NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx, the official delivery service sponsor of the NFL, is launching the fifth annual FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week program today. The awards program recognizes outstanding quality of play among NFL quarterbacks and running backs on a weekly basis, and in 2008 delivers safe kids by funding injury prevention programs to benefit children throughout the football season.

As part of this year’s program, FedEx is extending its sponsorship with Safe Kids USA - a national non-profit organization that works to prevent accidental injury among children - to deliver safer kids by making weekly donations in the winning players’ names to local Safe Kids USA coalitions across the country. This season, FedEx will exceed the $1 million mark in charity donations to create safer communities for children through the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards program.

“FedEx cares about the communities where its employees and customers live and work,” said Karen Rogers, vice president, U.S. Marketing, FedEx. “Because we have thousands of delivery trucks out on the roads each day, we understand the need to deliver safer kids and focus on pedestrian safety, which is why everyone at FedEx is so committed to this initiative.”

Former New York Giants quarterback and current NFL broadcaster, Phil Simms, will again serve as the voice of the program.

“FedEx is known around the world as the ultimate air and ground business teammate, so it’s a natural fit for them to recognize the NFL’s best air and ground players,” said Simms. “This year, our efforts to recognize the NFL’s best players are linked directly to delivering safer kids, which is why I’m so excited to continue working with FedEx in addition to Safe Kids USA this season.”

How the Program Works

Each Tuesday during the season, the NFL will announce six nominees for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards program - three FedEx Air and three FedEx Ground nominees. Fans are then encouraged to log onto www.NFL.com/FedEx and vote for the FedEx Air and Ground players they think delivered the best performance the previous weekend. FedEx will announce the weekly Air and Ground winners on Friday afternoon, and subsequently make a $1,000 donation in the winning players’ names to their local Safe Kids coalition.

Program Kick-Off

FedEx will launch the Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards program in conjunction with the NFL season kickoff and the first day of the school year, during a special safety event in New York City on September 2, 2008. NFL greats Simms and former Washington Redskins running back John Riggins will join safety experts and FedEx employees to teach local grade-school students about pedestrian safety at a “Safety City” in Harlem.

FedEx will continue to spread the message of child injury prevention by hosting events throughout the season in different NFL markets with local air and ground superstars. These local programs will showcase various pedestrian safety initiatives that FedEx has been proud to support for nine years, such as the Safe Kids International Walk to School Day and its “Trucks for Treats” Halloween safety initiative.

Air & Ground Players of the Year Recognition

During the week leading up to Super Bowl XLIII, FedEx plans to announce the 2008 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year in Tampa Bay. FedEx will also make a special delivery to the Safe Kids Tampa coalition in addition to making a donation in the winning players’ names to Safe Kids USA.

Last year, New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre (formerly of the Green Bay Packers) and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor received the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year Awards.

You can learn more about the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week program, as well as how the company delivers safe kids, by visiting www.NFL.com/FedEx.

About FedEx

FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air & Ground Awards, FedEx recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their customers have come to expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $38 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.news.fedex.com.

About Safe Kids USA

Safe Kids USA works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. More than 630 grassroots coalitions bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. Safe Kids USA is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids USA was founded in 1987 by Children’s National Medical Center.

FedEx
Jennifer Caccavo, 901-434-7766
jennifer.caccavo@fedex.com
or
NFL
Joanna Hunter, 212-450-2449
joanna.hunter@nfl.com