The Jaguars Foundation released a new set of Straight Talk™ Talk "the Talk" – Walk "the Talk"public service announcements (PSAs) for teens and families to encourage parents and teens to talk about making responsible decisions and avoiding risky behavior that could lead to teen pregnancy, AIDS/HIV and other sexually transmitted infections or other life-changing consequences. The Straight Talk initiative is a partnership of the Jaguars Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, the Weaver Family Foundation and Jacksonville media.
The PSAs feature Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee, defensive end Aaron Kampman, center Brad Meester, guard Will Rackley, cornerback Derek Cox, running back Rashad Jennings, tight end Zach Miller and linebacker Russell Allen, along with Erin, Kayla, Samantha and TaJonda from The ROAR of the Jaguars Cheerleaders, team mascot JAXSON de Ville, PGA TOUR golf professional Len Mattiace and Jaguars owner and Foundation Chair/CEO Delores Barr Weaver.
CW 17 produced the spots which were filmed at EverBank Field. The media campaign focuses on three messages: 1) to promote communication between parents and teens; 2) provide factual information in a non-judgmental manner and 3) encourage responsible behavior among teens, not only regarding sex, but other risky behavior such as drinking alcohol, smoking and using illegal drugs. The PSAs will air on WCWJ (CW) 17, WAWS (FOX) 30, WTEV (CBS) 47, WTLV (NBC) 12, WJXX (ABC) 25, WJCT (PBS) 7, WJXT 4, Comcast Cable and Comcast On-Demand, jacksonville.com of The Florida Times-Union, on Jaguars radio and in the stadium during Jaguars home games.* *
Jaguars Center Brad Meester's PSA to parents and teens was featured in the stadium on the December 5th Monday Night Game. *His PSA along with the others can be viewed on the Straight Talk website at *http://straighttalk.jacksonville.com/.
The campaign is part of an initiative of the TV stations' General Managers begun in 2010 to take the Straight Talk message beyond the Foundation's annual television show for a continuous message year-round to middle and high school youth and their parents. Mrs. Weaver noted, "The Jacksonville media are tremendous partners in their commitment to help prevent teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections. I believe this campaign will help open the lines of communication between parents and teens when it comes to the topic of sex and other risky behaviors." Mrs. Weaver added, "I am also proud of the leadership demonstrated by our Jaguars players and The ROAR cheerleaders."
A recent survey with teens done by the Northeast Florida Teen Pregnancy Task Force indicated overwhelmingly that teens want correct straightforward information about sex and its consequences; and that they want to talk with their parents about these issues but it is often difficult to broach the subject. Task Force co-chair Joy Burgess said, "Teens face tremendous peer pressure to engage in sexual activity which results in life-long consequences. The work of the Jaguars Foundation and the media partners is critically important to get the message out to teens on how to rise above these pressures and reach adulthood, when they will be better equipped for the responsibility of having and raising children."
The Jaguars Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars, serving socially and economically disadvantaged youth in the greater Jacksonville area. The Straight Talk™ partnership with local media was established in 1995. Co-sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and the Weaver Family Foundation. The "Straight Talk –Teens & Sex…The Real Truth" television program has aired annually on all Jacksonville network affiliates and local TV stations since 2000.
