Michael McAdoo launches a pass during the PP&K team championship at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
Recently, Michael McAdoo from Antioch, Calif., was crowned champion of the boys 12/13 year old division of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick (PP&K) competition. Forty young football players participated in the PP&K Finals at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta before the divisional playoff game. McAdoo represented the Raiders at the finals after advancing through the team championship, held at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
For each round of competition, all participants launched a kick and a punt and threw a pass. According to the NFL PP&K website, scores are based on distance and accuracy. McAdoo's attempts were the best in his division making him the national champion.
McAdoo started participating in PP&K in 6th grade. "I didn't know about it," said McAdoo. "One of the teachers said, 'Are you ready for the punt, pass, and kick?' I had no clue what it was and I asked. He's like, 'you have to throw the ball the farthest, kick it the farthest, and punt the farthest.' So I did. In 6th grade I came in first place at my school, moved on to sectionals, but I didn't do well. So then 7th grade year I did it again and didn't do well at school. Then 8th grade, which is now, I did it."
The 2010 national champions were recognized in the end zone during the third quarter of the Atlanta Falcons playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. McAdoo's name was called along with the nine other champions from five divisions. "That was a little nerve-wracking because you have to stand up and wave and smile," said McAdoo. "That was probably the one point I was a little nervous, but when I got back in line I was fine."
McAdoo has been enjoying the aftermath of earning the title of PP&K National Champion. "It's really great," said McAdoo. "It's a fun time because everyone is coming up to me and asking all these questions and it's really fun."
Also representing the Raiders in the finals was Andrew Buckley from Concord, Calif. Buckley finished second in the 14/15 year old division.
The NFL PUNT, PASS & KICK (PPK) program is a national skills competition for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 15 to compete separately against their peers. Established in 1961, the PPK program is the oldest NFL Youth Football program. NFL stars including Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks TROY AIKMAN and DAN MARINO competed in the Punt, Pass and Kick program as youngsters.
