowls.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports

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Lonie Paxton's Active Force Foundation Bowls Perfect Strike with NFL Draft Party/Bowling Bash

Lonie Paxton put his Active Force Foundation on the map in Colorado in a big way last Thursday when his 2010 NFL Draft Party and Bowling Bash brought out stars and heroes to share in a perfect strike of fundraising excitement at Brunswick Zone in Lone Tree.

The stars came in the form of Paxton, the Denver Broncos’ long-snapper, and 15 of his teammates, including All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn, starting tight end Daniel Graham and run-stoppers Darrell Reid, Ronald Fields and Mario Haggan.

But the real stars of the night were heroes from the U.S. Army’s Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo. A group of 54 soldiers and family members from that unit were the honored guests of Active Force Foundation, invited to share in the fun of the night and have a good time bowling and watching the draft with guests, sponsors and NFL players.

Active Force Foundation was created by Paxton and friend Brook Duquesnel in 2003 to build adaptive sports equipment and create programs for disabled athletes and wounded soldiers to enjoy outdoor recreational sports. Together they teamed up with engineer Jason Yim to build unique four-wheel mountain bikes that create a “level playing field” for all athletes to experience the rush of traversing a wilderness trail.

The event was Active Force’s first in Colorado. Paxton started the foundation during his nine-year stint with the New England Patriots (2000-08), and sees tremendous opportunities for growth since his 2009 free-agent signing with the Broncos. The move was not only a positive one for his football career, but Colorado’s abundant mountain terrain and large military presence make it a natural home for Active Force Foundation to take its fundraising and programming to new heights.

By the nature of their position, long-snappers mostly fly under the radar—and that’s just fine with Paxton. But off the field he has big goals for the reach of AFF’s mission and the impact the Foundation can have on people’s lives.

Last Thursday’s Draft Party and Bowling Bash showed the Active Force Foundation is well on its way to gathering the kind of momentum and support that make its goals fully attainable.

Congratulations to Lonie, Brook and Jason, and a special thank-you to Paul Sheehy and ProStar Sports. It was a pleasure to work with them on this event.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Lonie Paxton of Denver Broncos to Host Draft Party & Bowling Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 (**updated April 7, 2010**)

CONTACT:
Paul Kirk, ProLink Sports
(303) 929-4686 / pkirk@prolinksports.net


DENVER BRONCO LONIE PAXTON TO HOST 2010 NFL DRAFT PARTY AND BOWLING BASH

DENVER—Denver Broncos long-snapper Lonie Paxton and the Active Force Foundation will host the 2010 NFL Draft and Bowling Bash party on Thursday, April 22 at Brunswick Zone in Lone Tree, Colo. The proceeds will benefit Active Force Foundation and its support of U.S. Army wounded warriors. Brunswick Zone is located at 9255 Kimmer Dr. (please note the change from the original venue, Mr. Bigg's).

Paxton will be joined by many of his Denver Broncos teammates for this special event, centered around the first round of the NFL Draft, being held for the first time on a weeknight in prime time.

The Draft Party kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and the fun continues with the Celebrity Bowling Bash at 5:30 p.m., in which sponsors will bowl with Lonie and other NFL players, as well as wounded warriors from Fort Carson, Colo.

“The causes supported by this event are very important to me,” Paxton said. “This is the perfect way to come together, have some fun and raise money for organizations I respect and support. Come join us as we salute our country's true heroes.”

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now:

Warrior Sponsorship—$500
* One bowling lane. Two sponsor guests bowl with two warriors and an NFL player
* 10 general admission Draft Party tickets
* Autographed Football to collect remembrances of the evening
* Exclusive photo opportunity experiences with America's heroes from the battlefield and football field

Hero Sponsorship—$250
* One bowling lane. Four sponsor guests bowl for one three-hour session
* 10 general admission Draft Party tickets

2010 NFL Draft Party Tickets—$20
* Watch the first round of the NFL Draft with members of the Denver Broncos and other NFL players (Does not include bowling)

Space is limited. To purchase a lane or tickets please download the event flyer and registration form found online at www.activeforcefoundation.org. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available through AFF by sending a message to PaxtonDraftParty@aol.com or by calling (303) 886-3950.

ABOUT ACTIVE FORCE FOUNDATION
NFL player Lonie Paxton launched Active Force Foundation in 2003. Its mission is to implement its downhill four-wheel mountain bikes into adaptive sports camps and programs throughout the world in order to better serve the disabled sports community. Paxton is in his second year with the Denver Broncos in 2010 after playing nine years with the New England Patriots, where he won three Super Bowls.

# # #

Quotes from Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith on Floyd Little & Shannon Sharpe

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Floyd Little—Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2010

Former Denver Broncos wide receivers Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith provided the following quotes to recognize today’s election of former Bronco Floyd Little into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2010, and the exclusion of their former teammate Shannon Sharpe.

Rod Smith on Shannon Sharpe and Floyd Little:
“I’m very disappointed about Shannon not getting in because there’s not a more deserving person for his position. I know it’s inevitable that he will be enshrined in Canton one day, because that’s the class of player he was, but I don’t think he should have to wait long.”

“At the same time I take my hat off to Floyd Little because he’s a great guy and was the face of the Denver Broncos franchise for so long. He kept the organization in the national spotlight all by himself with the way he played. Today he is still an ambassador for the NFL and how you’re supposed to go about doing things as a person. It makes me proud to have him be the third Denver Bronco enshrined in Canton because he definitely deserves that.”

“Now we just need to get more Denver Broncos in there.”

Quote from Ed McCaffrey on Floyd Little:
“Floyd Little helped build the Denver Broncos in the early years, and created the opportunity for myself and others to come to Denver and play for a great franchise with the best fans in the world. I’m thankful for that and thrilled to see him finally recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Floyd was not only a special player, but is a man of great character and integrity. We are all proud to have him represent our Denver Broncos in Canton.”

McCaffrey on Shannon Sharpe:
“Shannon was one of the hardest-working guys I ever played with, and is unquestionably one of the greatest tight ends to play this game. I’m sorry to see he did not make this year’s class. He is very deserving, and belongs among the game’s very best.”

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Athletes In The Community: A Holiday Tradition

It is said too often that the public does not hear enough about the good deeds professional athletes perform in their communities. That's part of what we try to overcome at ProLink Sports. Not only publicizing their good deeds, but working with them to create more opportunities for building connections with fans and the general public, and helping those in need.

Athletes who recognize the opportunity and forum they have to positively impact their communities often enjoy a more fulfilling career and are rewarded with greater opportunties in retirement.

We're fortunate to see numerous examples of this in Colorado this Holiday season, as members of each professional sports franchise have taken part in numerous events to bring joy to those less fortunate.

In addition to the number of team-organized events that each franchise does a tremendous job putting together, athletes have been all over the city with events of their own.

At ProLink Sports we've been proud to organize Holiday-related outreach for Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins and outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil. We kicked things off in November, bringing together King Soopers grocery stores and Meadow Gold Dairies to partner with Brian to provide 250 complete Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout Colorado. The folks at the Salvation Army stepped up to coordinate the distribution of the meal certificates. Brian also stepped forward in December to help Toys For Tots make up a significant shortfall in toy donations compared to previous years.

We worked with Elvis to organize a Holiday shopping trip for 54 kids between the ages of 11 and 13 from the Rev. Leon Kelly's Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives Program in Denver. The Dec. 7 outing gave these children--chosen for their high achievement and dedication to the program--a chance to shop for gifts for their family members, with special help from Elvis and a few of his friends. He was joined by teammates Champ Bailey, Andra Davis, David Bruton and Darrell Reid; former Bronco Rod Smith and Colorado Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes. We would also like to thank the event's benefactors, Doug Morton and Marilyn Brown, as well as Tom Michals and the fine crew at the Stapleton Walmart store.

Many athletes "give back" to their communities and never wish to publicize their efforts. When appropriate, it's nice to shine a light on some of these good deeds because it not only raises awareness for people and organizations in need, but often serves to motivate others in the community that they too can give of themselves to make an impact. A recognizable athlete has the ability to help directly, but also a forum to rally others and generate a greater impact.

From ProLink Sports, we wish all a Happy Holiday season and thank our clients, partners and friends who help make our work possible.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports

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NFL Training Camps Underway; Majority Now at "Home"

As of today nine NFL training camps are underway, at least for rookies, and by the weekend the majority of teams will have their full squads beginning the two-a-day regimen, or what passes for two-a-days in this era.

While the mystique of "camp" lives on, the reality is that in the past decade there has been a major shift in what it really means.

Two areas where the greatest change has occurred are training camp location and the practice schedule. Or basically, everything but heat, sweat and injuries.

As detailed in a recent press release from the NFL PR department--and noted by Patrick Smyth of Denver Broncos PR via his Twitter feed (@psmyth12)--17 teams this year will hold training camp at their permanent facilities. This figure is up from just four teams in the year 2000.

Driving this change is the continued improvement and amenities at team training facilities and the sophistication of offseason strength and conditioning programs. Put simply, when NFL players are spending four days per week at their facilities from March to July, working out together and studying the offense and defense, there isn't much need to pack up, move to a remote location, whip everybody into shape and build team unity. The players are already in terrific shape and by the time they hit the field for the first training camp practice they are working through an installation they have already experienced in May and June during their Organized Team Activities, or OTAs.

In 2003 with the Denver Broncos we made the switch from our training camp home of 20 years, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, to stay home and train at the permanent facility at Dove Valley. Once the change was made it was remarkable how much more efficient things were without having to move the entire football operations and other football-related business operations to a new location. We typically spent as much as a week getting set up and working through things that didn't function properly (i.e., computer systems).

Sure, there was always a sense of camaraderie and team-building at UNC, but that was greatly overshadowed by the aforementioned inefficiencies for what had also become a much shorter period of time. It seems we were getting ready to tear-down and move back to Dove Valley shortly after we got set up, in contrast to the six-week camps of the '70s and early '80s.

The latter point is an important one, as the schedule now includes far fewer true two-a-day sessions and fewer practices in pads over what is now just a three- or four-week period. The entire experience is now geared more toward perfecting the offensive and defensive schemes and learning to be efficient working as a team. By this point the coaches have hours of video to evaluate players from the OTA sessions, and training camp continues that process, followed by preseason games to add game speed and reacting to an unfamilar opponent to the evaluation.

To be fair, it has been noted by the well-respected Mike Signora of NFL PR in his Twitter feed (@signoranfl) that the last four Super Bowl champions went away for training camp. While I don't think all 32 teams will train at home at any time in the near future, the previous point is more a nod to the fact there are some unique traditions that make going away the better option for some teams, as in the Steelers' 43-year run at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. And some teams' facilities still cannot accommodate training camp, if for no other reason than the challenge of housing and food service.

But the move to teams training at their permanent facilities is a trend that is not expected to reverse any time soon. If a franchise has all the elements in place or available near its permanent facility, it is likely to prefer that location over the time, cost and inefficiency of moving away for training camp.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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NFL Draft Memories

The NFL Draft is upon us. It’s not just a two-day festival once known so understatedly as the "NFL Player Selection Meeting,” but a four-month odyssey that has become one of the major sports unto itself, alongside the NBA and MLB.

It begins, really, the day a team’s season ends in the fan’s mind—and sometimes sooner depending on how bad the season was. And then it’s the Combine, the college Pro Days, the individual workouts, combined with the rhetoric and bluster from agents, the misinformation and smokescreens thrown out by the teams, and fans’ insatiable desire to know which players are going to come in and save their team. It is incredible what a two-day “selection meeting” has become.

And when it’s over, nobody—not fans, media or the teams themselves—actually knows for sure what they have. Not for 2-3 years will those answers begin to emerge, but that doesn’t stop every media outlet far and wide from offering instant analysis and judgment. It’s their job, and the fans want it. So keep the machine cranking—there’s another mock draft to post in 10 minutes!

Over the course of 13 NFL Drafts as a media relations executive with the Denver Broncos, quite a few memories come back to me this time of year, mostly about the individuals who came and went as a result of those drafts. There were years we selected a whopping 12 players (1996 and ’99) and a year we chose only three (1997); a year when our first pick didn’t come until round four (1995), and two when we were finished by the end of that round. Some of the highlights:

--As far as personalities and commanding presence, I’ll never forget the day we first laid eyes on Al Wilson, a day after the linebacker was made our first-round choice in 1999. He was joining a two-time defending champion, and looked like he could step on the field that day and be the leader of the defense. In his press conference we learned that he had been a boxer as a teenager, and I’m not sure there was a person in that room who didn’t picture the poor victims he had likely pummeled and wondered how—or if—they had survived the beating.

--For pure entertainment value, nothing tops the choice of Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett in 2005. At the time there was hope his talent could be harnessed in “the right environment,” but this one was over almost before it began. Two memories: One was knowing we were about to select him with the final pick of day one (3rd round/101 overall), and strolling into the media room to watch the reaction from our assembled media. As a story they would love him—but maybe about four hours earlier. Not right before deadline with their stories already written and waiting for a nondescript name to add to the pile and call it a night. The collective groan and spewing forth of expletives said it all. The other memory came the next day when Clarett was asked to hold up his jersey at the podium for the overflow media crowd before his introductory press conference. Broncos VP of PR—and my former boss—Jim Saccomano instructed Maurice to “smile like you mean it.” He did smile, and was generally pleasant to deal with that day, but to say that was his best performance as a Bronco would not be a stretch.

--The 1998 selection of Michigan quarterback Brian Griese gave us our first glimpse of how self-assured he was, having grown up the son of a Hall of Fame quarterback. For starters, he did not arrive in Denver the day after his selection with fellow first-day choices Marcus Nash and Eric Brown, I think for no other reason than he just wasn’t in that much of a hurry. He came in on Monday, and I remember after he was finished with his press conference and the rest of the dog-and-pony show, I went searching for him to put him on the phone for one more interview. I found him in the office of offensive coordinator/QBs coach Gary Kubiak—no doubt having probably memorized a good portion of the offensive playbook by that time—sitting at Gary’s desk. To say he looked comfortable would be a colossal understatement. Heck, he looked more relaxed sitting in Kubes’ chair than…well, Kubes himself ever did. To this day I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a player and person, and I recall thinking at the time that he is a not guy who is in awe of any part of this experience. It’s tremendous to see him entering his 12th NFL season and to see what he has done with his life’s mission to help children with the establishment of Judi’s House in Denver.

--Finally, in 2000, after we had begun to notice the run of alliteration we had going with consecutive selections of Kenoy Kennedy, Chris Cole, Jerry Johnson, Cooper Carlisle and Muneer Moore, the streak was broken with the choice of Utah running back Mike Anderson. As an attempt at humor, then-GM Neal Dahlen offered to the media, with a smile, that Mike’s real first name was Andy. To which one of the beat writers responded incredulously, “Really?” Again, the draft can be a mind-numbing experience.

If only it had been true, because the next selection was Jarious Jackson.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net