HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – June 23, 2009 – For the fourteenth consecutive year, the brightest football talent from New York City and Long Island will be the centerpiece of a football extravaganza that will raise money and awareness to fight cystic fibrosis and support youth football in the New York metropolitan area.

Boomer Esiason, former NFL quarterback and analyst for both CBS Sports “ The NFL Today “ and ” Monday Night Football “ on the Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports network, host of “The Boomer Esiason Show” on the MSG Network, as well as co-host on WFAN’s morning radio show, “ Boomer and Carton in the Morning ”, announced today the details of the fourteenth annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge all-star football game which will be held on June 23 at the James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University. 

The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge was created by Esiason in 1996 as a benefit for the Boomer Esiason Foundation, the Gunnar H. Esiason Endowment Scholarship Fund at Hofstra University, as well as local youth football programs, the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge has grown to become the crowning goal of high school football players throughout the New York metropolitan area. 

Kickoff for the fourteenth anniversary event is set for 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6:30 p.m.  A series of pre-game are also planned.  Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the James M. Shuart Stadium ticket booth on game day.  Ticket sales begin at 5:30 p.m.

In addition, a number of local and international companies have teamed up with the Boomer Esiason Foundation to underwrite the cost of the football game and other day-long activities for the entire family.  Outback Steakhouse, Canon U.S.A., Inc., USA Football, the New York Jets and many others will help the Foundation raise a significant amount of money at the June 23 event.   “The Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge is an excellent example of how the entire community can be brought together, cheer on their favorite players and raise money for very worthy local and national charities,” said Jenn Szewc, joint venture partner for Outback Steakhouse.  “Our involvement with the community and the Empire Challenge is a core piece of Outback Steakhouse principles and beliefs as an organization.”

In a recent interview, Mr. Esiason expressed his gratitude for those companies who have taken an active role in supporting their local communities.

“The support these companies have provided to the Boomer Esiason Foundation is a great example of how corporate America can make an impact in bettering the communities where employees work and live,” said Esiason.  “Their support for the Foundation will be used to improve the lives of all those afflicted with cystic fibrosis.  As both a local resident and a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis, I’m thankful for companies like Canon U.S.A., the New York Jets, USA Football and Outback Steakhouse who believe that giving back to the community is critical to their role as corporate citizens.”  With the support of these and other corporate sponsor relationships, the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised over $70 million to date.

One of these corporations is located not far from Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium.  

 “Canon’s corporate philosophy of Kyosei – ‘all people, regardless of race, religion, or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future’ – reaches across a number of youth and social programs and causes that the Company supports here in the New York and Long Island communities, including the Boomer Esiason Foundation,” said Jack Suzuki, Senior Director and General Manager, Corporate Communications, Canon U.S.A.  “Canon U.S.A. is proud to be part of this special event and our 14 year partnership with Boomer and his foundation.”