ATLANTA — Super Bowl tight end Leonard Pope of the Arizona Cardinals will host his All-Star Weekend to benefit youth and families June 12-13 in his hometown of Americus.

The event will be sponsored by the Leonard Pope C.H.A.M.P. (Creating Hope and Making Progress) Foundation, which is non-profit organization promotes programs that enhance the quality of life for children and families by teaching them leadership skills, assisting in community revitalization, educational awareness and providing role models for underprivileged youth.

Last year’s event had nearly 1,000 participants. Pope has added a free youth football clinic to the schedule, which also includes a celebrity basketball game and a free Kids’ Day in the park.

“This weekend gives me the chance to touch my community and give back,” said Pope whose nickname is also Champ.

The weekend, which is co-organized by EDGE 3M Sports & Entertainment, features a fun-filled series of events designed to give youth in the area an opportunity to have fun and meet their favorite NFL Stars.   

“Leonard has a sincere heart to give back to his hometown,” said Marshawn Evans, President of EDGE 3M Sports & Entertainment. “He wants the 2009 All-Star weekend to be bigger and better than ever before.”

NFL players will show off their basketball skills at a celebrity basketball game that Friday at the Americus-Sumter South campus. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 those under 18. The Foundation will host Kids’ Day and the youth football clinic at Boone Park Reservation.

The camp will go from noon-4 p.m. and will be taught by a professional coaching staff. It will include games, food, inflatables, clowns, NFL autograph signings, football drill stations and music.

Invited NFL players include: Charles Grant (New Orleans Saints), Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers), Odell Thurman (Cincinnati Bengals), D.J. Shockley (Atlanta Falcons), Marcus McNeil (San Diego Chargers), Calvin Pace (New York Jets), Danny Ware (New York Giants), Elton Brown (Arizona Cardinals), Jarvis Jackson (Tennessee Titans), Charles Johnson (Carolina Panthers) and Sean Jones (Philadelphia Eagles).