2008 Rampage Youth Football Program presented by Wendy's Concludes

GRAND RAPIDS - In their effort to spread their passion for football to the next generation of young athletes, the Grand Rapids Rampage recently completed the 2008 Rampage Youth Football Program presented by Wendy's. Rampage players and members of the Rage Dance Team visited over 6,000 children across West Michigan, preaching the virtues of hard work, a healthy lifestyle and respect.

Rampage fullbacks Whitney Bell (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) and T.J. Watkins (North Augusta, S.C.), and linebackers Michael McFadden (Saginaw, Mich.) and Zach Ville (Miami, Fla.) visited 42 different youth football programs, including making stops in Allegan, Byron Center, Lowell, Grant, Grand Rapids, Newaygo, Rockford, Wayland and Zeeland. The players spoke to the children about their own experiences in professional football and what it took to succeed.

Several Rage Dance Team members also joined the program, meeting with cheerleaders in Big Rapids, Belding, Jenison and Saranac, and teaching the young dancers simple routines. As part of the Rampage Youth Football Program presented by Wendy's, the Rampage also hosted a coaching clinic for the Northern Rocket Football League, invested $4,500 in area youth football programs, and donated 200 youth-sized Spalding AFL footballs to the NRFL, the West Michigan Jr. Football League and the Grand Rapids Youth Athletic Organization.

For information on how your youth football program can be a part of the 2009 Rampage Youth Football Program presented by Wendy's, contact Ruth Lobbestael at (616) 559-1871, ext. 3047, or via e-mail at rlobbestael@rampagefootball.com.