In Chicago, Fran Spielman notes current NFLers and prospects prior to Thursday's Draft joined Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Commissioner Roger Goodell at Ariel Community Academy "to help launch a new digital learning program sponsored by the NFL and the United Way." The "Character Playbook" is "tailor-made to teach tech-savvy students who rely heavily on social media how to get along with each other and maintain healthy inter-personal relationships." Developed by EverFi, it is "specifically designed to help students through the sometimes difficult middle school years" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/29).
JOINING FORCES: In Las Vegas, Robin Leach noted the "thrills of PBR will be part" of Helldorado Days, a three-day festival on the Strip being held May 13-15. PBR’s Last Cowboy Standing, the last stop in the first half of the '16 PBR Built Ford Tough Series, "joins Helldorado for two days May 13-14." It will "feature the Top 40 bull riders in the world facing off against the fiercest bulls in round after round of action." Each bull rider "will be competing for the $100,000 first-place prize and bonus PBR world standings points offered at each PBR major" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 4/28).
MATCH PLAY: Golfers Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Smylie Kaufman vacationed together in the Bahamas last week, documenting most of the trip on Snapchat. The posts went viral in the golf industry, and Fox analyst Paul Azinger said, "I'm not sure that other players have not done that in the past, they just never documented it, and these guys documented it. A big part of it is brand building for them. I thought it was really cool that they let us into their vacation like that" ("The Golf Digest Podcast," GOLFDIGEST.com, 4/27).
