UM, FSU FOOTBALL LEGENDS TRASH TALK FOR CHARITY

MIAMI, Fla - August 29, 2009 - Six legendary football players are stepping up to raise donations and awareness for charities around Florida through the ‘Rivals Challenge: Trash Talk for Charity' with the Make a Play Foundation with bragging rights on the line this week for the annual clash between Florida State and Miami. Warrick Dunn (FSU), Kevin Everett (UM), Willis McGahee (UM), Ed Reed (UM), Myron Rolle (FSU) and Samari Rolle (FSU) are competing during the next 10 days in a campaign sponsored by the foundation, an organization that works with former football players of Florida, Florida State and Miami. One player and one fan will make up the winning team and crowned champions at the end of the challenge.

Through the challenge, players and fans will combine forces to create greatly needed resources and opportunities for select charities. To participate, fans choose one of their university's favorite players to support and a rival player to ‘talk trash' to. With each dollar donated, fans can add one point to their favorite players' total and deduct one point from a rival players' total. The player who has the most points at the end of the week will be crowned the champion, winning the battle between charities. 

The players from each school will be drafting one fan to be part of each team, selected from videos submitted online during the week. Fans are encouraged to submit a short clip, showing off their best touchdown dance. Videos, one minute or shorter, can be submitted through Friday, September 4th at Noon on the foundation's website: www.makeaplayfoundation.org. On the eve of gameday, two video finalists will be announced. Following the game, the finalist representing the winning team will be declared the fan champion of the challenge.

Each player has adopted a cause and will be donating their proceeds from the challenge to a related charity. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Make a Play Foundation's academic and recreational youth programs.

Tallahassee will be defending their title after winning the ‘Rivals Challenge: Thanksgiving Food Fight' last November against Gainesville. During the week of the Florida-Florida State game, UF and FSU students and fans collected nearly 22 tons of food for Gainesville and Tallahassee food banks through a strong campus effort and with the support of 23 participating Publix stores. FSU dominated the week, collecting 15 tons of food.

The ‘Rivals Challenge: Trash Talk for Charity' will begin on Saturday, August 29th and run through Monday, September 7th at midnight. Fans can donate online through the Make a Play Foundation's official Web site at: www.makeaplayfoundation.org or by calling 352-514-2681.

‘TEAM' shirts for each player will be on sale this week for $25 with proceeds benefiting each player's total. They can be purchased online at Make a Play Foundation's official Web site at: www.makeaplayfoundation.org.

The donation totals and winning player will be announced Tuesday, September 8th.  

ABOUT THE MAKE A PLAY FOUNDATION:
The Make a Play Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that represents a unique partnership of former players of three of college football's legendary rivals - Florida, Florida State and Miami- and partners with established community organizations and individual player foundations to create opportunities for underprivileged children through academic and recreational grants, designed to promote confidence and leadership. The organization's goal is to use a collective voice to help promote growth and change for children and families in former players' hometowns.

PLAYER PROFILES

WARRICK DUNN PROFILE
Foundation Participating For: Warrick Dunn Foundation
Donations will benefit his foundation's "Home for the Holidays" program which provides down payment assistance and complete home furnishings to single-parent families in Tampa, Tallahassee, Atlanta and Baton Rouge
Warrick's Official Foundation Website: www.warrickdunnfoundation.org

In 1995 and 1996, FSU's Dunn combined for 347 rushing yards, leading the ‘Noles to back-to-back wins over Miami. He was part of three victories over the Hurricanes during his four seasons in the garnet and gold and still holds the school's career rushing record. Seminole fans can choose to support Dunn through the Warrick Dunn Foundation. One of Dunn's most cherished undertakings is "Homes for the Holidays," a program established and operated by the Warrick Dunn Foundation to honor his mother's dream of owning her own home. The program focuses on providing down payment assistance and complete home furnishing to single-parent families. Since 1997, the "Homes for the Holidays" program has assisted 86 parents and 233 children and dependents in achieving the American dream of home ownership in Tallahassee, Tampa, Baton Rouge and Atlanta. In 2008, Dunn was selected The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP, a competition that recognizes NFL players for their positive impact in their local communities.

KEVIN EVERETT PROFILE
Foundation Participating For: The Kevin Everett Fund
Donations will provide financial assistance to those who have been affected by spinal cord injuries and traumas through his foundation

Kevin's Official Foundation Website: www.thekevineverettfoundation.org

During Everett's two seasons at UM he was a part of three victories over the Seminoles. As a junior in 2003, the Canes defeated FSU 22-14 during the regular season and 16-14 in the Orange Bowl re-match. As a senior he had three catches for 42 yards in the 16-10 thriller, a UM overtime win. Everett was Miami's second leading receiver in 2004 and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2005. In the first week of the 2007 season, Everett had a helmet-to-helmet collision on the second half kickoff return. Because of the injury to his spinal cord caused by dislocation of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae, doctors predicted a less than 10% chance for a full neurologic recovery and said he may never walk again.Just two days later, Everett had regained voluntary movement in his arms and legs. One month later, Everett took his first steps that December and was able to walk for the first time. Today he walks unaided and is slowly regaining the use of his hands and fingers. The foundation raises funds to bring about education and awareness of spinal cord injuries and provide financial assistance to those who have been affected by these traumas.

WILLIS MCGAHEE PROFILE
Foundation Participating For: The Willis McGahee Foundation
Donations will benefit the Gwen Cherry Park Foundation Fund, benefiting the NFL's YET Center in Miami, as well as to benefit toy and food drives for youth through his foundation's upcoming events
Willis' Official Foundation Website: www.willismcgahee.com

McGahee's stretch playing for the Hurricanes includes two iconic wins over FSU, Wide Right III and Wide Left I. In the 2002 classic, he caught a screen pass from quarterback Ken Dorsey and screeched down the sideline for a 68-yard run late in the fourth quarter, setting up the game winning score. He finished the day with 173 all-purpose yards, as the ‘Canes held on to a 28-27 win and extended the nation's longest win streak to 28 games. As a redshirt freshman he scored an 8-yard touchdown in the 49-27 win in Tallahassee as Miami snapped FSU's 54-game unbeaten streak. During his redshirt season he witnessed a 27-24 UM win in 2000 over #1 FSU, also known as Wide Right III. McGahee shattered UM season rushing records during the 2002 season, establishing new season highs in virtually every category.

The Willis McGahee Foundation was established to help underprivileged children in the Baltimore and Miami areas by providing them with the tools, resources and encouragement they need to become self sufficient young people with a sense of high self-worth.  The Willis McGahee Foundation provides toys at the holidays, Thanksgiving meals, schools supplies, books and educational materials and dental supplies to children in need and their families.  In early 2009, The Willis McGahee Foundation was honored by the Howard County Government for the support of county children and received the Celebrating Successes for Children Award.   In October 2009, Willis will be named the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year and will receive the John W. Holland Humanitarian Award in recognition of his Foundation's charitable work.

MYRON ROLLE PROFILE
Foundation Participating For: Myron L. Rolle Foundation
Donations will benefit scholarship, leadership and health programs through his foundation
Myron's Official Foundation Website: www.myronrolle.com

In 2008, FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews characterized Rolle's performance versus Miami as "the best and most complete game" that he had ever seen a safety play during his 25 years of coaching. Rolle is well-known for his off-the-field resume which includes postponing the NFL for a season to attend Oxford University in 2009 as a Rhodes Scholar. He recently held a leadership and wellness academy with the Florida Department of Children and Families, a week-long summer camp for 100 foster children. He also unveiled construction plans for a free health clinic and state-of-the-art wellness and training facility in the Bahamas that he plans to begin construction on within the next few years.

The Myron L. Rolle Foundationis a tax-exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to the support of health, wellness, educational and other charitable initiatives throughout the world that benefit children and families in need. The Foundation was established in 2009 and supports the FSU College of Medicine Scholarship Programs, funds the "Our Way to Health" Program, The Myron Rolle Wellness and Leadership Academy, Myron's Health Clinic in the Bahamas (Exuma) and provides academic scholarships for top student-athletes from his hometown and from the Bahamas.

SAMARI ROLLE PROFILE
Foundation Participating For: Rolle with Me Foundation
Donations will provide school supplies through book back giveaway, as well as help raise donations for his upcoming holiday party for underprivileged youth
Samari's Official Foundation Website: www.samarirolle.com

In 1997, Samari Rolle picked off two passes in a 47-0 thumping of the Hurricanes, handing UM the worst defeat in 43 years. During his final three seasons at FSU, Rolle was a part of a defense that held UM to 33 points, outscoring them 122-33 in three straight wins. Entering his 12th NFL season, Rolle has started 12 postseason contests, including Super Bowl XXXIV. After being diagnosed with epilepsy in 2007, and along with his Rolle with Me Foundation, Samari has partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation to bring awareness to the disorder. He was selected as the Ravens' 2007 Ed Block Courage Award winner by his teammates and named a finalist for The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP in 2008. The Rolle With Me Foundation annually organizes free youth football camps, Thanksgiving food drives for families in need, holiday parties for Baltimore youth, a summer reading program and has provided equipment for youth athletic leagues and donated book bags and school supplies to underprivileged children.

ED REED PROFILE
Foundation Participating For: Eye of the Hurricane Foundation
Donations will provide school supplies, holiday meals and gifts for future drives and help Reed's health and fitness youth  initiatives through his foundation
Ed's Official Foundation Website: www.eyeofthehurricanefoundation.org
 
In the 2001 match-up, Reed's performance was a highlight to a season and a team that some consider as one of the best in college football history. Playing with a separated shoulder, he helped lead UM to a 49-27 win with four pass break-ups, two interceptions and a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown. The win ended FSU's 37-game home win streak, as well as ending their shot at their fourth National Championship game. His participation in the challenge will benefit (charity) of Miami, a charity dedicated to (cause). Reed's foundation has done a majority of its projects in Baltimore and his hometown of Destrehan, Louisiana and has provided school supplies, college scholarships, athletic equipment and holiday gifts for children in both areas. He has also organized a Children's Fitness Day and Thanksgiving Turkey Drives.

PLAYER QUOTES

QUOTES FROM FSU's WARRICK DUNN:
On why he started his own foundation... "The Homes for the Holidays program allows me to fulfill my mother's dream of home ownership. By providing other single-parents assistance for home ownership, I am able to positively impact the community and continue her legacy."

How the UM-FSU game compares to different games on the schedule... "The match-up between the Seminoles and the Hurricanes is always a heated rivalry. It's not only an important conference game, bragging rights for dominance in the state of Florida are also up for grabs."

What's your favorite memory of the UM-FSU game... "We beat Miami 3 times while I was wearing 28 for the Noles, so it is hard to pick a favorite memory. My last game against Miami, during my senior year, I had an 80-yard run. It was the longest in my college career."

QUOTES FROM UM's KEVIN EVERETT:

On why he started his own foundation... "Often times you don't think of some things until they happen to you.  As a football player, you are trained to not think about injury, because as soon as you do, you are more likely to play gingerly and that could cause you to get injured.  Once I was injured, I knew that I was blessed to be living and able to walk again.  I knew that God didn't spare me just to take care of me, but to be a living testimony to how awesome he is.  I felt the best way to do that was through the Foundations that I started." 

How the UM-FSU game compares to different games on the schedule... "Honestly, that game was circled during training camp.  We prepared for all of our games, but we came into the season really geeked up about that game.  It was for bragging rights, and even when we were not in the same conference, we definitely didn't want to lose to FSU.  I am PROUD to say that we never lost to FSU during my career."

What's your favorite memory of the UM-FSU game... "The whole rivalry was great.  I would say my most vivid memory was when we played at FSU.  It was rainy, muddy, the stadium was the loudest that I have ever played in, during college and the pros.  The FSU fans are by far the craziest fans we encountered in college.  BY FAR. They get amped up. The game was a little sloppy because of the conditions, but we won."

On the level of play in this game... "There was a definite difference. The ACC is loaded with talent, but we didn't face another team usually with as many NFL Prospects as FSU.  They had Antonio Cromartie, Alex Barron, Buster Davis, Leon Washington, Chris Rix and the list goes on and on.  They always had talent at every position.  That is what made the games so good.  You knew that you had to bring it every play, because each team had people who could change the game with one play."

QUOTES FROM FSU's MYRON ROLLE:

On why he started his own foundation... "My agent Leigh Steinberg approached me with the idea of mobilizing some of my altruistic passions in the form of a Foundation. He has had experience creating Foundations for his clients and allowing them to see their ability beyond the sports field." 

How the UM-FSU game compares to different games on the schedule... "As a player the whole week is filled with excitement. The equipment managers play the rap song "We Ballin Boys" that features former UM players such as Willis McGahee and Ed Reed. The whole school is buzzing about the game and every interview question by reporters references the rivalry. It goes without saying it's an intense match up." 

What's your favorite memory of the UM-FSU game... "The week leading up to the 2008 Miami game I had suffered dehydration problems. I didn't leave the hospital until an hour before the team flight left for South Florida. Fortunately, I made the flight. I was saturated with water and weighed 233 lbs which is 20 lbs heavier than I usually weigh. I was nervous about how I was going to perform but it turned out to be the best game of my college career. We ended up winning the game and it goes down as one of my best memories of the UM-FSU match up." 

On the level of play in this game... "Obviously the speed of the Miami players exceeds any players that we played all year with the exception of probably the University of Florida. I remember my father telling me that he heard an NFL scout remark that a Florida State and Miami game is as close to NFL game speed as you'll see in college. There's something to be said for that."