Football Fever Kicks Off

Playing the “big game” is mostly a fantasy for football fans. Only muscle-bound bruisers need apply. But the NFL is sponsoring a football challenge for the average fan--men, women or children--with the NFL Air-It-Out competition, making stops in 19 cities around the country, including two in Southern California.

There are team events (reservations required) and individual attractions (open free to anyone). The four-person teams compete in a four-on-four flag-football tournament, matched up against other teams according to size, skill and experience. The winners will head to the Air-It-Out Super Bowl at Universal Studios, Orlando, Fla., in March.

The attractions open to spectators include the Gatorade Field Goal Challenge, Quarter Challenge, Down and Out, Stadium Moon Bounce and others.

The first four-on-four is Saturday and Sunday, at the UC Irvine campus all-purpose field, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The next Air-It-Out takes place in Encino, at Balboa Park, Nov. 5-6. To sign up a team, call (310) 829-5226.