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Two Washington High School Varsity Football Players Each Win $5,000 in Qwest Leadership Challenge

Two Washington High School Varsity Football Players Each Win $5,000 in Qwest Leadership Challenge

Published 09-26-05

Submitted by Qwest Communications International

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2005--The Seattle Seahawks and Qwest Communications International, Inc (NYSE: Q) today announced two student athletes will receive $5,000 from the Seattle Seahawks and Qwest scholarship program in recognition for their outstanding achievements in their communities. Nate Thompson, University High School (Spokane), and Ben Fritsch, Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School (Everett), were chosen from nearly 100 varsity football players in the state of Washington to represent their high schools in a statewide competition called the Qwest Leadership Challenge. This challenge invited football players from each of Washington's 331 high school football programs to volunteer in their community.

"We created this program with Qwest to recognize outstanding student athletes and to showcase them as role models throughout the state," said Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke. "The Seattle Seahawks are very excited about this program, which showcases football's inherent qualities."

Thompson's and Fritsch's projects were selected from numerous worthy submissions because each individual demonstrated strong written and motivational skills to go along with their fundraising efforts and community involvement. Thompson partnered with the Spokane Valley Food Bank to create "Have a Ball This Summer," a program through which more than 1,800 baseballs, tennis balls, bats, rackets and hula hoops were distributed to needy children, many without homes, much less toys to play with. The entire community of Spokane became involved and 180 service hours were also donated, far surpassing the 40-hour minimum set forth in the scholarship program guidelines.

Fritsch led a group of students in a project called "The Whole Nine Yards," through which more than 450 hours of service were dedicated to the upkeep of the yards and homes of 11 elderly Snohomish County residents identified by the Volunteer Chore Services as needing help. The Volunteer Chore Services program allows the elderly and sick to keep their houses and remain independent instead of having to live in a retirement or group home. Fritsch still leads a group of regular volunteers throughout this football season.

"Qwest is proud to work with the Seattle Seahawks to honor student athletes, and we are committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we live and work," said Kirk Nelson, Qwest president for Washington. "This volunteer program challenges high school football players to inspire their teammates, classmates and community members to promote activism and service, which we achieved with more than 3,800 volunteer hours collectively served."

In addition to $5,000 scholarships, Thompson and Fritsch each received a check from Qwest for $500 to be donated to their respective community programs. Other participating student athletes will be given a $500 grant for the benefit of the nonprofit organization where they donated their time.

The high school players will be recognized at a special game-time ceremony at the Sept. 25, Seattle Seahawks/Arizona Cardinals game.

About Qwest

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leading provider of high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services. With approximately 40,000 employees, Qwest is committed to the "Spirit of Service" and providing world-class services that exceed customers'
expectations for quality, value and reliability. For more information, please visit the Qwest Web site at www.qwest.com.

Forward Looking Statement Note

This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever our balance sheet through asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the current investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by regulatory authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future legal proceedings related to matters that are the subject of governmental investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the likelihood of certain of our competitors consolidating with other providers or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure to more effectively compete against us; changes in demand for our products and services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies; and our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts.

The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility.

Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts'
expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements and other statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material.

The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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Qwest Communications International

Qwest Communications International

Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of managed voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers - locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. Qwest is a participant in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, to provide leading-edge voice, data and video services. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to www.qwest.com. For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the Networx contract, visit www.gsanetworx.com. The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

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