Members of the Jets and Giants, at Event on June 4, to Challenge Teen Boys to Commit to Ending Relationship Abuse and Speaking Out Against Domestic Violence

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May 31, 2011, 04:41 ET

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Current and former NFL players will join the NFL Players Association and the Verizon Foundation on Saturday (June 4) to launch "Training Camps for Life." At the event, the athletes and other leaders will address topics such as healthy teen relationships and overcoming adversity. More than 600 New Jersey teens are expected to attend the event at Rutgers University. The players will challenge attendees to take the LIVERESPECT pledge, a commitment to end teen relationship abuse and speak out against domestic violence.

WHO:	Chris Canty, defensive tackle (New York Giants)
	D'Brickashaw Ferguson, offensive tackle, (New York Jets)
	Jeremy Zuttah, offensive lineman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
	William "Tra" Thomas, former NFL player (Philadelphia Eagles)
	Richie Armstrong, former NCAA basketball standout

WHAT:	Training Camp for Life

WHEN:	9: a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4
	Media is asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. (a detailed agenda is available upon request). To request broadcast quality b-roll: [email protected] or 212.812.7084.

WHERE:	Nicholas Music Center – Douglass Campus, Rutgers University
	85 George St., New Brunswick

BACKGROUND:	Raising awareness of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention is a key mission of the Verizon Foundation. The Training Camp for Life event at Rutgers is one of 12 scheduled such events to be held across the country this year. All are funded through a substantial grant from the Verizon Foundation to A CALL TO MEN. One in three teens experiences relationship abuse and nearly half – 47 percent – report having done something that compromised their values to appease their partner.