(PRESS RELEASE) – Jason “Mayhem” Miller has already shown the world that he’s no fan of bullies. Now, the host of MTV’s smash-hit reality series “Bully Beatdown” has been joined by fellow STRIKEFORCE mixed martial arts (MMA) stars Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith and Daniel Cormier in a national campaign led by apparel company and cause organization Kickin’ It, Inc. to curb a perennial problem amongst adolescents and teenagers.
Founded by Kickin’ It Apparel Co. President GinaMarie Raimondo in May 2009, the “Bullying…We’re Kickin’ It” campaign aims to stop bullying amongst youth and the resulting psychological and emotional wounds often left on victims. Raimondo’s outfit aggressively engages students, their guardians, and school faculty in useful dialogue and activities, including workshops led by the organization’s spokespeople in order to encourage positive behavior.
Smith and Cormier will pay visits to several Chicago schools and youth centers this week while Miller readies for his highly-anticipated, live network television debut on CBS this Saturday, November 7 when he will face off with fellow superstar Jake Shields during the STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global co-promoted “Fedor vs. Rogers” event at Chicago’s Sears Centre Arena.
“I’m enthused to be a part of something like this that’s bigger than just fighting and bigger than just a TV show,” said the 28-year-old Miller, who has already recorded a number of public service announcements on behalf of Kickin It’s campaign. The messages are being broadcast nationally courtesy of Premiere Radio, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide. “I want to bring about positive change amongst the youth in this country and this is a way to do that.”
Cormier, a two-time member of The United States Olympic wrestling team who placed fourth in the 2004 Games held in Athens, Greece, was inspired to join the group as a result of his personal experiences.
“I was bullied as a kid so I know what it’s like to be belittled and humiliated in front of my peers,” said the 30-year-old Cormier. “I want to make a difference in the lives of kids who are facing the same things I did when I was their age.”
Smith’s status as a father of two boys, ages 12 and 6, has heightened his sensitivity to the problem. “It hasn’t happened to either of my kids yet, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen in the future. It’s something that concerns me and I want to do whatever I can to influence kids in a positive way.”
“Bullying is a very serious problem in every school across America that has long lasting, detrimental effects on your youth,” said Raimondo. “This problem requires an integrated approach involving the entire community to unite against this kind of behavior. Kickin It’s campaign offers that and hopes others will follow the example of the STRIKEFORCE athletes who should be admired for their passion and determination to address this issue.”
About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.
About “Bullying…We’re Kickin’ It”
The Kickin’ It Apparel Co., where every color Kickin’ It logo represents a cause, donates a portion of the proceeds of every sale to help assist various organizations and causes. The BULLYING…We’re Kickin’ It, across America, Nat’l Campaign is designed to end bullying in our schools, while encouraging positive behavior amongst our youth, with a supportive and personal approach. The Campaign involves the responsibility of the students, their guardians, the schools and the entire community. The Campaign fundraiser donates 100% of the net proceeds to each participating school, to help them implement the campaign and assist them financially institute programs addressing the long-term effects of bullying. The Kickin’ It Commitment Card requires the involvement of the students and their guardians. The Campaign offers a student reward program to help increase unity among the students and a personal message center for them to share stories or to help a friend in need. Kickin’ It invites everyone to be a part of this movement www.werekickinit.com
The picture is actually me(dark blue shirt) and Eddie(packers jersey) “meeting” Jack(victim) for the first time as kids..LOL! Just kidding! It’s good to see the fighters giving back to the fans, especially the kids. Good on ’em!