KICKING FOR A CAUSE: Beachbody Pledges $1 million if Akers Breaks NFL Longest Field...

KICKING FOR A CAUSE: Beachbody Pledges $1 million if Akers Breaks NFL Longest
Field Goal

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- One Million Dollars. That's what
Philadelphia Eagles placekicker David Akers is set to receive for his favorite
charity. But here's the kicker: Akers needs to boot a 64-yard field goal in a
game and break an NFL record that's stood for the past 38 years.
Akers, a 10-year Eagles veteran and the NFL's current point leader,
accepted the challenge from Beachbody, maker of the revolutionary fitness and
nutrition program P90X. Akers turned to P90X to help regain his strength,
focus and flexibility after the 2007 season.
In an August interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Akers acknowledged
he was embarrassed by his long kick performance during the 2007 season, during
which he hit on only two of 10 field goal attempts from more than 40 yards.
Akers discovered P90X after seeing an infomercial for the program on
late-night TV. After evaluating the program with Eagles' head trainer Rick
Burkholder, the two began the intensive regimen that combines strength
conditioning with cardiovascular training, yoga and performance-enhancing
exercises.
Akers lost 20 pounds and six percent of his body fat while using the P90X
program and has regularly hit field goals from over 60 yards out at the
Eagles' training camp and practices. Burkholder lost 30 pounds and has since
used the program with many of the Eagles' injured players.
"P90X was created by [professional trainer] Tony Horton to enable
individuals to reach their full potential," said Jon Congdon, president of
Beachbody. "David is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through
hard work and dedication. But the fact is you don't have to be a professional
athlete to succeed with this program. Heck at 40 years old, even I got ripped
with P90X."
If Akers makes a 64-yard field goal he'll break the NFL record set by New
Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey on November 1, 1970. Dempsey also played for
the Eagles later in his career.
However, the real winners of Akers' million-dollar achievement will be the
families of Greater Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Akers' charity,
David Akers Kicks for Kids, provides assistance to families of children
undergoing treatment at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Akers
established the organization in 2001.
"I don't know if I'll get the chance to break the record this season,"
says Akers, who has a career-best 57-yard field goal to his credit. "But if I
do, I promise it's sailing right through the uprights."
About Beachbody
Founded in 1998, Los Angeles-based Product Partners, LLC is the maker of
Beachbody in-home fitness products, accessories, and nutritional supplements.
Beachbody videos include programs P90X(R), Power 90(R), Ten Minute Trainer(R),
Turbo Jam(R), Slim in 6(R), Yoga Booty Ballet(TM), Kathy Smith's Project:
YOU(TM) for Type 2, and Hip Hop Abs(TM). The company's mission is to motivate
and educate individuals about health, fitness, and the benefits of maintaining
a lean body through a combination of challenging fitness programs,
easy-to-follow diet guidelines, and a highly innovative and successful online
support system unlike any other in the industry.
Contact: Jon Congdon, Product Partners, LLC, 310-388-7493 or
jcongdon@productpartners.com
SOURCE Product Partners, LLC

Jon Congdon of Product Partners, LLC, +1-310-388-7493,
jcongdon@productpartners.com