As Super Bowl XLVI returns to a cold weather city in Indianapolis, the seventh annual NFL Charities Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic, one of the premier annual fan/player fundraisers, will be hotter and “taller” than ever in 2012.
Former Super Bowl XII Champion and legend Ed "Too Tall" Jones will serve as host of the event which will take place at Woodland Bowling Center in Indianapolis, IN at 12 PM local time on Saturday, February 4. Fans will have the unique opportunity to bowl with more than 40 current and former NFL stars and hall of famers, with all proceeds benefiting NFL Charities.
NFL Charities is a non-profit organization created by the 32 member clubs of the National Football League to enable the teams to collectively make grants to charitable and worthwhile causes on a national scale. Since its inception, NFL Charities has granted more than $120 million to more than 642 different organizations.
“I feel privileged to return as event host of the NFL Charities Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic,” said Jones. “The Classic has become a Super Bowl tradition, which is a testament to the enduring popularity and tremendous fundraising power of bowling, one of the nation’s great pastimes.”
Prior to the Classic, the NFL greats will team with professional bowlers to lead a private bowling clinic for local at-risk Indianapolis area elementary school children on February 1 at 11 AM local time at Woodland Bowling Center.
“There is no bigger stage in professional sports than the Super Bowl and we are proud to again join forces with NFL Charities to host what will be a tremendous event and also do our part to give back,” said Frank DeSocio of Strike Ten Entertainment. “We’re also very pleased to welcome back Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones as our host – one of the NFL’s great legends who also happens to be a towering presence on the lanes.”
Legendary NFL stars and Pro Football Hall of Fame members confirmed to participate in the Classic include (subject to change): Lem Barney, Rodney Hampton, Parnell Dickinson, Keith Byars, Jim Taylor, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Lamonte Hunley, Ricky Hunley, Hank Bauer, Lance Smith, Carl Eller, Sean Landeta, Bart Oates, Rickey Jackson, Chuck Foreman, Tom Nowatzke, Jerry Kramer, Randall McDaniel, Garo Yepremian, Roger Wehrli, Curtis McGriff, Willie Buchanon, Brian Kelley, Fred Williamson, Brig Owens, Charles Haley, Joey Browner, Kent Kramer, Pete Shaw, Mark Clayton, Sandra Taylor, Erich Barnes, Charlie Sanders, Jan Stenerud, Michael Merriweather and Leroy Kelly.
“The NFL Charities Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic continues to grow every year and we’re anticipating ‘heightened’ success in 2012. We couldn’t be more enthusiastic to welcome back Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones and to continue our partnership with the bowling industry, the nation’s #1 participatory sport and a game that is enjoyed every year by more than 70 million people,” said NFL Charities Tournament Director Nick Nicolosi. “The Classic offers NFL and bowling fans the chance to meet their favorite players over a few frames of bowling in a fun and casual setting.”
The NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic is open to bowlers and their guests. Entry fees are a donation to NFL Charities of $400 per individual and $1,400 per bowling foursome. All proceeds will benefit NFL Charities. Each bowler will receive a commemorative Super Bowl XLVI bowling ball and pin, along with a gift bag of official Super Bowl merchandise from event sponsors. A silent auction hosted by NFL Auction will take place and offer NFL memorabilia and autographed keepsakes. Guests of bowlers may attend the event at a fee of $100 per person. Interested parties should contact Tournament Director Nick Nicolosi at 201-489-0049 or n.nicolosi@verizon.net.
