Chandler High School in Arizona Leads All High Schools with Three Players Selected in 2013 NFL Draft; 236 Schools Represented

With rookie minicamps now complete, the 2013 NFL Draft class has experienced its first taste of NFL life.

And while the drafted rookies enter the NFL from a variety of different backgrounds, one thing they generally all have in common is an outstanding experience playing high school football.

The 2013 drafted rookies range from Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii to Karksi-Nuia High School in Karksi-Nuia, Estonia. A total of 236 high schools contributed to the 254 players selected in the seven rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft on April 25-27, USA Football announced today. Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona led all high schools with three players selected.

“There’s a lot of great athletes that come out of the program,” said Miami Dolphins first-round selection DION JORDAN, a Chandler grad. “They train us well to get us ready for college, make sure we take care of business in school, first of all, so we can have that opportunity. Because of the community and the coaching, a tremendous amount of athletes come from our area.”

Seventeen schools had at least two players selected, with four of those schools producing a first-round choice – Chandler in Chandler, Arizona (defensive end Dion Jordan by Miami); Dutchtown in Geismar, Louisiana (safety ERIC REID by San Francisco); Miami Norland in Miami, Florida (cornerback XAVIER RHODES by Minnesota); and Newnan in Newnan, Georgia (linebacker ALEC OGLETREE by St. Louis).

For the complete release, click here

NFL Preseason Dates & Times Announced

The dates and kickoff times of the 65-game NFL preseason schedule were announced today, beginning with the annual NFL/Hall of Fame Game between the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys in Canton, Ohio on Sunday night, August 4.

Televised live at 8:00 PM ET by NBC, the NFL/Hall of Fame Game is the first of 11 national preseason telecasts carried by NFL broadcast partners CBS, ESPN, FOX and NBC that will feature the entire 2012 playoff field.

NFL Network will also provide extensive coverage of the NFL preseason, including live game broadcasts in all four weeks of the preseason.  NFL Network’s preseason broadcast schedule will be announced in July.

For the complete release, click here

NFL Offseason Workout Program Dates Announced

Click here for the full NFL Offseason Workout Program calendar for 2013, including rookie minicamp dates. Voluntary offseason workout programs are intended to provide training, teaching and physical conditioning for players.

Commissioner Goodell visits “Live with Kelly and Michael” — Transcript

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared this morning on “Live with Kelly and Michael.”

The Commissioner engaged in a lively conversation with the dynamic duo of Kelly Ripa and former New York Giants’ legend Michael Strahan about the new Heads Up Football program, the Super Bowl and the Draft.

Goodell presented them with personalized #1 New York Giants jerseys. Ripa and Strahan even moved into to get their Draft Day hugs from Goodell.

Following is a transcript of the Commissioner’s appearance:
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2013 NFL Draft – All in the Family

Every year, many players join the National Football League from families rich in athletic tradition. Here is a sampling of draft prospects who had family members compete at either the collegiate or professional level in the world of sports.

 For the complete release, click here.

2013 NFL Schedule Announced

The NFL announced today its 17-week, 256-game regular-season schedule for 2013, which kicks off on Thursday night, September 5 and concludes on Sunday, December 29 with 16 division games.

The season begins with the NFL’s annual primetime kickoff game. The opener on September 5 on NBC (8:30 PM ET) will feature the defending-champion Baltimore Ravens visiting the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in a rematch of last year’s double-overtime AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

NBC’s Sunday Night Football will get underway on September 8 when the Dallas Cowboys host the division-rival New York Giants (8:30 PM ET).

Kickoff Weekend concludes on Monday, September 9 with a doubleheader on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The Washington Redskins will host the Philadelphia Eagles (7:10 PM ET) in the first game followed by the Houston Texans visiting the San Diego Chargers (10:20 PM ET). 

For the complete 2013 NFL regular-season schedule, click here.

Four Coaches Named to Coaches Subcommittee of Competition Committee

NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL has named four head coaches – LESLIE FRAZIER of Minnesota, JOE PHILBIN of Miami, RON RIVERA of Carolina and MIKE SMITH of Atlanta – to the Coaches Subcommittee of the NFL Competition Committee, the NFL announced today.

The subcommittee, chaired by Pro Football Hall of Fame coach JOHN MADDEN, reports to the full Competition Committee prior to the annual NFL meeting every March and meets on a regular basis via conference call to discuss player safety, competitive issues, coaching and personnel development and technological innovations.

The Coaches Subcommittee of the Competition Committee consists of the following members:

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN, who served on the subcommittee since 2009, was recently named to the Competition Committee.

The Competition Committee, which studies all aspects of the game and recommends rules and policy changes to NFL clubs, consists of the following members:

23 Players to Attend 2013 NFL Draft

Twenty-three top prospects are confirmed to attend the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the NFL announced today. 

That includes a 2013-best four players from BCS National Champion Alabama: T D.J. Fluker, RB Eddie Lacy, CB Dee Milliner, and G Chance Warmack – and four players from Florida State – QB E.J. Manuel, DE Bjoern Werner, T Menelik Watson, and CB Xavier Rhodes. 

The players confirmed to attend this year’s NFL Draft: 

For the complete release, click here.

Officiating Video for Media

The following is an officiating video to assist in your coverage of the NFL.

It can be accessed by clicking on the link below or visiting www.nflmedia.com.

http://media01.nfl.info/NFL/Media/2013/Video1/2013_Media_Video_1.wmv

The video is narrated by NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino and reviews the recently-approved 2013 rule changes.

The video is intended for your use for informational purposes only.  It may not be posted on your website, but if you are interested in tweeting the link to the video from www.nflcommunications.com, feel free to do so.

We hope you find this information helpful.  Please contact us with any questions.

Free Agency Signing Period Begins; 524 Players Become Free Agents

The National Football League today announced that 524 players are free agents who now can negotiate with all 32 clubs.

Players are either “restricted” or “unrestricted” free agents.  Within the categories are also “franchise” and “transition” players.

For the complete release, click here