Partnership Timeline

1973:
NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and United Way of America establish the NFL & United Way Partnership to increase public awareness of social service issues facing the country.

1974:
The NFL and United Way launch the largest public-service advertising campaign in the nation's history.  In year one, the “Great Moments” series received a gold medal from the International Film & TV Festival of New York.

1983:
Pete and Carrie Rozelle are chosen as the first couple ever to receive the Alexis de Tocqueville Award, the highest honor given by United Way.

1991:
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue joins United Way of America’s Board of Governors. He serves from 1991 to 2002. He chairs the board from 1998-1999.

1997:
Dallas Cowboy Hall of Famer Roger Staubach joins United Way of America’s Board of Governors. He serves from 1997 to 2000.

1998:
United Ways and the NFL celebrate the 25th anniversary of the longest-running sports/charity public service announcement campaign of its kind. In honor of the 25th anniversary, the NFL and United Way deliver their first annual Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show with the Detroit Lions.

1999:
The NFL and United Way launch a national day of community service called Hometown Huddle. On a single Tuesday, all 32 NFL teams work with their local United Way on a variety of hands-on volunteer projects for the community.

2003:
The NFL and United Way celebrate 30 years in partnership.

NFL executive Joe Browne joins United Way of America’s Board of Trustees.

2004:
The NFL donates $1 million to the United Way Disaster Relief Fund to assist victims of unprecedented hurricane activity in Florida.

2005:
The NFL and United Way launch the Lend a Hand campaign to inspire Americans to volunteer. For the first time, the ads drive viewers to unitedway.org to get involved in the community.

2006:
NFL Charities awards $1.5 million to United Way of America to support local United Way’s long-term recovery work in areas ravaged by hurricanes and tsunami.

2007:
United Way partners with NFL to launch a new youth fitness initiative, NFL Play 60, designed to encourage youth to get at least 60 minutes of play in their day. Twenty-two NFL and United Way Hometown Huddle events focus on youth fitness.

2008:
The NFL and United Way were first to market in America on a brand new technology, Text-to-Give, to support youth fitness. The promotion raised more than $10,000 on Super Bowl Sunday with a single 10-second Super Bowl ad.