Jaguars punter Bryan Barker, an II -year NFL veteran, is the October recipient of the Jacksonville Jaguars-Robert W. Baird & Co. Community Leader Award, presented monthly during the NFL season to the Jaguars' player that demonstrates exemplary community involvement.
In partnership with Robert W. Baird & Company, Inc., a $500 donation will be made to the LET US
PLAY! Foundation,-,the non-profit organization Barker established with his wife, Leah, in 1996. Four players will be named during the 2000 season, culminating in December with a year-end luncheon at ALLTEL Stadium and an additional $3,000 charity donation for the player selected as the 2000 Community Leader of the Year. Cornerback Fernando Bryant was September's honoree.
One of the team's most active players in the community, Barker's foundation annually sponsors the
LET US PLAY! Sports Camp for Girls, designed to motivate inner-city girls to recognize the lifelong benefits connected with sports and education. The Barkers have been instrumental in organizing LET US PLAY! camps in other NFL cities that now include Dallas, Denver, Charlotte, Pittsburgh and Oakland. In 1999 they created a new program, the Junior 2K, a running event just for kids. The run helps raise funds to establish a permanent scholarship endowment at the University of North Florida. A four-year scholarship will be awarded each year to a LET US PLAY! Camp graduate. This year's Junior 2K is scheduled for November 18 at ALL- TEL Stadium and the surrounding sports complex. Barker also visits local elementary schools and supports numerous other local fundraisers.
"During our I I -years in the NFL, my wife and I have enjoyed being involved in each of the cornmuni- ties we've lived in," said Barker. "Jacksonville has a special place in our hearts because I was bom here and the city has really embraced the efforts of our LET US PLAY! Foundation."
Barker will be presented with a commemorative plaque later this month. The 2000 Community Leader of the Year will also be presented with a special plaque with a duplicate made to be displayed in the Jaguars' offices at ALLTEL Stadium.
For more information, please contact the Community Affairs Department at (904) 633-6582.
Jacksonville Jaguars o One ALLTEL Stadium Place * Jacksonville, Florida 32202
