INFORMATION GUIDE - NFL Communications€¦ · information guide. for use as desired produced by nfl communications department . 7/31/12 ... new cancer center opens in memory of pro

INFORMATION GUIDE

FOR USE AS DESIRED Produced by NFL Communications Department

7/31/12 Statistics by Elias Sports Bureau

KICKOFF 2012

GIANTS & COWBOYS KICK OFF SEASON ..................................................................................................................................... 1 KICKOFF WEEKEND SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................................................... 2 NFL TEAM RECORDS ON KICKOFF WEEKEND ............................................................................................................................ 2 RECORDS OF NFL HEAD COACHES ON KICKOFF WEEKEND.................................................................................................... 2 NFL CONTINUES TO EMPHASIZE PLAYER HEALTH & SAFETY ............................................................................................... 3-4 NFL CARES FOR THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED ............................................................................................................................ 5 GOVERNMENT RESEARCH STUDY FINDS NFL PLAYERS LIVE LONGER ................................................................................. 5 NEW CANCER CENTER OPENS IN MEMORY OF PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER GENE UPSHAW ................................... 6 NEW RULES FOR 2012 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 NFL RULES – A CONSTANT EVOLUTION .................................................................................................................................. 7-10 NFL STADIUMS ON GAME DAY – AN EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER! .............................................................................. 11 THANK YOU FANS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 BACK TO FOOTBALL ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 2012 KICKOFF WEEKEND NOTES ........................................................................................................................................... 14-15 HEADLINE GAMES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 NFL RATCHETS UP THE EXCITEMENT...HOPE IS ALIVE! .......................................................................................................... 16 2012-13 NFL CALENDAR ................................................................................................................................................................ 16 UNPREDICTABLE NFL .................................................................................................................................................................... 17 SUSTAINED SUCCESS ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 DIVISION TITLES? UP FOR GRABS! ............................................................................................................................................. 18 NEW LEADERSHIP ATOP DIVISIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 18 EXCITING COMEBACKS HIGHLIGHTED 2011 .............................................................................................................................. 19 12-WIN TEAMS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 2012 NFL STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE .......................................................................................................................................... 20 FROM WORST TO FIRST ............................................................................................................................................................... 21 A CRUCIAL CATCH: NFL SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH ..................................................................... 22 LIVE UNITED .................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 COMMUNITY MINDED .................................................................................................................................................................... 24 SALUTE TO SERVICE ................................................................................................................................................................ 25-29 NFL LAUNCHES NEW COMPREHENSIVE TOTAL WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR CURRENT & FORMER PLAYERS .............. 30 NFL PLAYER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS .............................................................................................................................. 31-32 NFL ROOKIE SYMPOSIUM TEACHES HISTORY, EXPERIENCE, EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITY ........................... 32-33 HARRIS POLL: PRO FOOTBALL IS AMERICA’S FAVORITE SPORT BY FAR ............................................................................ 33 SURVEY SAYS! ............................................................................................................................................................................... 34 NEW ORLEANS TO HOST 10TH SUPER BOWL ........................................................................................................................... 35 SAME FACES, NEW PLACES ......................................................................................................................................................... 36 2012 NFL SPECIAL PATCHES & LOGOS ...................................................................................................................................... 37 NEW LOGOS FOR 2012 .................................................................................................................................................................. 38 BEST KICKOFF WEEKEND PERFORMANCES, 1933-2011 .......................................................................................................... 39 BEST KICKOFF WEEKEND PERFORMANCES, PAST 10 YEARS ............................................................................................... 40 THE LAST TIME ............................................................................................................................................................................... 41 STARTING RECORDS OF ACTIVE NFL QUARTERBACKS .......................................................................................................... 42 IT’S LONDON, YEAR 6! ................................................................................................................................................................... 43 …MEANWHILE IN TORONTO ......................................................................................................................................................... 44

2012 NFL TRAVEL MILES ............................................................................................................................................................... 44 HISPANICS MAKING THEIR MARK (HACIENDO SU MARCA) ON THE NFL! ......................................................................... 45-46 NFL DRAFT GOES INTERNATIONAL ............................................................................................................................................. 46 INTERNATIONAL FEEL ................................................................................................................................................................... 47 NFL ON TV IN 2012 .................................................................................................................................................................... 48-50 NFL ON THE GO AND ONLINE ....................................................................................................................................................... 50 NFL RADIO 2012 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 51-52 FUTURE SUPER BOWLS ................................................................................................................................................................ 52 WOMEN’S IMPACT ON NFL KEEPS GROWING ...................................................................................................................... 53-54 ACCOMPLISHED IN THEIR OWN RIGHT ................................................................................................................................. 55-56 NFL JERSEY SALES – NO. 18 IS NO. 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 57 THE GIRLS ARE OUT THERE, TOO ............................................................................................................................................... 58 FOOTBALL’S POPULARITY IN HIGH SCHOOL KEEPS GROWING ............................................................................................. 59 YOUTH FOOTBALL SAFETY AND HELMET REPLACEMENT PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES ...................................................... 60 USA FOOTBALL SAFETY SURVEILLANCE STUDY ADVANCES YOUTH GAME ....................................................................... 61 USA FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTALS! ............................................................................................................................................... 61 NFL PLAYERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE WITH USA FOOTBALL ALL-FUNDAMENTALS TEAM ....................................................... 62 NFL AND LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION INVEST $2.5 MILLION IN FIELD GRANTS .................................... 63 NFL YOUTH FOOTBALL FUND AWARDS $600,000 IN GRANTS TO CURRENT & FORMER PLAYERS AND COACHES....... 64 NFL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT SCORES WITH STUDENTS .............................................................................. 65 IT’S AN ELECTION YEAR................................................................................................................................................................ 66 FIVE COLLEGES TO ADD FOOTBALL IN 2012 ............................................................................................................................. 67 FOOTBALL’S GROWTH AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL ................................................................................................................ 68 GOING FOR GOLD – THE NFL AND THE OLYMPICS ............................................................................................................. 69-70 BEST NFL RECORDS, PAST 10 YEARS ........................................................................................................................................ 70 MODIFIED SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME ....................................................................................................................................... 71 OVERTIME EXCITEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................... 72 THE FAMOUS LOVE THE NFL! ...................................................................................................................................................... 73 BEST OPENING MONTH RECORDS, PAST 10 YEARS ................................................................................................................ 74 65 YEARS AGO ON KICKOFF WEEKEND – A RECORD 87 POINTS! ......................................................................................... 74 61 YEARS AGO ON KICKOFF WEEKEND: THE DUTCHMAN GOES WILD! ................................................................................ 75

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! ANNIVERSARY ANNALS................................................................................................................................................................. 77 OWNER MILESTONES .................................................................................................................................................................... 78 CHIEFS TO CELEBRATE 50 SEASONS IN KANSAS CITY ........................................................................................................... 78 REDSKINS & STEELERS CELEBRATE MILESTONES ............................................................................................................ 79-80 80 YEARS AGO: THE NFL INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP .................................................................................................................. 80 45 YEARS AGO: “THE ICE BOWL” ............................................................................................................................................ 81-83 50 YEARS OF PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ........................................................................................................................... 83 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE “IMMACULATE RECEPTION” ....................................................................................................... 84 40 YEARS AGO: THE PERFECT SEASON ............................................................................................................................... 85-86

THE TEAMS WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2012 ........................................................................................................................................................ 87 NEW YORK GIANTS – THE EMPIRE STATE STRIKES BACK...................................................................................................... 88 NEW YORK GIANTS RISING .......................................................................................................................................................... 89 QUARTERBACK SUCCESS ............................................................................................................................................................ 90 GOOD THINGS COME IN PAIRS .................................................................................................................................................... 91 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LOOK TO CONTINUE WINNING TRADITION ................................................................................. 92 THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS ...................................................................................................................................................... 92 TIGHT ENDS ON THE RISE ............................................................................................................................................................ 93 TOP SUPERLATIVE? RUN THE BALL ............................................................................................................................................ 94 FOURTH-AND-ONE ......................................................................................................................................................................... 94 TURNOVERS ARE KEY TO VICTORY ........................................................................................................................................... 95 RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR – NEW YORK GIANTS’ SUPER BOWL RINGS ............................................................................. 96 SUPER BOWL TROPHY BY THE NUMBERS................................................................................................................................. 96 SUPER FOLLOW-UPS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 97

THE PLAYERS WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2012 ................................................................................................................................................. 99-101

AARON RODGERS – PACK MAN ................................................................................................................................................. 102 ELI MANNING – ELI-TE QUARTERBACK..................................................................................................................................... 103 TOM BRADY – TOM TERRIFIC ..................................................................................................................................................... 104 PEYTON MANNING – PEY DAY ................................................................................................................................................... 105 DREW BREES – COOL BREES .................................................................................................................................................... 106 YOUNG QUARTERBACKS ON THE RISE............................................................................................................................. 107-108 STEVEN JACKSON – ACTION JACKSON.................................................................................................................................... 108 CHARLES WOODSON – CHARLES IN CHARGE ........................................................................................................................ 109 DARREN SPROLES – MISTER VERSATILITY ............................................................................................................................. 109 DEVIN HESTER – THANK DEVIN ................................................................................................................................................. 110 DOUBLE TROUBLE RUNNING BACKS! ....................................................................................................................................... 111 ROOKIES EXCELLED IN 2011 ...................................................................................................................................................... 112 RECEIVERS MAKING A SPLASH ................................................................................................................................................. 113 PROTECTING THE QUARTERBACK – EVOLUTION OF TACKLE POSITION ........................................................................... 114 MANY HAPPY RETURNS – RETURN TOUCHDOWNS ............................................................................................................... 115 BIG PLAY EXCITEMENT – MOST 20-YARD RECEPTIONS & RUSHES .................................................................................... 116 CLUTCH PERFORMERS – QBs WITH HIGHEST FOURTH-QUARTER PASSER RATING ....................................................... 116 ON TARGET – RECEIVERS WITH MOST TARGETS .................................................................................................................. 117 YARDS AFTER THE CATCH ......................................................................................................................................................... 117 MOVING THE CHAINS – THIRD-DOWN RECEIVING TOTALS ................................................................................................... 118 AT A LOSS – MOST TACKLES FOR A LOSS .............................................................................................................................. 119 SACK ATTACK – MOST SACKS ................................................................................................................................................... 119 NOT DRAFTED? NOT A PROBLEM ............................................................................................................................................. 120 SMALL SCHOOL SUCCESS ......................................................................................................................................................... 121 QUARTERBACKS OF THE FUTURE ............................................................................................................................................ 122 WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER TO WATCH .......................................................................................................................... 123 WHY I LIKE MY NUMBER.............................................................................................................................................................. 124 NFL NICKNAMES: TERMS OF ENDEARMENT............................................................................................................................ 125 VISITOR’S PASS: FAVORITE NFL STADIUMS ............................................................................................................................ 126 HEY BROTHER .............................................................................................................................................................................. 127 MR. IRRELEVANT GOES TO NEWPORT BEACH ....................................................................................................................... 128 ACTIVE STATISTICAL LEADERS ENTERING 2011 .................................................................................................................... 129

THE COACHES WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2012 ...................................................................................................................................................... 131 BILL BELICHICK’S LUCKY 13 ....................................................................................................................................................... 131 BILL WALSH NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP ........................................................................................................... 132 2012 NEW COACHES QUESTIONNAIRES ........................................................................................................................... 133-137 DENNIS ALLEN .......................................................................................................................................................................... 133 JEFF FISHER ............................................................................................................................................................................. 134 MIKE MULARKEY ............................................................................................................................................................... 134-135 CHUCK PAGANO ................................................................................................................................................................ 135-136 JOE PHILBIN .............................................................................................................................................................................. 136 GREG SCHIANO ................................................................................................................................................................. 136-137 EXCITEMENT ABOUNDS AS NEW COACHES TAKE OVER ............................................................................................... 137-139 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH CHUCK PAGANO ...................................................................................................... 137 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS HEAD COACH MIKE MULARKEY ............................................................................................... 137 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS HEAD COACH ROMEO CRENNEL............................................................................................. 137-138 MIAMI DOLPHINS HEAD COACH JOE PHILBIN ...................................................................................................................... 138 OAKLAND RAIDERS HEAD COACH DENNIS ALLEN ............................................................................................................. 138 ST. LOUIS RAMS HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER ............................................................................................................... 138-139 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS HEAD COACH GREG SCHIANO ............................................................................................... 139 MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES IN NFL FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................ 140

GIANTS & COWBOYS KICK OFF SEASON ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

It’s time to get “Back to Football!” The 2012 season begins with the NFL’s annual primetime kickoff game. The opener on Wednesday, September 5 on NBC (8:30 PM ET) will feature the Super Bowl champion New York Giants hosting division rival Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Continuing a tradition that started in 2004, the previous year’s Super Bowl winner hosts the NFL Kickoff game to open the following season. Prior to kickoff, an on-field celebration at MetLife Stadium will honor the world champion Giants as the NFL officially kicks off the 2012 regular season. NBC will televise NFL Kickoff 2012 at 7:30 PM ET followed by the game at 8:30 PM ET.

A rundown of the NFL primetime kickoff games since 2002:

DATE SITE RESULT (HOME TEAM IN CAPS) RECAP Sept. 5, 2002 Giants Stadium San Francisco 16, NY GIANTS 13 San Francisco kicker Jose Cortez kicks a 36-

yard field goal with six seconds remaining to lead the 49ers to victory in the NFL’s first Thursday-night opener since 1949.

Sept. 4, 2003 FedExField WASHINGTON 16, NY Jets 13 Washington kicker John Hall converts a game-winning 50-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to lift the Redskins past his former team.

Sept. 9, 2004 Gillette Stadium NEW ENGLAND 27, Indianapolis 24 New England quarterback Tom Brady passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns as the defending Super Bowl champions defeat the Colts.

Sept. 8, 2005 Gillette Stadium NEW ENGLAND 30, Oakland 20 New England quarterback Tom Brady throws for 306 yards and two touchdowns while running back Corey Dillon adds two scores for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Sept. 7, 2006 Heinz Field PITTSBURGH 28, Miami 17 Pittsburgh quarterback Charlie Batch passes for three touchdowns and running back Willie Parker adds 115 yards as the defending Super Bowl champions defeat Miami.

Sept. 6, 2007 RCA Dome INDIANAPOLIS 41, New Orleans 10 The Super Bowl champion Colts rack up 452 yards of offense as quarterback Peyton Manning passes for 288 yards and three TDs.

Sept. 4, 2008 Giants Stadium NY GIANTS 16, Washington 7 Quarterback Eli Manning scores a touchdown and the Giants’ defense allows just 209 total yards as the defending Super Bowl champions defeat division-rival Washington.

Sept. 10, 2009 Heinz Field PITTSBURGH 13, Tennessee 10 (OT) Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed kicks a 33-yard game-winning field goal in overtime as the defending Super Bowl champions defeat Tennessee.

Sept. 9, 2010 Louisiana Superdome NEW ORLEANS 14, Minnesota 9 New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees throws for 237 yards and a touchdown to lead the Saints past the Vikings in a rematch of the 2009 NFC Championship Game.

Sept. 8, 2011 Lambeau Field GREEN BAY 42, New Orleans 34 Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns and the Packers’ defense makes a goal-line stand on the game’s final play as the defending Super Bowl champions defeat the Saints.

NFL KICKOFF 2012 SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 9-10

(All times local)

Dallas at New York Giants, 8:30 PM (Wed., NBC) Buffalo at New York Jets, 1:00 PM Indianapolis at Chicago, 12:00 PM New England at Tennessee, 12:00 PM Philadelphia at Cleveland, 1:00 PM Seattle at Arizona, 1:25 PM St. Louis at Detroit, 1:00 PM San Francisco at Green Bay, 3:25 PM Miami at Houston, 12:00 PM Carolina at Tampa Bay, 4:25 PM Atlanta at Kansas City, 12:00 PM Pittsburgh at Denver, 6:20 PM (NBC) Jacksonville at Minnesota, 12:00 PM Cincinnati at Baltimore, 7:00 PM (Mon., ESPN) Washington at New Orleans, 12:00 PM San Diego at Oakland, 7:15 PM (Mon., ESPN)

KICKOFF WEEKEND

Since 1978 when the NFL went to the 16-game schedule, and excluding the abbreviated season of 1982, teams that are victorious on Kickoff Weekend are more than twice as likely to reach the playoffs than losers of an opening game:

Of the 490 teams which won openers…258 went to the playoffs (152 won division titles). Of the 490 teams which lost openers…111 went to the playoffs (66 won division titles).

In 2011, seven of the 12 playoff teams – Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Green Bay, Houston, New England and San Francisco – were victorious on Kickoff Weekend.

KICKOFF WEEKEND RECORDS OF NFL TEAMS

Longest Streaks Longest Streaks AFC W L T Pct. Win Loss Current NFC W L T Pct. Win Loss Current Jacksonville 11 6 0 .647 6 3 W-2 Dallas 34 17 1 .663 17 5 L-2 Denver 32 19 1 .625 4 4 L-2 Chicago 52 35 5 .592 9 6 W-2 San Diego 30 22 0 .577 6 6 W-1 N.Y. Giants 49 33 5 .592 4 3 L-1 Pittsburgh 40 33 4 .545 8 3 L-1 Green Bay 52 36 3 .588 5 6 W-5 New England 28 24 0 .538 8 3 W-8 Minnesota 28 22 1 .559 5 3 L-2 Miami 24 21 1 .533 11 5 L-1 Detroit 43 37 2 .537 10 4 W-1 Kansas City 27 25 0 .519 7 4 L-1 San Francisco 32 29 1 .524 5 3 W-1 Tennessee 27 25 0 .519 4 3 L-1 Atlanta 24 22 0 .522 5 3 L-2 Indianapolis 34 33 1 .507 8 8 L-2 St. Louis 38 36 0 .514 5 6 L-5 Baltimore 8 8 0 .500 4 4 W-4 Washington 39 37 4 .513 6 5 W-2 Houston 5 5 0 .500 2 3 W-2 Arizona 37 52 2 .418 6 7 W-2 Oakland 25 27 0 .481 5 8 W-1 Philadelphia 32 45 1 .417 5 9 W-1 Cleveland 27 32 0 .458 5 7 L-7 Tampa Bay 14 22 0 .389 3 5 L-1 Cincinnati 20 24 0 .455 4 4 W-1 Seattle 13 23 0 .361 3 8 L-1 N.Y. Jets 23 29 0 .442 3 5 W-1 New Orleans 16 29 0 .356 3 6 L-1 Buffalo 21 31 0 .404 6 5 W-1 Carolina 6 11 0 .353 3 4 L-3

KICKOFF WEEKEND RECORDS OF NFL HEAD COACHES

COACH TEAM W-L PCT COACH TEAM W-L PCT John Harbaugh Baltimore 4-0 1.000 Andy Reid Philadelphia 6-7 .462 Jim Harbaugh San Francisco 1-0 1.000 Marvin Lewis Cincinnati 4-5 .444 Mike McCarthy Green Bay 5-1 .833 Norv Turner San Diego 6-8 .429 Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh 4-1 .800 John Fox Denver 4-6 .400 Mike Shanahan Washington 14-4 .778 Jim Schwartz Detroit 1-2 .333 Chan Gailey Buffalo 3-1 .750 Leslie Frazier Minnesota 0-1 .000 Pete Carroll Seattle 4-2 .667 Jason Garrett Dallas 0-1 .000 Rex Ryan N.Y. Jets 2-1 .667 Mike Munchak Tennessee 0-1 .000 Bill Belichick New England 11-6 .647 Ron Rivera Carolina 0-1 .000 Tom Coughlin N.Y. Giants 10-6 .625 Pat Shurmur Cleveland 0-1 .000 Jeff Fisher St. Louis 10-6 .625 Romeo Crennel Kansas City 0-4 .000 Ken Whisenhunt Arizona 3-2 .600 Dennis Allen Oakland 0-0 -- Lovie Smith Chicago 4-4 .500 Chuck Pagano Indianapolis 0-0 -- Gary Kubiak Houston 3-3 .500 Joe Philbin Miami 0-0 -- Mike Smith Atlanta 2-2 .500 Greg Schiano Tampa Bay 0-0 -- Mike Mularkey Jacksonville 1-1 .500

NFL CONTINUES TO EMPHASIZE PLAYER HEALTH AND SAFETY As part of its focus on player health and safety, the NFL has made more rules changes, introduced enhanced sideline concussion protocols and is continuing its commitment to education and advocacy on concussion prevention and treatment. During the 2011 season, the league introduced two additional elements to NFL sideline concussion protocol. Beginning in December, the NFL arranged for a certified athletic trainer to be present in the press box at each game to monitor play of both teams and provide medical staffs with any relevant information that could assist them in determining the most appropriate evaluation and treatment. In addition, club medical staffs are permitted to use their cell phones during games for purposes of obtaining information relating to the care of an injured player. The enhanced protocol was welcomed by team trainers. “It’s all about player safety,” says Pittsburgh Steelers trainer JOHN NORWIG. “To have a trainer who is used to taking care of players providing another set of eyes upstairs, I don’t have any problem with it.” The move was also praised by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) for its impact on youth sports. “Education and awareness is the key to creating change,” says MARJORIE ALBOHM, president of NATA. “The NFL’s concussion policies have put a spotlight on this and other injuries. That has created tremendous awareness of the importance of proper injury care for athletes and the important role that athletic trainers play in that.” Last January, teams were permitted to begin using sideline video monitors to assist team medical personnel in diagnosing and treating injuries. The monitors are made available to team physicians and head athletic trainers to review footage of plays during which a player is injured or appears to be injured. There will be sideline monitors on all sidelines in 2012 for use by team medical staffs. The video monitors were useful immediately to the New York Giants in last year’s playoffs. Vice President of Medical Services RONNIE BARNES indicated that they helped diagnose two players who sustained concussions. “The video replay provided us with evidence that a concussive event had occurred,” says Barnes. “The system worked as it should have.”

The focus on player safety continued with rules changes proposed by the NFL Competition Committee and ratified by the 32 NFL teams this offseason. In May, owners voted to make thigh and knee pads mandatory for players beginning in the 2013 season. “There’s no downside, they have to add some sort of protection,” says Atlanta Falcons President/CEO and Chairman of the NFL Competition Committee RICH MC KAY. “In our football system, everyone wears them up to our game. Common sense tells you it has to be safer for [protection against] thigh injuries and knee bruises. If players have worn it in Pop Warner, high school and college, from a safety standpoint, it is time to put it back in.” The impact of rule changes has been evident on the playing field. Data showed that moving the kickoff up five yards last season helped reduce the number of concussions players sustained on kickoffs. “The kickoff rule had an effect on the game,” says McKay. “There was a 40 percent reduction in concussions on that play.” To ensure that young athletes are protected from head injury and treated appropriately when they are suspected of injury, NFL representatives, including former players, have advocated for passage of the LYSTEDT LAW. The law is named for ZACKERY LYSTEDT who, in 2006, suffered a brain injury following his return to a middle school football game after sustaining a concussion. Zackery, his family and a broad range of medical, business and community partners lobbied the Washington state legislature for a law to protect young athletes in all sports from returning to play too soon after head injuries. The Lystedt Law contains three essential elements:

• Athletes, parents and coaches must be educated about the dangers of concussions each year. • If a young athlete is suspected of having a concussion, he/she must be removed from a game or practice and not be

permitted to return to play. When in doubt, sit them out. • A licensed health care professional must clear the young athlete to return to play in the subsequent days or weeks.

As of July, 35 states and Washington, D.C. have adopted youth concussion laws while two states have passed legislation and are awaiting respective governor’s signatures. In June 2011, the NCAA announced that it was supporting the NFL in its advocacy efforts. In January 2012, NCAA Commissioner MARK EMMERT and NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL joined together to write letters to the governors of states without a youth sports concussion law. The NFL will continue its advocacy efforts in this matter until each state has passed a Lystedt Law. “Once people know the potential consequences, it becomes an easy decision,” says VICTOR LYSTEDT, Zackery’s father, about opting to remove players from the field after a hit to the head. “Most every parent and coach is going to make the right decision because it can become a catastrophic event thereafter. That awareness became our job after Zack got injured.” Reaching players at the youth level is a priority for the NFL when it comes to player health and safety. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USA Football, the sport’s governing body on youth and amateur levels, NFL teams help youth and high school coaches learn the signs of head injury and understand the best methods of treatment and prevention. Coaches are also educated on the subject during the NFL-USA Football Youth Football Summit, which takes place in Canton, Ohio each year. Teams are working to educate local youth league coaches, parents and athletes through health and safety forums. In the last year, the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts have hosted forums in their communities, bringing together medical experts from the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and CDC with team trainers, physicians, executives and players to discuss concussion prevention and treatment, helmet fit and NFL concussion protocol with interested community members. At the Chicago Bears health and safety forum, held in February, team chairman GEORGE H. MC CASKEY spoke with a group of youth football coaches and players. “There’s a warrior mentality, and this is exactly the reason we are here today,” said McCaskey, addressing the importance of changing mindsets amongst professional and youth players. “We, as players and coaches, need to change the culture of concussions,” added Bears long snapper PATRICK MANNELLY. “This isn’t something where you play hurt. This is your life.” In addition, this spring, the NFL joined a group of sports organizations, safety equipment manufacturers and a federal agency to create a youth safety and helmet replacement program for underserved communities (see page 60). The program, which is supported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), will replace youth league helmets that are 10 years or older with updated equipment at no cost, and provide coaches with the latest educational health and safety materials. The NFL, NFL Players Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association and National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment have committed approximately $1 million to the program for its first year. USA Football will lead the execution of the initiative. The CDC, National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association, Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt and Xenith have also joined the partnership. “I am pleased to see the NFL, USA Football and manufacturers working together to make sure our young football players are not wearing 10-year-old helmets that no longer meet industry safety standards,” says Senator TOM UDALL (D-NM). “Increasing awareness of equipment safety and sports concussion will help protect young players from injury.” Recognizing their similar cultures and unique challenges, the NFL and the military are working together to share ideas on concussion education for their respective populations. “We have the same ethos,” says U.S. Army Chief of Staff GENERAL RAY ODIERNO. “Soldiers sometimes don’t want to admit that they have brain injuries. It’s an invisible injury. And the NFL players are sometimes the same way, so we want to come up with ways to communicate to them that it’s important that if they are having a problem that they come forward because it has long-term impacts.” As such, current and former NFL players and coaches have joined with members of the military for a series of discussions on changing attitudes on head injuries in the locker room and on the battlefield. “It has to start with the kids,” says former running back BRIAN WESTBROOK. “Then they’ll get older and they’ll realize, ‘Hey, this isn’t just part of the sport. It’s way more serious than that and it has to be treated the right way.’” For more information, visit http://nflhealthandsafety.com.

http://nflhealthandsafety.com/

NFL CARES FOR THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED The landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2011 by the NFL and NFL Players Association included additional funding of approximately $1 billion for retiree benefits. The largest single amount, $620 million, is being used for a new LEGACY FUND, which has increased benefits for eligible pre-1993 retirees and approximately 320 widows and other survivors of eligible pre-1993 players. “Nothing the league can do can ever fully express our appreciation to the players who helped build our league,” said Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “However, the Legacy Fund is a significant step, especially as the benefits apply to the older players.” The BERT BELL/PETE ROZELLE PLAYER PENSION PLAN, which also includes disability benefits for qualifying players, is just one component of the benefits and services provided by the NFL and NFLPA to former players. Retirees also have access to the following programs and benefits, among others:

• The NFL Player Care Foundation (PCF), which was created in 2007 in partnership with the NFLPA, Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL Alumni Association, is an independent organization dedicated to helping retired players improve their quality of life. PCF addresses all aspects of life – medical, emotional, financial, social and community, providing programs and assistance in each area. Services provided by the PCF include free cardiovascular and prostate screenings for retirees as well as research grants for studies relating to medical issues that are relevant to NFL retirees.

• Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL legend John Mackey, the 88 Plan is the first program of its kind in the United States. The 88 Plan provides retired players with up to $100,000 per year, an increase provided by the new CBA over the prior $88,000 figure, for medical and custodial care resulting from dementia, Alzheimer’s, ALS and Parkinson’s. Funding for dementia research is also being provided via the plan. More than $18 million has been distributed to affected players and their families through this benefit since its inception in 2007.

• The NFL Former Player Life Improvement Plan is a key component to the retiree benefits provided by the league and the NFLPA via the CBA. The plan includes the NFL Joint Replacement Program, Spine Treatment Program, Neurological Care Program and also provides access to discounted prescription drugs and a supplemental Medicare insurance benefit for qualifying players.

• The NFL introduced a new benefit for its former players, Long Term Care Insurance through Transamerica Life Insurance Company, in March 2011. This valuable program is tailored for eligible former players vested in the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Player Pension Plan between the ages of 50-75.

GOVERNMENT RESEARCH STUDY FINDS NFL PLAYERS LIVE LONGER

The final results from a records-based study of all NFL retirees who played in the NFL for at least five seasons from 1959 through 1988 were recently released by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH, a government research agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compared the rates and causes of death among this group of 3,439 NFL players to what would be expected among men in the general population to see if there was a difference. Among the study’s results, NIOSH found that NFL players had “a much lower rate of death overall” compared to men in the general population. This means that players, on average, are living longer than men in the general population. Likewise, the risk of dying of heart disease was lower compared to the general population. Players in the study also had a much lower rate of cancer-related deaths than the general population.

NEW CANCER CENTER OPENS IN MEMORY OF PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER GENE UPSHAW The GENE UPSHAW MEMORIAL TAHOE FOREST CANCER CENTER in Truckee, California celebrated its grand opening in July. It is named in honor of the late Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw. The newly-opened building is part of the Tahoe Forest Cancer facility and honor Upshaw’s legacy while advancing the Upshaw family’s passion for quality medical care for cancer patients and their relatives. The center is located in Truckee near Lake Tahoe, where Upshaw was a part-time resident for 35 years until his death from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Upshaw played for the Oakland Raiders from 1967-1981 and was a six-time Pro Bowl player. He served as the NFLPA’s executive director from 1983 until his death in 2008.

NEW NFL RULES FOR 2012 A number of playing-rules changes were approved by NFL clubs for the 2012 season. The primary focus of those changes was enhancing player safety.

“We want to make the game safer both for the player being tackled and the player making the tackle,” says NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations RAY ANDERSON (left). “We have no higher priority than player safety.”

Overtime procedures for the preseason and regular season were also adjusted (see page 71) to be in line with the modified sudden-death system that has been in use for the playoffs the past two seasons.

The 2012 rules changes and points of emphasis:

• UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: Two adjustments were made to the unnecessary roughness rule:

o Existing unnecessary roughness rules have been adjusted to expand protections for defensive players with regard to crackback blocks. All players who are protected from crackback blocks will now be considered defenseless players. In addition to contact below the waist, it will be illegal to forcibly block these players in the head or neck area or make forcible contact with the crown or forehead hairline part of the helmet to any part of body. All unnecessary roughness violations will result in a 15-yard penalty.

o Protections for the recipients of blindside blocks have also been clarified. Prior to 2012, a blindside block occurred when the blocker was moving towards his own end line and approached his opponent from behind or from the side. Beginning this season, the definition has been expanded to include situations in which a blocker is moving parallel with his own end line.

• INSTANT REPLAY: Only a replay official can initiate a review of certain turnovers, providing more flexibility to coaches in the use of their challenges while maintaining a healthy game pace. This applies if a play results in an interception, if a fumble or backward pass is recovered by an opponent or goes out of bounds through the end zone, or if a muffed scrimmage kick is recovered by the kicking team (successful onside kick). “We actually think this change may end up being something that could save time,” says NFL Competition Committee Chairman and Atlanta Falcons President/CEO RICH MC KAY. “More turnovers could potentially be reviewed by the referee, but we will never have a situation in which we have a turnover, go to timeout, come back, the teams come to the line of scrimmage and then a coach challenges.”

• TOO MANY MEN IN THE FORMATION: In the interest of competitive fairness, penalties for too many men in the formation have been changed to dead-ball fouls from live-ball infractions that did not prevent the snap. If a 12th player is not in the formation, game officials will permit the snap and the penalty will be enforced after the play. Violations of this rule result in five-yard penalties.

There will also be points of emphasis on several existing rules this season (although the rules themselves have not changed):

• All rules that encourage player safety will continue to be strictly enforced, including unnecessary roughness fouls resulting from blows to the head by offensive and defensive linemen during close line play, horse-collar tackles, roughing the passer and hits on defenseless receivers. The goal is to eliminate these tactics from the game.

Officials will also be instructed to pay close attention to situations in which a runner declares himself down by falling to the ground or kneeling and making no effort to advance the ball, thereby ending the play. A runner who goes to the ground untouched will be considered to have declared himself down if he does not make an immediate attempt to advance. If a runner makes an immediate effort to advance the ball, play will be allowed to continue.

NFL RULES – A CONSTANT EVOLUTION Rule changes have been made throughout the history of the NFL to improve the game, make it more exciting and reduce the risk of injury. Safety rules are one of the most important and effective ways in which the NFL and its owners can help protect the health of players. By helping to identify, promote and enforce safe on-field conduct (in concert with off-the-field education and policies), the league seeks to preserve both the health of players and the integrity of the game. The NFL has established a strong set of rules through the years focused on player safety, designed to promote fair competition while attempting to minimize risk of harm to the player. While many of these rules have focused on reducing contact to the head and neck of players, other changes have protected players from orthopedic and other injuries. The development of a thoughtful and comprehensive set of appropriately protective rules and policies has always been, and continues to be, an evolving process. The NFL continually evaluates how rules can best be integrated into the game to address safety and health issues. Each year the NFL Competition Committee conducts a complete review of player injuries and discusses means by which the NFL can reduce them through the implementation of new rules, or by clarifying or strengthening enforcement of existing rules. Rules the league has established or changed for the protection of players have not only had a positive impact in the NFL, but have subsequently been incorporated at other levels of play, including collegiate, high school and youth programs. Through the NFL’s ongoing partnerships and educational initiatives, the awareness of the importance of rules related to on-field conduct and return-to-play, at all levels and ages, is broadened. To view an interactive timeline of the evolution of rules of the sport, visit www.NFL.com/Evolution. The following provides a brief overview of NFL rule changes focused on protecting player health and safety over the past 30 years: 1982 Hip pads must be covered by the outer uniform. It is illegal for any player to use the crown or top of his helmet against a passer, a receiver in the act of catching a pass, or a runner who is in the grasp of a tackler. 1983 All mandatory player equipment must be designed and made by a professional manufacturer and cannot be altered, except by direction of the team physician. A player who uses a helmet he is not wearing as a weapon shall be ejected. The chop block rule applies to blocks at “thigh or lower.” 1985 During the last two minutes of a half, the play ends when a quarterback kneels or simulates kneeling on the ground. The ball is dead when any runner slides to the ground feet first, thereby declaring himself down. 1986 Blocking below the waist on punts is prohibited during the entire down. The “lure” technique is prohibited. When a tackle shows pass set, a teammate lined up outside him cannot chop a defender who is lined up over the tackle, even if the tackle and defender are not engaged (a “lure”).

http://www.nfl.com/Evolution

1987 An offensive lineman may not clip a defender who, at the snap, is aligned on the line of scrimmage opposite another offensive lineman who is more than one position away, when the defender is responding to the flow of the ball away from the blocker. Example: A tackle cannot clip the nose tackle on a sweep to the opposite side. It is illegal for the kicking team to block below the waist after a free kick or punt has been made. (Low blocks by the receiving team became illegal in 1979). Both teams are prohibited from blocking below the waist after a change of possession. 1989 A defender (approaching from any direction) who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback is prohibited from flagrantly hitting him in the area of the knee(s). 1990 A player who butts, spears, or rams an opponent may be disqualified if the action is flagrant or vicious. 1991 Officials will whistle the play dead whenever a defensive lineman clearly penetrates beyond the neutral zone before the ball is snapped and continues unabated toward the quarterback. 1992 For the first time, the chop block is illegal on some running plays: It is illegal on a running play for an offensive player who is lined up in the backfield at the snap to deliberately block a defensive player in the thigh or lower (chop) if the defensive player is engaged by an offensive player who was on the line of scrimmage at the snap. This action is prohibited whether on or behind the line of scrimmage in an area that extends laterally to the position originally occupied by the tight end on either side. When a defensive player runs forward and leaps in an attempt to block an extra point or field goal, it is a foul only if the leaping player lands on other players. 1993 It is not intentional grounding when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player has a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line). 1994 Defensive players are prohibited from blocking low during a punt, field goal, or extra point attempt (kick), except those defensive players at the snap that are lined up on or inside the normal tight end position. Previously, all players on the defensive team could block low during the field goal or extra point attempt. 1995 Protection for defenseless players is clarified and expanded. Since 1982, a defensive player was prohibited from using the crown or top of his helmet against a passer, a receiver in the act of catching a pass, or a runner who is in the grasp of a tackler. The clarification provided that:

• Defenseless players included a kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air, and a player on the ground at the end of a play.

• Defensive players are prohibited from lowering their heads to make forcible contact with the facemask, or with the “hairline” or forehead part of the helmet, against an opponent, instead of only with the top/crown.

• Defensive players are prohibited from forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head, neck, or face with the helmet or facemask.

• Defensive players are prohibited from launching into a defenseless player in a way that causes the defensive player’s helmet or facemask to forcibly strike the defenseless player’s head, neck, or face, even if the initial contact of the defender’s helmet or facemask is lower than the defenseless player’s neck.

When tackling a passer during or just after throwing a pass, a defensive player is prohibited from unnecessarily and violently throwing him down and landing on top of him with all or most of the defender’s weight.

1996 On running plays, a chop block is prohibited by an offensive player who is aligned more than one position away from the engaged defender when the block occurs away from the flow of the play. A defender cannot be chopped even after he has disengaged from an offensive opponent, if he is still confronting the offensive player. Prohibition of the “lure” technique is applicable all along the offensive line, instead of only to a player outside a tackle. 1998 All face shields must be transparent. 1999 Blocking from behind, at, or below the knees in the clipping zone is prohibited. After a blocking attempt in close line play, a blocker is prohibited from rolling up on the back of a defender’s legs (Unnecessary Roughness). 2002 The chop block technique is illegal on all kicking plays. It is illegal to hit a quarterback helmet-to-helmet any time after a change of possession. 2005 It is illegal to grab the inside collar of the shoulder pads to tackle a runner (“horse-collar tackle”). Unnecessarily running, diving into, or throwing the body against a player who should not have reasonably anticipated such contact by an opponent is unnecessary roughness. Previously, the rule only protected a player who is out of the play. A kicker/punter must not be unnecessarily contacted by the receiving team through the end of the play or until he assumes a distinctly defensive position. An opponent may not unnecessarily initiate helmet-to-helmet contact to the kicker/punter during the kick or during the return. An offensive player who is aligned in the tackle box at the snap and moves to a position outside the box is prohibited from initiating contact on the side or below the waist of an opponent if the blocker is moving toward his own end line and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side (“peel back block”). The near shoulder of the blocker must be in front of his opponent’s body. 2006 Low hits on the quarterback are prohibited when a rushing defender has an opportunity to avoid such contact. Blocks in the back above the waist by the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick are illegal. The definition of a “horse collar tackle” is expanded to include grabbing the inside collar of the jersey. During a field-goal attempt or a try, a defensive player who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap must have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pad. Personal or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls that occur during halftime or during intermission between the fourth period and an overtime period will be penalized on the ensuing kickoff. During a free kick, at least four kicking team players must be on each side of the kicker when the ball is kicked. 2007 A block below the waist against an eligible receiver while the quarterback is in the pocket is a 15-yard penalty instead of a 5-yard penalty (an illegal cut block).

2009 Teams are not permitted to intentionally form a wedge of more than two players on a kickoff return in an attempt to block for the runner. The “bunch” formation on kickoffs is eliminated. The kickoff team must have at least three players outside each hash mark, one of whom must be outside the yard-line number. It is an illegal “blindside” block if the blocker is moving toward his own endline and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side, and the initial force of the contact by the blocker’s helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of an opponent. It is an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if the initial force of the contact by the defender’s helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of the receiver. Clarified rule regarding low hits on passers:

• A defender cannot initiate a roll or lunge and forcibly hit the passer in the knee area or below, even if he is being contacted by another player.

• It is not a foul if the defender swipes, wraps, or grabs a passer in the knee area or below in an attempt to tackle him. 2010 During a field-goal attempt, punt, or try-kick, a defensive team player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. After a half has expired, dead ball personal fouls by either team will be enforced on the succeeding kickoff. A player who has just completed a catch is protected from blows to the head or neck by an opponent who launches. All “defenseless players” are protected from blows to the head delivered by an opponent’s helmet, forearm, or shoulder. Kickers and punters during the kick and return, and quarterbacks after a change of possession, are protected from blows to the head delivered by an opponent’s helmet, forearm, or shoulder, instead of just helmet-to-helmet contact. The ball is declared dead at the spot if a runner’s helmet comes completely off. 2011 The restraining line for the kicking team is moved from the 30- to the 35-yard line in an effort to increase touchbacks. All kicking team players other than the kicker must be lined up no more than five yards behind their restraining line, eliminating the 15-20 yard running “head start” that had become customary for many players. The list of “defenseless players” is expanded to include a kicker/punter during the kick or during the return, a quarterback at any time after a change of possession, and a player who receives a “blindside” block when the blocker is moving toward his own endline and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side. Previously, these players were protected against blows to the head, but not against blows delivered by an opponent with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against other parts of the body. A receiver who has completed a catch is a “defenseless player” until he has had time to protect himself or has clearly become a runner. A receiver/runner is no longer defenseless if he is able to avoid or ward off the impending contact of an opponent. Previously, the receiver who had completed a catch was protected against an opponent who launched and delivered a blow to the receiver’s head. 2012 The list of “defenseless players” is expanded to include defensive players on crackback blocks, making it illegal to hit them in the head or neck area. Players are required to wear protective knee and thigh pads beginning with the 2013 season.

NFL STADIUMS ON GAME DAY – AN EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER!

The quiet anticipation as a deep pass spirals through the air…the roar of the crowd…and watching the replay on a larger-than-life video board. As great as the in-home NFL viewing experience has become, there is nothing like being at an NFL stadium on game day. Delivering the best possible NFL stadium experience to fans is a leaguewide priority. “We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can, from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL (left).

Several positive changes are in store for NFL fans for the 2012 season. For the first time, the “under the hood” video feed will be made available to stadium video boards during instant replay reviews. This will allow fans in the stands to see the same replays the referee is watching in real-time as he views them on the sideline monitor following all booth reviews and coaches challenges. “Fans will see the exact same angles at the exact same time as the referee does,” says Atlanta Falcons President/CEO and NFL Competition Committee Chairman RICH MC KAY. “This is another example of the league listening to its fans about what they want from the in-game experience.” Teams will also be able to make more liberal use of in-stadium “Fan Rituals” – including 12th-man celebrations, fan rallying cries and team flag runners – which are now permitted during pregame, television breaks, quarter breaks and halftime. Here are some of the other ways the NFL is working to enhance the in-stadium experience for fans:

• The NFL is committed to providing a safe, secure and enjoyable atmosphere for fans at all stadiums. The league’s FAN CODE OF CONDUCT, which was instituted in 2008, continues to help accomplish that goal, along with other successful programs at NFL venues that range from stadium security text messaging to responsible drinking campaigns and initiatives.

• NFL RED ZONE channel highlights are available on stadium video boards before and after Sunday afternoon games. NFL RedZone, which whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons to deliver the touchdowns and most exciting moments as they happen, launched in the cable television universe to critical acclaim in 2009 and was integrated into NFL in-stadium entertainment the following season.

• HIGH-DEFINITION VIDEO BOARDS are being installed at venues across the league, with Tennessee’s LP Field and Green Bay’s historic Lambeau Field (right) set to debut state-of-the-art high-definition boards, among other fan-friendly stadium enhancements like improved entrances and more efficient concession stands, in 2012. “Our business is very competitive,” says Packers President MARK MURPHY. “We’re competing with ourselves, in a sense, because TV is so good and we want to make sure the experience in the stadium is unique. It really focuses on technology.” This trend has continued to gather momentum in recent seasons as new video boards have been installed in Baltimore, New England and Washington. Recently-opened facilities like Cowboys Stadium and MetLife Stadium, among others, also feature stunning HD-quality video boards.

• Providing FREE WI-FI INTERNET service to fans in every stadium is a league priority. At least five stadiums are planning to offer complimentary wireless internet to fans in 2012. The NFL continues to embrace other new technologies, including RedZone on NFL Mobile with Verizon cell phones and the availability of in-game video devices at many facilities.

THANK YOU FANS Before the regular season begins, NFL teams will take time to honor fans and youth football players as part of the Thank You Fans campaign and USA Football month. Teams will designate one preseason game as their Thank You Fans game. Now in its second year, the Thank You Fans campaign includes team presentations of customized jerseys to fans and on-field moments between players, owners, coaches and fans. Teams, including the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, will all invite approximately 100 fans to run out of the tunnel pre-game during their Thank You Fans games. Many teams will also air ‘Thank You’ messages from NFL players to fans on the stadium video board. To recognize the sport’s youngest fans, teams will celebrate USA Football Month by inviting youth football leagues from their regions to one preseason game. Many of these youth players will stand on-field with NFL players during the National Anthem and participate in an on-field scrimmage during halftime. This year, USA Football will launch a new program called Heads Up Football during USA Football month. Heads Up Football will offer a comprehensive collection of resources, programs and applications to address player health and safety in youth football. Fans will also be able to participate in a preseason flag contest this year for the first time. As part of the inaugural NFL Fan Flag Challenge, fans will help design the team flags that will help kick off the 93rd NFL season. Fans will submit entries this summer, with their designs including elements representative of their team’s city, community and traditions. Thirty-two fans – one per team – will participate in 2012 NFL Kickoff in New York and will have their design concept incorporated into their team’s flag that will be on display as part of the Kickoff festivities in New York on Wednesday, September 5. Grand prize winners will be chosen from all 32 NFL markets. Through these campaigns, NFL teams will find special ways to recognize the fans that support them all season long.

Matthew Stafford Steve Smith

2012 will mark the third year that the NFL is teaming up with United Way for BACK TO FOOTBALL, a campaign to make youth health and wellness a nationwide priority. From the opening of training camps through Week 1 of the NFL season, in every city and small town across the country, passion for NFL football teams will be on full display. Students will be showcasing their passion for their favorite NFL team on their sleeves and in their schools. In office buildings and local stores across the country, employees will get ready for the first weekend of NFL games by wearing their team’s gear – filled with hope and plenty of debate. The goal of Back to Football is to raise excitement about the start of the NFL season, while shedding light on the importance of youth health and wellness – the focus of the league’s NFL PLAY 60 campaign.

Elementary and middle schools across the country will be encouraged to display their passion for their local NFL team by incorporating football into their classroom activities. Football-themed spelling words in English class, adding up touchdowns and field goals in math and creating their very own jersey in art class are all ways students will help celebrate the return of football. Schools will be encouraged to enter the NFL PLAY 60 Super School contest on NFLRUSH.com by answering essay questions about their NFL pride and commitment to youth health and wellness. One school in each NFL market and two at-large winners will be chosen based on their creativity, passion and commitment to making our next generation of youth the most active and healthy. Those 34 schools will be named NFL PLAY 60 Super Schools and will receive a $10,000 grant to support new physical education equipment and resources in their school, as well as a special visit from their local NFL team.

This season, NFL fans all over the world will be able to engage with Back to Football in a whole new way through a unique, social media platform. Fans will be able to show their team pride on Facebook and earn points for their favorite NFL club. The team that earns the most points by Kickoff Weekend will be awarded an NFL PLAY 60 United Way community refurbishment project. All fans who participate will also have the chance to win NFL prizes, including two tickets to Super Bowl XLVII.

Back to Football is just one way that NFL PLAY 60 will come to life this year. As the league’s primary social responsibility campaign, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of organizations that will continue to partner with the league in 2012: Ad Council, American Heart Association, Cartoon Network, KaBOOM!, Kinect for XBOX 360, National Dairy Council, Nickelodeon, P&G, Quaker, The Cooper Institute, Under Armour, United Way and many others. In addition to national PSAs and online programs, NFL PLAY 60 will be implemented locally as part of the NFL’s in-school, after-school and team-based programs, as all 32 NFL clubs drive local campaign and program efforts.

“We are taking a leadership role in the movement to get youngsters fit,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL (above). “Our players know the importance of staying healthy and it’s important that young fans also understand the value of exercise. NFL PLAY 60 is an important tool in ensuring that children get their necessary daily physical activity as recommended by health and fitness experts.” NFL PLAY 60 is the league’s main corporate social responsibility platform under which several youth health and fitness initiatives fall. Here is a look at some of the league’s efforts in that area:

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Back to Football A celebration of the return of football and a reminder of the importance of youth health and wellness Fuel Up to PLAY 60 School-based, youth teams aimed at getting schools healthy Hometown Huddle Annual league-wide day of service (October 23) NFL FLAG Football Youth football league for boys and girls ages 5-17 NFL PLAY 60 Bus Stops With You Contest

Awards one deserving community with a refurbished play space to allow their youth to be more active and healthy

NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM

Health and fitness assessment tool for schools nationwide

NFL PLAY 60 Super Bowl Contest

Recognizes 34 kids across the country for their efforts to PLAY 60 every day and live a healthy lifestyle with one grand-prize winner being awarded with a unique Super Bowl experience

NFL PLAY 60 Youth Football Festivals

Engages local youth with the game of football and healthy living messaging around key NFL events such as the Draft, Kickoff, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl

NFL Punt, Pass & Kick National skills competition for boys and girls ages 6-15 NFL PLAY 60 Challenge In-school curriculum of NFL PLAY 60 Youth Fitness Zones Playgrounds, gyms and other new places for kids to be active built by the NFL and its 32 clubs

2012 KICKOFF WEEKEND NOTES It’s time to get “Back to Football.” Kickoff Weekend begins on Wednesday, September 5 in primetime on NBC when the defending-champion New York Giants welcome the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC East matchup at MetLife Stadium. It’s when things start to count. Some clubs have excelled in openers. Here is a sampling of notable active NFL Kickoff streaks:

• The Super Bowl XLVI champion NEW YORK GIANTS, who host Dallas in the spotlight Kickoff 2012 game on Wednesday night, have 49 wins in openers, the third-most in NFL history, and 49 victories in home openers, tied with Detroit and Green Bay for the second-most in league annals. The Giants, who travel to Carolina in Week 3, have 48 wins in road openers, the second-most in NFL history, and New York’s 48-34-5 (.585) mark in road openers is the third-best in the league.

• The DALLAS COWBOYS own a 34-17-1 (.663) record on Kickoff Weekend, the top mark in the NFL,

including wins in a record 17 consecutive openers from 1965-81. The Cowboys, who open the season at the New York Giants in the first game of the 2012 season, have the league’s best record in road openers at 32-20 (.615).

• The GREEN BAY PACKERS, who host San Francisco in Week 1, have 52 wins on Kickoff Weekend,

tied with Chicago for the most in league history. Green Bay has won its first regular-season game in each of the past five seasons, the second-longest active streak in the league. The Packers have 49 wins in home openers, tied with Detroit and the New York Giants for the second-most in NFL annals.

Green Bay’s five consecutive wins in home openers tie Washington for the longest such active streak in the NFC. Green Bay travels to Seattle in Week 3 and has 53 wins in road openers, the most in league history. The Packers are 53-36-2 (.596) in road openers, the second-best mark in the NFL, and have won six consecutive road openers, the longest active streak in the league.

• The CHICAGO BEARS, who host Indianapolis on Kickoff Weekend, have 63 wins in home openers, the

most in NFL history. The Bears boast a .716 winning percentage (63-25-4) in home openers, the top mark among NFC teams. Chicago has 52 wins on Kickoff Weekend, tied with Green Bay for the most in league history. The Bears, who visit Green Bay in Week 2, have 43 wins in road openers, the third-most in NFL annals.

• The PITTSBURGH STEELERS, who travel to Denver on Sunday Night Football to kick off the season, have won 40 openers, the most among AFC teams. The Steelers have won eight of their past nine openers. Pittsburgh, which hosts the New York Jets in Week 2, has won nine consecutive home openers, the second-longest active streak in the league.

• The DENVER BRONCOS, who host Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football to begin the season, own a .625

winning percentage (32-19-1) on Kickoff Weekend, the third-best mark in the NFL. Denver is 38-13-1 (.745) all-time in home openers, the best such winning percentage in the NFL.

• The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS have won 15 of their past 17 home openers and boast a

perfect 10-0 record at Gillette Stadium, the longest active winning streak in home openers. The Patriots host Arizona in Week 2 and aim for their 11th consecutive win in a home opener. New England opens the season at Tennessee and the Patriots have won eight consecutive games on Kickoff Weekend, the longest active streak.

• The JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, who begin the season at Minnesota, are 11-6 (.647) on Kickoff

Weekend, the second-best mark in the NFL.

• The BALTIMORE RAVENS, who host Cincinnati on Monday Night Football to start the year, have won six consecutive home openers, the third-longest active streak in the NFL. Baltimore has won four consecutive games on Kickoff Weekend, the third-longest active streak in the league.

• The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, who open the 2012 campaign at Chicago, have 34 victories on Kickoff Weekend,

the second most in the AFC. • The OAKLAND RAIDERS, who host San Diego on Monday Night Football on Kickoff Weekend, boast a .702

winning percentage (36-15-1) in home openers, which ranks third in the NFL.

• The ARIZONA CARDINALS host Seattle on Kickoff Weekend, just the fifth time in the past 25 years the club has

started the year at home. The Cardinals open the season at home in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1986-87.

• The NEW YORK JETS open the season at home against Buffalo, marking just the 15th time in the past

53 openers the Jets have started the year at home.

• HOME SWEET HOME: The DETROIT LIONS, who host St. Louis on Kickoff Weekend, have 49 wins in home openers, tied

for the second-most in NFL history with Green Bay and the New York Giants…the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, who open the season at home against Atlanta, have won 15 of their past 23 home openers…the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, who host Tennessee in Week 2, have won 12 of their past 19 openers at home…the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, who host Detroit in Week 2, have won 14 of their past 19 home openers… and the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, who host Dallas in Week 2, have won eight of their past nine home openers.

• HEAD COACHES: Washington’s MIKE SHANAHAN is 14-4 (.778) on Kickoff Weekend and his 14 wins are the most among active head coaches…in addition to Shanahan, three coaches – BILL BELICHICK (11-6; .647) of New England, TOM COUGHLIN (10-6; .625) of the New York Giants and JEFF FISHER (10-6; .625) of St. Louis – have won at least 10 Kickoff Weekend games and own an opening weekend winning percentage above .600…brothers JOHN HARBAUGH (4-0) of the Ravens and JIM HARBAUGH (1-0) of the 49ers are the only active coaches with perfect records on Kickoff Weekend…and with five consecutive victories on Kickoff Weekend, Green Bay’s MIKE MC CARTHY owns a .833 winning percentage in openers (5-1) to rank first among active head coaches (minimum five games).

HEADLINE GAMES

“This is the NFL,” says MARIO WILLIAMS (right) of the Buffalo Bills, “and new teams win every year. In this league, any team can win on any given Sunday.” With only 16 games per team, every game is important. It’s just that, some weeks, some games seem to be even more important! Following is a 2012 Weeks 1-17 list of “Headline Games,” but far from the only ones:

Week 1 Dallas at NY Giants Wednesday-night opener has Super Bowl champions hosting NFC East foe. Week 2 Chicago at Green Bay NFC North rivals meet for NFL-record 185th time as Packers host Bears. Week 3 New England at Baltimore Rematch of last season’s exciting AFC Championship Game. Week 4 New Orleans at Green Bay MVP Aaron Rodgers faces Off. Player of Year Drew Brees. Week 5 Denver at New England Peyton Manning leads Broncos to face Tom Brady & Patriots. Week 6 NY Giants at San Francisco Rematch of last season’s thrilling NFC Championship Game. Week 7 Cleveland at Indianapolis Rookies Andrew Luck (No. 1, Ind.) & Trent Richardson (No. 3, Cle.) meet. Week 8 New England at St. Louis London’s Wembley Stadium hosts NFL’s sixth regular-season game overseas. Week 9 Carolina at Washington Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III hosts 2011 Off. Rookie of Year Cam Newton. Week 10 NY Giants at Cincinnati Super Bowl champions travel to Cincinnati in game with two 2011 playoff clubs. Week 11 Baltimore at Pittsburgh AFC North rivals meet in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Week 12 Hou at Det/Was at Dal/NE at NYJ Thanksgiving triple-header! Turkey and football, does it get any better? Week 13 Philadelphia at Dallas Showdown between NFC East rivals with possible playoff implications. Week 14 San Diego at Pittsburgh Chargers travel to Pittsburgh to face Steelers in key AFC matchup. Week 15 Seattle at Buffalo Bills host Seahawks in fifth regular-season game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Week 16 Atlanta at Detroit Last year’s NFC Wild Card teams meet with playoffs around the corner. Week 17 16 Division Matchups Final weekend features all division games with playoff berths on the line!

NFL RATCHETS UP THE EXCITEMENT…HOPE IS ALIVE! The 2011 season was full of excitement, but that should be no surprise. Unpredictability is the norm in today’s NFL.

Scoring at a 46-year high…comebacks galore…new teams making the playoffs and winning divisions...consistent teams excelling once again…passing records falling…rookies making their mark…and so much more! “One year to the next, anything is possible,” says San Francisco 49ers quarterback ALEX SMITH (left). “That is the great thing about the NFL.” The NFL is never short on surprises, and the 2011 season was no different: A record 11,356 points were scored, with games averaging 44.4 points, the highest average in 46 seasons (46.1 in 1965).

2011 marked the first season in NFL history in which three different teams scored at least 500 points – Green Bay (560), New Orleans (547) and New England (513). Those three clubs finished with a combined record of 41-7 (.854). A record-tying six teams won 12+ games – Green Bay (15), New England (13), New Orleans (13), San Francisco (13), Baltimore (12) and Pittsburgh (12). Six teams also won at least 12 games in 2003. Last season, six teams – Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Houston, the New York Giants and San Francisco – made the playoffs that were not in the postseason the year before. It marked the 16th consecutive season in which at least five teams (out of 12) accomplished the feat.

SEASON PLAYOFF TEAMS NOT IN PREVIOUS SEASON’S PLAYOFFS 1996 5 (Carolina, Denver, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New England) 1997 5 (Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, New York Giants, Tampa Bay) 1998 5 (Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas, New York Jets) 1999 7 (Detroit, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington) 2000 6 (Baltimore, Denver, New Orleans, New York Giants, Oakland, Philadelphia) 2001 6 (Chicago, Green Bay, New England, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Francisco) 2002 5 (Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New York Giants, Tennessee) 2003 8 (Baltimore, Carolina, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New England, St. Louis, Seattle) 2004 5 (Atlanta, Minnesota, New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Diego) 2005 7 (Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Washington) 2006 7 (Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans, New York Jets, Philadelphia, San Diego) 2007 6 (Green Bay, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Washington) 2008 7 (Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia) 2009 6 (Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, New York Jets) 2010 5 (Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle) 2011 6 (Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York Giants, San Francisco)

The 2012 season promises more of the same. Every team enters the new year with hope! Houston (AFC South) and Denver (AFC West) both rebounded to win their respective divisions after finishing in last place or tied for last in 2010. This marked the NFL-record ninth consecutive season that at least one team went from “worst-to-first” in its division.

2012-13 NFL CALENDAR

September 5, 9-10 Kickoff 2012 January 12-13 Divisional Playoffs October 8-10 NFL Fall Meeting, Chicago, IL January 20 Conference Championships October 16 Trading deadline January 27 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Honolulu, HI (NBC) December 30 Regular season ends February 3 Super Bowl XLVII, New Orleans, LA (CBS) January 5-6 Wild Card Playoffs February 20-26 NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, IN

THE NFL IS SO UNPREDICTABLE THAT IN 2011…

Nothing exhibits the unpredictability of the NFL more than the tightness of NFL games: • “A lot of real close, competitive games come down to the last possession, the last play or one key play right at the end of the

game,” says New England Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK. “The league is very competitive all the way across the board.” Games continued to be thisclose. Nearly 67% were within one score in the fourth quarter:

GAMES DECIDED BY ONE SCORE GAMES WITHIN ONE SCORE

AT ANY POINT IN 4TH QUARTER POINTS GAMES PCT. POINTS GAMES PCT. 8 or Fewer 132 of 256 51.6% 8 or Fewer 171 of 256 66.8% 7 or Fewer 125 of 256 48.8% 7 or Fewer 166 of 256 64.8% 3 or Fewer 50 of 256 19.5% 3 or Fewer 110 of 256 43.0%

• Seven of eight divisions were won by new teams in 2011 – Baltimore, Denver, Green Bay, Houston, New Orleans, the New

York Giants and San Francisco – the most such clubs since realignment in 2002.

• Comebacks were another 2011 theme, with teams erasing large deficits seemingly every week. There were 18 games in which a team overcame a deficit of at least 14 points to win, the most of any season in NFL history. The previous high was 17 (1979, 1983, 1987 and 1996).

• There were six games in which a team trailing by at least 20 points rallied to win, the most such games in any season in NFL history. With comeback wins of 20 points in Week 3 and 24 points in Week 4, the Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to win consecutive games in which it trailed by at least 20 points in each contest.

SUSTAINED SUCCESS Six of the 12 teams in the 2011 playoff field have won at least one Super Bowl since 2000. Those six teams – Baltimore (XXXV), Green Bay (XLV), New England (XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX), New Orleans (XLIV), the New York Giants (XLII and XLVI) and Pittsburgh (XL and XLIII) – have combined to capture 10 of the past 12 Vince Lombardi Trophies, including the Giants’ victory last year. The six teams from last year’s playoffs with at least one Super Bowl championship since 2000:

TEAM YEAR(S) SUPER BOWL(S) Baltimore 2000 XXXV Green Bay 2010 XLV New England 2001, 2003, 2004 XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX New Orleans 2009 XLIV New York Giants 2007, 2011 XLII, XLVI Pittsburgh 2005, 2008 XL, XLIII

DIVISION TITLES? UP FOR GRABS! Unpredictable NFL? It sure seems that way! In the 10 seasons since realignment in 2002, 27 different teams have won division titles. “Our game is so unpredictable, and that’s what fans love,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “The competitiveness is what the fans want.” The teams that have won their divisions in the 10 seasons since realignment in 2002:

TEAM DIVISION TITLES PLAYOFF BERTHS New England 8 8 Indianapolis 7 9 Green Bay 5 7 Philadelphia 5 7 Pittsburgh 5 7 Seattle 5 6 San Diego 5 5 Baltimore 3 6 New York Giants 3 6 New Orleans 3 4 Chicago 3 3 Tampa Bay 3 3 Atlanta 2 5 Dallas 2 4 Denver 2 4 Tennessee 2 4 Carolina 2 3 Cincinnati 2 3 Kansas City 2 3 Minnesota 2 3 Arizona 2 2 San Francisco 2 2 New York Jets 1 5 St. Louis 1 2 Houston 1 1 Miami 1 1 Oakland 1 1

NEW LEADERSHIP ATOP DIVISIONS: In 2011, there were seven new division winners – Baltimore, Denver, Green Bay, Houston, New Orleans, the New York Giants, and San Francisco – the most such clubs since realignment in 2002. “Our goal is to win the Super Bowl championship, and the best way to get there is by winning the division,” said New York Giants head coach TOM COUGHLIN after his team clinched the NFC East title last year en route to a Super Bowl XLVI victory. AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST 2010 New England Pittsburgh Indianapolis Kansas City Philadelphia Chicago Atlanta Seattle 2011 New England Baltimore Houston Denver NY Giants Green Bay New Orleans San Francisco

EXCITING COMEBACKS HIGHLIGHTED IN 2011 The 2011 season was filled with thrilling comebacks. And those comeback victories highlighted the unpredictability of the NFL. “You can never have enough points on the board in the National Football League,” says Atlanta Falcons head coach MIKE SMITH. “Any lead can turn back at any time.” Last season, there were 18 games in which a team overcame a deficit of at least 14 points to win, the most of any season in NFL history.

SEASON 14+ POINT COMEBACK WINS 2011 18 1979 17 1983 17 1987 17 1996 17

Eleven times a team overcame a 17+ point deficit to win in 2011, the most in a single season in NFL history. “It’s because of the heart of the players,” says San Francisco 49ers head coach JIM HARBAUGH about comeback wins. “Just down after down, to never tire mentally and to keep fighting. Don’t flinch. Don’t get scared. You’ve got to trust and believe that you can do it. That’s the way you want them to play.”

There were six games last season in which a team trailing by at least 20 points rallied to win, the most such games in any season in NFL history. In fact, through the first four weeks of the season, there were four games in which a team trailing by at least 20 points came back to win; that tied for the most such games in any season in NFL history. “You’ve got to keep fighting,” says Baltimore Ravens head coach JOHN HARBAUGH, whose team erased a 21-point deficit in a 30-27 victory over Arizona in Week 8. “If you watch around this league, you can come back and win.” In Week 3, both the Buffalo Bills (21 points) and Detroit Lions (20) overcame deficits of at least 20 points to win games. The following week, the Lions (24) and 49ers (20) came back from 20+ point deficits to post victories. That marked the first time in NFL history that two teams have overcome deficits of at least 20 points in consecutive weeks. With comeback victories of 20 points in Week 3 and 24 points in Week 4, the Lions became the first team ever to win consecutive games in which it trailed by at least 20 points in each contest.

“The game’s played for 60 minutes and you have to be able to play all 60,” says Lions head coach JIM SCHWARTZ. “The attitude is to just play your best for four quarters. You’re never going to have every single play go right for you. This is the NFL. There are going to be plays in there every other team is going to make and the other team is going to earn. There are mistakes you’re going to make. We just need to play consistently for four quarters. Nobody plays a perfect game, but we can chase that.” Following are the six games in 2011 in which a team trailing by at least 20 points rallied to win:

WEEK DATE TEAM OPPONENT DEFICIT RESULT 3 9/25/11 Buffalo (bottom left) New England 21 Buffalo, 34-31 3 9/25/11 Detroit Minnesota 20 Detroit, 26-23 (OT) 4 10/2/11 Detroit (top left) Dallas 24 Detroit, 34-30 4 10/2/11 San Francisco Philadelphia 20 San Francisco, 24-23 8 10/30/11 Baltimore (bottom right) Arizona 21 Baltimore, 30-27

17 1/1/12 New England Buffalo 21 New England, 49-21

12-WIN TEAMS

A record-tying six teams won at least 12 games last year – Green Bay (15), New England (13), New Orleans (13), San Francisco (13), Baltimore (12) and Pittsburgh (12). Six teams also won at least 12 games in 2003.

TEAM RECORD ADVANCED TO Green Bay Packers 15-1 Divisional Playoffs New England Patriots 13-3 Super Bowl XLVI New Orleans Saints 13-3 Divisional Playoffs San Francisco 49ers 13-3 NFC Championship Baltimore Ravens 12-4 AFC Championship Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4 Wild Card Playoffs

2012 NFL STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

Team Opponents’ 2011

Pct. & Record Games vs. teams

.500 or better Games vs. 2011 playoff teams

New York Giants .547 140 116 0 11 7 Denver Broncos .543 139 117 0 11 7 Cleveland Browns .527 135 121 0 12 8 Baltimore Ravens .523 134 122 0 12 8 St. Louis Rams .523 134 122 0 9 5 San Diego Chargers .520 133 123 0 11 7 Philadelphia Eagles .516 132 124 0 11 8 Arizona Cardinals .512 131 125 0 9 6 Minnesota Vikings .512 131 125 0 10 6 Carolina Panthers .508 130 126 0 11 6 Dallas Cowboys .504 129 127 0 10 7 New Orleans Saints .504 129 127 0 10 6 Seattle Seahawks .504 129 127 0 10 5 Cincinnati Bengals .500 128 128 0 10 6 Indianapolis Colts .500 128 128 0 9 5 Jacksonville Jaguars .500 128 128 0 11 6 Pittsburgh Steelers .500 128 128 0 12 6 Miami Dolphins .496 127 129 0 10 5 Oakland Raiders .496 127 129 0 9 7 Chicago Bears .492 126 130 0 9 6 Detroit Lions .492 126 130 0 10 5 Kansas City Chiefs .492 126 130 0 11 7 New York Jets .492 126 130 0 8 5 Atlanta Falcons .488 125 131 0 10 5 San Francisco 49ers .488 125 131 0 9 5 Washington Redskins .488 125 131 0 11 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers .484 124 132 0 10 6 Tennessee Titans .480 123 133 0 9 6 Buffalo Bills .473 121 135 0 8 4 Houston Texans .473 121 135 0 9 5 Green Bay Packers .469 120 136 0 10 6 New England Patriots .453 116 140 0 8 4

FROM WORST TO FIRST Competitive balance, one of the hallmarks of the NFL, gives fans hope entering each season. For an NFL-record ninth consecutive season, at least one team has finished in first place in its division the season after finishing in last place. In fact, of the 39 teams in league history to go from “worst-to-first,” 18 of them have done so in the past 11 years (2001-11), including an NFL-record three such teams in 2005 and 2006. With two teams – the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos – accomplishing the feat last season, 2011 marked the fifth time in the past nine years that multiple teams captured a division crown after finishing in last place the year before. “I don’t know if winning the division has really sunk in yet, but it feels good,” said Texans head coach GARY KUBIAK (right) after the club clinched its first division championship in franchise history in Week 14. “It’s an unbelievable credit to everyone in the organization and to everyone that has fought through the hard times, and all the players that fought through today to make it happen.” The teams to go from “worst-to-first” in their division since 2001:

SEASON TEAM RECORD PRIOR SEASON RECORD 2001 Chicago 13-3 5-11 2001 New England** 11-5 5-11 2003 Carolina 11-5 7-9 2003 Kansas City 13-3 8-8* 2004 Atlanta 11-5 5-11 2004 San Diego 12-4 4-12* 2005 Chicago 11-5 5-11 2005 New York Giants 11-5 6-10* 2005 Tampa Bay 11-5 5-11 2006 Baltimore 13-3 6-10* 2006 New Orleans 10-6 3-13 2006 Philadelphia 10-6 6-10 2007 Tampa Bay 9-7 4-12 2008 Miami 11-5 1-15 2009 New Orleans** 13-3 8-8 2010 Kansas City 10-6 4-12 2011 Denver 8-8 4-12 2011 Houston 10-6 6-10*

* Tied for last place ** Won Super Bowl

A CRUCIAL CATCH: NFL SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH The NFL has supported National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a large on-field presence and a national screening-reminder campaign for the past three years as part of the A CRUCIAL CATCH campaign in collaboration with the American Cancer Society (ACS). The league’s goal this year is to build upon the success of A Crucial Catch and deepen engagement with fans. The NFL will focus on enhancing the campaign’s youth and high school program by creating an online system to track local youth team engagement. For the past two years, the NFL and ACS have spread the campaign’s message directly to youth and high school coaches by offering an A Crucial Catch toolkit with participation and fundraising ideas. By building a tracking system, the NFL and ACS will encourage greater communication and commitment around the country. In 2012, there will continue to be special pregame ceremonies, team community outreach and unique pink items on-field and in-stadium during NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend, October 7-8. Teams not playing at home that weekend will have the opportunity to designate another home game in October as their Breast Cancer Awareness Game.

For the entire month of October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – players will sport a special NFL shield/pink ribbon sticker on their helmets. Coaches and team executives will show their support by wearing pink ribbon pins, while game officials will don pins and special ribbon hats. Additional NFL sponsors and partners have joined the league this year in the fight against breast cancer, including new apparel partners New Era and Nike. Special New Era hats with pink accents for players, coaches and sideline personnel will be available as well as Nike gloves, cleats and wristbands. The hats and other pink items will also be sold at all stadiums, on NFLSHOP.com and at select retail locations.

Promotion and support of A Crucial Catch will again include fields featuring pink ribbon shield stencils on the 25-yard lines and special balls with pink ribbon logos will be used throughout each game. The footballs and other pink game-worn items will be auctioned off via NFL Auction (nfl.com/auction), with all proceeds benefitting ACS. The NFL has donated close to $3,000,000 to ACS since the campaign launched and will continue the fundraising effort this year. Funds donated since 2011 will be directed to a new program with ACS to hire Community Health Workers who will work to minimize breast cancer screening disparities in counties throughout the United States. NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend will also be highlighted with features on NFL.com (as well as a dedicated microsite at nfl.com/pink) and NFL Network.

LIVE UNITED

Since 1973, the National Football League and UNITED WAY have worked together to promote the importance of volunteering in local communities while showcasing the community service activities of the NFL, its clubs and players. In doing so, the NFL and United Way have changed the landscape of corporate/non-profit community partnerships. This season marks the 39th anniversary of the partnership and the NFL and its clubs will join United Way on many community platforms, including Back to Football, Hometown Huddle and NFL PLAY 60. The league will also continue to support United Way’s LIVE UNITED campaign, which invites and inspires the public to join a movement to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. For the past several years, the NFL-LIVE UNITED initiative featured players and mascots from each club in an out-of-home advertising campaign that included billboards, bus and phone depots, print and online ads and a national television PSA. Those advertisements will continue to run in 2012, but will be focused on a new program called TEAM NFL. TEAM NFL is a volunteer group of college-educated, civic-minded NFL players from teams across the league who are committed to education opportunities and recruiting one million readers, tutors and mentors. Many TEAM NFL members, including Carolina Panthers quarterback CAM NEWTON, Cleveland Browns wide receiver JOSHUA CRIBBS (above) and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback NNAMDI ASOMUGHA, joined United Way volunteers and youth from around the country at the TEAM NFL Youth Empowerment Summit in Washington, DC this summer to launch the program (below). To learn more about TEAM NFL visit: www.unitedway.org/team-nfl.

http://www.unitedway.org/team-nfl

COMMUNITY MINDED There is no offseason for community service. During their time away from the NFL season, teams – from the owners to the coaches to the staff to the players – spend time giving back to fans and community members in need. Players from across the league came together with team mascots, cheerleaders and Seattle Seahawks head coach PETE CARROLL for a day of fun and fitness at KIPP Raíces Academy in Los Angeles. The school was the winner of the inaugural national NFL PLAY 60 Bus Stops with You Contest. As part of the event, the school received $25,000 in fitness equipment, donated by the NFL, and a special visit from the NFL PLAY 60 bus. “Kids need to get out and be active as part of their day of learning,” said Carroll at the event. “I know for these kids, it’s a big part of their day, and the NFL should be very proud of what they’ve initiated.” Among the current players on board the bus were New York Giants running back AHMAD BRADSHAW, Green Bay Packers wide receiver RANDALL COBB, Oakland Raiders running back DARREN MC FADDEN, Denver Broncos linebacker VON MILLER, Baltimore Ravens tackle MICHAEL OHER and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. WATT. They were joined by NFL Network analyst WILLIE MC GINEST and Pro Football Hall of Fame members MIKE HAYNES, JAMES LOFTON and WARREN MOON, as well as Carroll, Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red, Cleveland Browns mascot Chomps and cheerleaders from the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers. “I love doing events like this with elementary school kids,” added Oher. “I just love seeing the smiles on their faces and their appreciation they have when their role models come visit. They love it and we love it.” The Minnesota Vikings continued a seven-year tradition by hosting 50 Special Olympians from all over Minnesota for a Punt, Pass & Kick clinic. The Special Olympians spent the day with the Vikings players and coaches they admire, and for the Vikings, the admiration was mutual. “It makes you feel special,” said Vikings quarterback CHRISTIAN PONDER (right). “I love being around them. They’re a lot of fun. Just to give them some fun for an hour or so is a blast.” Vikings head coach LESLIE FRAZIER echoed that sentiment. “It’s so special to be able to come and do anything with the Special Olympics,” said Frazier. “These are athletes that really look up to us and really model some of the things they do after us, so for us to take some time to spend with them probably brings us more pleasure than it brings them.”

New Miami Dolphins head coach JOE PHILBIN surprised the team when the players showed up at practice in June, handing them rakes instead of cleats. The full team then headed to Larks Elementary School in Lauderhill, helping to beautify the campus (left). “The kids were excited obviously to see the players and interact with them during the course of the morning,” said Philbin, who organized the surprise project. “We told the team this morning that when I interviewed for the job, I told [owner] STEVE ROSS that we wanted to be a team that represented this organization the right way on and off the field. This gives us a chance to do some things off the field together.”

This summer, the Denver Broncos made a $50,000 donation to assist with relief efforts for the wildfires burning in Colorado. “On behalf of the Denver Broncos, I extend our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by the devastating fires throughout Colorado and the region,” said Broncos owner PAT BOWLEN. “In particular, my thoughts are with those who have lost their homes or live in the evacuation areas. I also would like to commend the dedication of the firefighters, medical personnel, volunteers and the numerous organizations that are working around the clock to respond to these tragedies. Their contributions are heroic, selfless and truly immeasurable. This is our home, and we need to do whatever we can to take care of our neighbors. If at all possible, I encourage our fans to help however they can in providing relief during this time of need.” The donation helped with the creation of the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012, benefiting those affected by Colorado wildfires. These are some of the many ways that the NFL family stays active in its communities. From playground clean-ups to PLAY 60 bus visits to relief efforts, NFL teams find many ways to give back to the fans who support them, no matter what the season.

Supporting the military is part of the fabric of the National Football League. This support takes place both at home and abroad. NFL players and coaches travel overseas to salute the troops on USO tours, and servicemen and women are honored during designated games each season surrounding Veterans Day. The NFL is continuing its long history of honoring veterans and active duty members of the military through its annual SALUTE TO SERVICE campaign. Designed to unify and elevate the extensive military appreciation work of the NFL and its clubs, the NFL’s celebration and support of the military community is highlighted each year in November when all 32 of its member clubs designate home game towards military appreciation. Teams honor service members and veterans with the presentation of colors, special in-game tributes, stadium flyovers and localized military themed activation as part of the Veterans Day Celebration (below left).

This year, the NFL will be implementing a new fundraising initiative during Weeks 10 & 11 surrounding Veterans Day to honor veterans and active duty members of the military. For every point scored during these weeks, the NFL will donate to the league’s key non-profit military support partners: USO, Wounded Warrior Project and the Pat Tillman Foundation. The league will use its new digi-camo ribbon to enhance stadium elements throughout all Salute to Service themed games. End zones will become a clear home to the campaign as each club will have the words “Salute to Service” painted on the back border of the end zone. Other elements will include digi-camo goal-post wraps, club-customized sideline banners and pins.

Each year the NFL is afforded the unique opportunity to showcase the league’s commitment to the military through its special events. With its strong fan base, the league joins with its military support partners to create moments of recognition throughout the season. The NFL is proud of its long lasting ties to the military and looks to incorporate those relationships into its main events on the NFL calendar. NFL DRAFT, SUPER BOWL AND PRO BOWL OUTREACH TO SOLDIERS The NFL has made it an annual tradition to bring military outreach to its marquee off-season event, the NFL Draft. Representatives from each branch of the military were invited by Commissioner ROGER GOODELL to New York for the 2012 Draft, where they were honored on-stage (right) and given the opportunity to announce team selections. Several hundred members of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Navy Seals were in attendance over the course of the three-day event. For decades, the NFL and the military have held a close relationship at the Super Bowl. In front of nearly 160 million viewers, the NFL salutes the military with a unique array of in-game celebrations including the presentation of colors, on-field guests, pregame ceremonies and stadium flyovers. As part of Super Bowl XLVI, NFL players, Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders and team mascot, Blue, visited Camp Atterbury in Columbus, IN, where they met with more than 1,000 soldiers and their families. The event featured autographs, live music, photos, food and beverage and a question and answer session with the players. With its history and large concentration of actively stationed military personnel in Hawaii, the NFL makes an annual commitment to recognize all branches of the military each time the league visits the islands. In 2012, a Pro Bowl practice was held on a military installation for the first time as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam welcomed the players and more than 5,000 service members to watch the action live. Additionally, players, coaches and community volunteers visited service members and their families at three military bases: Schofield Barracks, Kaneohe Bay and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Three hundred and fifty students from military bases throughout the island participated in NFL PLAY 60 Youth Football Festivals featuring football, cheerleading and fitness clinics led by NFL players at Kaneohe Bay Marine Base and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The NFL PLAY 60 Community Blitz also included a visit with Wounded Warriors and an NFL PLAY 60 equipment donation to Schofield Army Barracks.

USAA PARTNERS WITH THE NFL TO HONOR AND THANK THE MILITARY, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES In February, the NFL named Tennessee Titans owner K.S. BUD ADAMS JR. (right) the inaugural recipient of the SALUTE TO SERVICE AWARD presented by USAA, the league’s official military appreciation sponsor. The Salute to Service Award aligns with USAA’s commitment to serving the military and their families, and highlights the NFL’s long history of honoring the armed forces and veterans. As part of the honor, USAA made a $25,000 contribution in Adams’ name to the aid of societies representing all five military branches. A veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving during World War II, Adams’ connection with the military community is a personal one and he has been a strong advocate of all servicemen and women. “The entire NFL community stands together as a proud supporter of our nation’s troops and veterans,” says Adams. “It’s my desire to see the work we’ve done encourage others to take action to support the men and women who make sacrifices daily so that we can live our lives freely.” THE NFL TEAMS WITH THE USO

In 1966, the NFL teamed with the USO and became the first sports organization to send a group of players to Vietnam and the surrounding region, demonstrating the league’s support for American troops. In 2008, Commissioner Goodell became the first sports commissioner to participate in a USO tour (see page 29). In 2012, the NFL again partnered with the USO on two overseas visits. The first (left), held in March, featured one former and four current NFL stars – free agent punter JASON BAKER, former NFL linebacker DHANI JONES, Cleveland Browns center ALEX MACK, San Diego Chargers linebacker TAKEO SPIKES and Kansas City Chiefs tackle ERIC WINSTON. The group visited a number military bases over their seven-day tour to Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.

By starting their days around 6:00 AM and not heading to bed until after midnight, the participants were able to shake thousands of hands, snap photos and sign countless autographs. One common theme on all USO tours is the mutual appreciation and respect that the NFL visitors and troops have for each other. The service members are always excited to meet the gridiron stars, but it is usually the participants themselves who come away in awe.

“I think the most striking thing was watching the day-to-day grind that our troops go through,” says Jones. “These guys are putting in 12-hour shifts, seven days a week with the sole purpose of protecting our country.”

This past July, the NFL completed its fourth annual NFL-USO Coaches Tour. Four active and former NFL coaches – Minnesota Vikings head coach LESLIE FRAZIER, former Cleveland Browns and New York Jets head coach ERIC MANGINI, former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach BILL COWHER and Jets assistant special teams coach/U.S Army veteran BEN KOTWICA – teamed to boost morale and show their appreciation for our deployed service men and women. This was the second USO tour for Cowher, who travelled to Kuwait and Iraq on the first USO/NFL Coaches Tour in 2009 and the first for Frazier and Mangini. Far from a stranger to military operations and the USO, coach Kotwica is a decorated officer who spent seven years in the U.S. Army. Wired to be a soldier, Kotwica became a fighter pilot before deciding to leave the service to fulfill his dream of coaching. The group traveled to remote locations throughout Kuwait and Afghanistan dining with soldiers, greeting military personnel and signing autographs. NFL & PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION SALUTE 2011 MILITARY SCHOLAR In honor of PAT TILLMAN, the late Arizona Cardinals safety who sacrificed his NFL career to enlist in the Army in 2002 and was later killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2004, the NFL has named Navy Petty Officer Third Class D’ONIOR FELTON (right) of Clarksdale, Miss., its second annual NFL-TILLMAN MILITARY SCHOLAR. Felton, who is currently a medical student at George Washington University, developed a passion for medicine while serving in the Navy as a surgical technologist. During that time, she gained the confidence to interact with physicians and set her sights on one day becoming a doctor. Felton earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland while serving on active duty. After discharging in 2005, she completed all the necessary pre-med prerequisites and applied to medical school.

A list of NFL players and coaches with ties to the military:

PLAYER/COACH MILITARY TIE

DB Phillip Adams, Seattle Father served in the Army

DE Jared Allen, Minnesota Grandfather, Ray, served in the Marines; Brother, Scot, is currently serving in the Marine Corps

G/C Eugene Amano, Tennessee Father served in the Navy for 25 years

T Stacy Andrews, Free Agent Brother, Derrick, is a sergeant in the Army and recently finished a term in Kuwait

DE Kentwan Balmer, Washington Cousin is in the Marines

WR Hank Baskett, Free Agent Father spent over 30 years in the Air Force; Mother served as CFO at Air Force Base in Clovis, NM; Brother served in the Army for over 10 years

Offensive assistant Chris Beake, Cleveland Served in the Air Force as a civil engineer officer from 1995-1998

WR Bernard Berrian, Free Agent Parents, Sallie and Joseph, are retired Air Force mechanics

S Robert Blanton, Minnesota Father served in the Air Force

CB Zack Bowman, Minnesota Father, Zackary, is a master sergeant in the Air Force

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Grandfather served in World War II

WR Kenny Britt, Tennessee Sister, Specialist Laura Johnson, serves at Victory Base Camp in Iraq

S C.C. Brown, Free Agent Currently in the National Guard; unit is prepared for Afghanistan if needed

T Jammal Brown, Washington Father, Charles, is retired from the Army

C Jason Brown, Free Agent Brother, Lunsford, served in Iraq and was killed in 2003

CB Brandon Burton, Minnesota Father served in the Army

LB Caleb Campbell, Kansas City Served in the Army

QB David Carr, N.Y. Giants Grandfather served in the Air Force; Brother-in-law is in the Marines

DB Nolan Carroll, Miami Father, Nolan Sr., was a senior master sergeant in the United States Air Force; Mother, Jennifer, retired from the Navy in 1999 as a Lieutenant Commander and is currently Florida Lieutenant Governor

LB Danny Clark, Free Agent Has twin brothers in the armed forces – Jason (Air Force) and Joshua (Marines)

RB Thomas Clayton, Free Agent Father was a sergeant first class in the Army for 25 years

CB Nate Clements, Cincinnati Father served in the Army

Offensive assistant Jim Bob Cooter, Kansas City

Grandfathers Ted and Bobby both served in the Army

Head coach Tom Coughlin, N.Y. Giants Received the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, the third-highest honor within the Department of the Army Civilian Awards scheme that the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a private citizen

Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, Detroit

Father was a sergeant in the Air Force

T Anthony Davis, San Francisco Grandfather served in the Army

OG Chris DeGeare, Minnesota Father served in the Air Force

OL Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay Brother, Alex, is a Specialist-Team Leader in 10th Mountain Division of the Army

General Manager Mark Dominik, Tampa Bay Father, Glenn, was in the Navy; Brother, Todd, was in the Navy; Grandfather, Edward, was in the Army during WWII; Father-in-Law, Forrest, was in the Army

QB Trent Edwards, Philadelphia Father, Andy, flew reconnaissance missions during Vietnam War; Maternal grandfather was awarded Navy Cross for Valor during bombing of Pearl Harbor

FB Jerome Felton, Minnesota Brother, Simon, is in the Army and currently serving in Afghanistan

CB Cortland Finnegan, St. Louis Mother served 20 years in the Army

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Attended Valley Forge (PA) Military Academy after high school; His grandfather was a Lieutenant in the Army who won a purple heart for his service in Korea; Aunt and Uncle, Paul and Sam Jones, are both Lieutenant Colonels in the Army

CB Drayton Florence, Denver Father, Drayton Sr., is a retired Army medic; Sister, Lakisha, is currently serving in the Army

Head coach John Fox, Denver Father was a member of one of the original Navy SEAL teams created by President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s

Head coach Chan Gailey, Buffalo Father, Tom, served in the Marine Corps

K Graham Gano, Washington Has two brothers in the Navy; Father was in the Marines

DE Ben Garland, Denver Recently sworn-in as the public affairs officer in the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard

K Shayne Graham, Houston Father served in the Army in Vietnam

Outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, Green Bay

Served as a Captain for 16 years in the Army Reserve during the off seasons when he was an NFL player

DB Cedric Griffin, Washington Mother served in the Navy; Father served in the Air Force

S Michael Griffin, Tennessee Mother served in the Navy; Father served in the Air Force

QB Robert Griffin III, Washington Parents, Robert and Jacqueline, were both sergeants in the Army

FB Ahmard Hall, Free Agent Served four years in the Marines (3rd Battalion, 8th Marines out of Camp Lejeune, NC), including missions in Kosovo (1999) and Afghanistan (2002)

WR Chad Hall, Philadelphia Attended the Air Force Academy and was a second lieutenant at Hill Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, UT

LB Parys Haralson, San Francisco Grandfather served in the Army

LB Adam Hayward, Tampa Bay Brother and sister served in the Army and cousin was in the Marine Corps

DE Jason Hunter, Denver Father, James, served 25 years in the 82nd Airborne Division in the Armed Forces

G Mike Iupati, San Francisco Brother-in-law is currently serving in the Army

RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Father served in the Marines

WR Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Father, Terrence, was an Army medic

Asst. special teams coach Ben Kotwica, N.Y. Jets

Served in the Army as an Apache helicopter pilot in Iraq

LB Manny Lawson, Cincinnati Father, Donald, served in the Air Force

Head coach Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Father was in the Army, was stationed in Germany

T Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Father was a sergeant first class in the Army

Quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi, New Orleans

Served as an Air Force officer for four years

Def. coordinator/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli, Chicago

Served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam

TE Randy McMichael, San Diego Mother, Angel, was a sergeant in the Army

T Marcus McNeill, Free Agent Mother, Leola, is a Colonel in the Air Force, stationed at Dobbins AFB in Marietta, GA

T Pat McQuistan, Dallas Brother is in the Air Force

CB Will Middleton, Jacksonville Brother, Wyatt, started at S for Navy for four years and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy

DT Roy Miller, Tampa Bay Father and cousin served in the Army

FB Collin Mooney, Tennessee Served three years in the Army and still has a military obligation when his NFL career is over

DE/DT Kyle Moore, Buffalo Father, Joseph, served in the Army for 22 years

RB Sammy Morris, Free Agent Father, Sammy, was an Air Force staff sergeant; Brother, Brien, serves in the Air Force

DE C.J. Mosley, Jacksonville Father, Calvin Mosley Sr., is a retired first master sergeant with the Army

DE Igor Olshansky, Free Agent Father was in the Russian Army; Grandfather fought for the Russian Red Army in World War II

DT Mike Patterson, Philadelphia Uncle was a sergeant at Los Alamitos Army Base

TE Justin Peelle, Free Agent Grandfather is a retired Navy captain

Head coach Joe Philbin, Miami Son, Matthew, recently returned from a one-year deployment in Kuwait

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, Minnesota

Served in the Navy (1991-94) as a helicopter pilot and was stationed in the Persian Gulf

DE Nick Reed, Minnesota Father served in the Navy

Wide receivers coach Frank Reich, Arizona Father, Frank, served in the Marines

Head coach Andy Reid, Philadelphia Father served in the Navy in World War II

Head coach Ron Rivera, Carolina Father was an Army officer; Ron lived in three countries as a child

WR Eddie Royal, San Diego Sister, Christina, served in Iraq as a member of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 104

T Joe Staley, San Francisco Grandfather was in the Navy during the Korean War; Uncle was in the Navy

DT Randy Starks, Miami Father served in the Army for over 20 years, mostly in Germany

Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, Tampa Bay

Graduate of Army Airborne, Ranger and Air Assault schools

Tight ends coach Ricky Thomas, Indianapolis

Father, John, served in the Air Force

CB Charles Tillman, Chicago Father was an Army sergeant; Charles attended 11 schools in 13 years

DE Dave Tollefson, Oakland Brother is a Marine

Offensive line coach Jim Turner, Miami Served in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer from 1990-1994

Head coach Norv Turner, San Diego Father served in the Marines

Quarterbacks coach Ron Turner, Tampa Bay Father served in the Marines

K Lawrence Tynes, N.Y. Giants Father served in the Navy as a Master Chief

WR Roberto Wallace, Miami Father, Roberto, is retired from the U.S. Military

LB DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Wife, Taniqua, served in the Air Force

Defensive line coach Mike Waufle, St. Louis Served in the Marine Corps from 1972-1975

DE Mario Williams, Buffalo Brother-in-law served in the Army and was killed in Iraq

LB Patrick Willis, San Francisco Father was in the National Guard

Owner/President Ralph Wilson, Jr., Buffalo Navy veteran, served in WWII

LB Will Witherspoon, Tennessee Father was in the Air Force

FB Darrel Young, Washington Brother, David, served in the Army as a sergeant

LS Christian Yount, Cleveland Father, James, was a captain in the Marine Corps

K Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Father, Gene, was a paratrooper in the Army and served in Vietnam

In 2008, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell became the first sports commissioner to participate in a USO tour.

From left to right: Saints QB Drew Brees, General David Petraeus, Commissioner Goodell, Giants DE Osi Umenyiora

Robert Griffin III, whose parents were both sergeants in the Army, paused at the Pat Tillman display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the Rookie Symposium

NFL LAUNCHES NEW COMPREHENSIVE TOTAL WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR CURRENT AND FORMER PLAYERS

In July, the National Football League announced a new comprehensive health program for former and current players that will provide additional resources to address personal issues. NFL TOTAL WELLNESS builds upon current NFL programs and services that help members of the NFL family deal with pressing matters such as physical and mental health, family safety, lifestyle and post-career life. The initiative was launched this summer at a meeting at the NFL offices in New York that included Commissioner ROGER GOODELL and DR. DAVID SATCHER, as well as representatives from GRIDIRON GREATS, the NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION and NFL PLAYER ENGAGEMENT. Dr. Satcher, the 16th Surgeon General of the United States and current director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, will broaden his role with the NFL and serve as a mental health advisor. He has conducted 14 mental health forums for NFL retired players and their families the past two years and will facilitate more wellness events across the country. The NFL Total Wellness platform will help empower players to make positive health decisions, promote help-seeking behaviors in connection with behavioral and mental health issues and provide health and safety education for players and all members of their support network, including spouses, parents, and children. The platform will expand on a number of NFL Player Engagement programs that address these issues. Among the program’s services is NFL LIFE LINE, a new free, independent and confidential 24/7/365 phone consultation service and website developed and manned by third-party mental health professionals. NFL Life Line provides support to all members of the NFL family in times of need and will be administrated by a group of national mental health experts which also operate a program for military service members with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In an email to more than 11,000 current and former players, and club and league staff, Commissioner Goodell wrote: “There is no higher priority for the National Football League than the health and wellness of our players. Members of our community are not immune to the challenges that all individuals face. As we enter what promises to be a very exciting 2012 season, we stand by our commitment to the total wellness of our current and former players. This service is here for you.” Leading the NFL Total Wellness program will be NFL executives ROBERT GULLIVER and TROY VINCENT. Gulliver, the NFL’s executive vice president of human resources/chief diversity officer, is a graduate of Cornell University and the Dartmouth College-Tuck School of Business. He held a similar position at Wells Fargo & Company before joining the NFL in 2010. During his tenure at the NFL, he has enhanced the NFL office’s employee assistance and career development programs. Vincent, the vice president of NFL Player Engagement, is a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback and former president of the NFL Players Association (2004-08). He has run the NFL Player Engagement department since joining the league office in 2010. NFL Player Engagement will continue to provide players with advice, insight and practical tools to enable them to thrive at all points of their career development -- as they enter the league, during their playing career and as they transition out of the game. Gulliver and Vincent will establish an advisory board that will include former players and coaches and medical professionals. This board will assist in developing a training program for peer counselors and transition coaches. Peer counselors and transition coaches will focus on post-career education/job training, special Player Engagement programs (Broadcast Boot Camp, Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program), medical and emotional needs and providing information regarding benefit programs and assistance in obtaining benefits. In addition, players will learn about local alumni chapters, youth football, and other opportunities to stay involved with the game. The NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION, a 501 (c) (3) charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of former players, will build upon its national health screening program that provides cardiovascular and prostate evaluations to former players. Pro Football Hall of Fame member DICK BUTKUS will serve as an ambassador for the program, which stresses the importance of heart and prostate health care. The screening program annually visits 10 NFL cities and has served more than 1,000 former players, and in a number of instances, provided lifesaving medical information. Dr. Satcher also will contribute to the program.

NFL PLAYER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS From life as an NFL player to making the transition to the business world, NFL PLAYER ENGAGEMENT aims to provide players with advice, insight and practical tools to thrive at all points of their career development and total wellness. Formerly the NFL Player Development department, the term “Player Engagement” more accurately reflects the spirit of collaboration fostered by the group, led by former player and NFL Vice President of Player Engagement TROY VINCENT. “The goal of Player Engagement is to empower players to reach their highest potential on and off the field,” says Vincent. “We hope to provide them with a 360-degree experience aimed at using football as a catalyst to succeed in all phases of life. Our goal is to become the trusted resource for players and their families, empowering their continuing evolution into well-rounded and productive athlete-citizens.” To reflect the three distinct phases of NFL players’ careers, the Player Engagement team focuses on three areas:

• NFL Prep, aimed at young athletes and future NFL players. • NFL Life, for players currently in the league. • NFL Next, which provides resources for retired players and those transitioning out of the game.

This offseason, 23 current and former players took advantage of one of Player Engagement’s most popular programs, the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp at NFL Films. The program, implemented with the NFL Broadcasting department, covered a wide range of topics with instructors from each of the NFL’s broadcast partners – CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, SiriusXM and Westwood One/Dial Global Radio, plus local radio and TV. Each player served as a live guest host on SiriusXM NFL Radio alongside hosts Rich Gannon, Adam Schein, Tim Ryan, Pat Kirwan and Ross Tucker. Of the 105 players who took part in the Broadcast Boot Camp from 2007-2011, 44 have earned broadcasting jobs as a result of their participation in the program.

“We are excited to continue and expand the Broadcast Boot Camp which for many current and former players has been a springboard to successful careers off the field,” says Vincent. Other former players took advantage of the NFL Business of Music Boot Camp (left) and NFL Pro Hollywood Boot Camp, programs launched this year as NFL Next initiatives to assist players in understanding the essential components and makeup of today’s music and film industries. Over the course of the four-day NFL Business of Music Boot Camp, participants engaged in discussions and interactive workshops covering all contemporary aspects of the music industry including production, artist development, digital music, publishing, artist management, marketing and touring.

“A lot of NFL guys, like who you saw at the boot camp, have outside interests, and music’s a big thing,” says former Pittsburgh Steeler JON DEKKER. “A lot of guys who come up have played guitar or piano. That’s a hobby of theirs, and they appreciate the value of music.” The NFL Pro Hollywood Boot Camp is an intensive film education workshop created to encourage and support current and former NFL players interested in exploring post-sports careers in the motion picture industry. The boot camp is designed to give participants a crash course in the art of movie making and introduce them to the various disciplines and careers in the film business.

“I definitely have a newfound passion for acting and a newly found interest in directing,” says former NFL defensive end COPELAND BRYAN. In addition, NFL Player Engagement leads the annual Rookie Symposium (see below), a multi-day orientation for rookies that emphasizes the sport’s legacy, tradition of character and leadership, as well as social and professional responsibility. For the first time, this year’s event featured a history session at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The core teaching principles of the Rookie Symposium are NFL history, experience, player expectations and professional and social responsibility. The program includes presentations, videos and workshops focused on these principles as well as other topics, including player health and safety, decision making and maintaining positive relationships. Guest speakers at this year’s Rookie Symposium included Philadelphia Eagles quarterback MICHAEL VICK, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback ADAM JONES and retired players including LA VAR ARRINGTON and Pro Football Hall of Famers CARL ELLER and MICHAEL IRVIN. NFL Player Engagement also hosts several other educational programs throughout the year, all designed to reach players at various points in their development as players, businessmen and people. Together with the NCAA, they host an NFL-NCAA Life Skills and Professional Development Summit, which provides personal and professional development resources to student-athletes. Through group and panel discussions, as well as interactive exercises, participants learn about and share topics impacting the personal and professional growth of an athlete. Football players at all levels of the game are making strides not only on the field, but also in their careers and beyond. “There is just one transferrable life skill,” says Vincent. “That’s education.” With the help of NFL Player Engagement, players can stay educated during critical transition periods in their lives.

NFL ROOKIE SYMPOSIUM TEACHES HISTORY, EXPERIENCE, EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITY

The NFL conducted its 15th Rookie Symposium in June, emphasizing the sport’s legacy, tradition of character and leadership, as well as social and professional responsibility. The four-day orientation was held at the Bertram Hotel in Aurora, Ohio and for the first time featured a history session at the nearby Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Led by NFL Vice President of Player Engagement TROY VINCENT, the symposium introduced a new format to facilitate more effective learning by separating the rookies into smaller groups divided by conference. “We have reduced the number of draftees simultaneously attending the symposium to create the most favorable learning environment,” said Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowler and former NFL Players Association president. “Each rookie should leave the symposium with the knowledge and history of where our game began, where it is today, and challenged to make a positive personal impact on the future of our game. The NFL and its clubs are committed to providing players with the best resources to succeed both on and off the field.” The core teaching principles of the Rookie Symposium are NFL history, experience, player expectations and professional and social responsibility. The program includes presentations, videos and workshops focused on these principles as well as other topics, including player health and safety, decision making and maintaining positive relationships. Guest speakers at the Rookie Symposium included current and former players who have experienced a wide-range of success and challenges in their football careers and personal lives. Among the participants were Philadelphia Eagles quarterback MICHAEL VICK (right), Cincinnati Bengals cornerback ADAM JONES, free agent wide receiver TERRELL OWENS and retired players including LA VAR ARRINGTON and Pro Football Hall of Famers CARL ELLER and MICHAEL IRVIN. Vick spoke of his past troubles and urged the players to be accountable for their actions.

“I got that chance to do it again, thanks to (Commissioner) ROGER GOODELL,” Vick said. “Fellas, don’t get it twisted. This man is the real deal. He don’t play. If he asks you a question, answer with honesty. Tell him the truth. If you get into some trouble, be honest, truthful, forthright. Don’t play with this man. He’ll love you to death, but the minute you cross him, he’ll be all the way turned up. “Be accountable for everything you do. You can’t blame anybody else for your actions. The choices that you make each and every day are what shape your life.” Jones credits a meeting with Commissioner Goodell in 2007 as an important moment in his career. The night before he met with Goodell, a meeting that led to a one-year suspension for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy, Jones went to a strip club. “That was probably the stupidest (expletive) decision I ever made in my life,” Jones said. “It was just stupid. I went up to meet the commissioner after some more stuff. The night before I met him, I went out. I didn’t do anything – just went to get something to eat. But I was at a strip club. I stayed there for 10 minutes, and he knew. “I wouldn’t want any of those guys to go through what I’ve gone through. It’s not fun being on the news every day for this mistake or that mistake because your boy did this or you did that.” The messages certainly resonated with the current rookie class. “One of the speakers that really got to me was Michael Vick,” said Dallas Cowboys cornerback MORRIS CLAIBORNE. “Hearing his story – you hear it all the time on TV and you see the shows – but seeing him actually tell his story in person really got to me. It just goes to show you, at any moment, it can be taken away from you.” Added Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle FLETCHER COX, “It makes you think. It’s a good thing guys like that come back and tell you about the mistakes they made. Every decision you make, good or bad, can have a consequence.”

HARRIS POLL: PRO FOOTBALL IS AMERICA’S FAVORITE SPORT BY FAR America’s favorite sport? Once again, professional football claims the top spot! And its popularity keeps growing. For more than four decades, according to The Harris Poll, the NFL has been the most popular sport in America. In its most recent survey (released January 25, 2012), Harris – the pioneer in market research – reveals that pro football is the favorite sport of more than one-third of people (36 percent). That is nearly three times the next favorite sport, with 13 percent of people claiming baseball as their favorite sport. The gap between pro football and baseball has widened in the past year; last year, 31 percent said pro football was their favorite sport while 17 percent chose baseball. In addition, professional football has gained in popularity more than any other sport since 1985 with a 12 percent increase (from 24 to 36 percent). The third favorite sport in the survey is college football at 13 percent, meaning that football is the favorite sport of nearly half of America’s sports fans (49 percent). The five most popular sports according to The Harris Poll 2011 (released January 25, 2012):

RANK SPORT PERCENT 1 Pro Football 36 2 Baseball 13 3 College Football 13 4 Auto Racing 8

T5 Men’s Pro Basketball, Men’s College Basketball, Hockey 5

SURVEY SAYS! The NFL has been recognized as America’s most popular sport for the past 47 years, rated No. 1 by fans in the Harris Poll since 1965. In fact, more people name professional football (36 percent) as their favorite sport than the combined total of the next four professional sports – baseball (13), auto racing (eight), men’s pro basketball (five) and hockey (five). NFL popularity can be measured in other ways as well. For instance:

• NFL games on CBS, FOX and NBC averaged 19.8 million viewers – 113 percent higher than the average primetime

viewership among the four major over-the-air networks (9.3 million average on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC).

• Super Bowl XLVI reached a total audience of 159 million viewers, making it the second most-viewed television show of all time (second to Super Bowl XLV, 163 million), according to Nielsen Media Research. In addition, a record average of 111.3 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLVI – topping last year’s mark of 111 million for Super Bowl XLV.

• According to the 2011 ESPN Sports Poll, the NFL moved up two percentage points to become the favorite sport of 26% of

respondents. Combined with college football (10%), football is the favorite sport of 36% of America’s sports fans.

• The number of NFL video game units sold increased to 5.4 M from 5.2 M according to The NPD Group. The next best-seller, NBA video games, decreased from 4.2 M to 2.1 M during the same time period.

Following is a broader look at the NFL’s popularity:

26%

12% 10% 8%5% 5%

NFL MLB Coll. Football NBA Coll.Basketball

Soccer(unspecified)

America's Favorite Spectator Sport

Source: 2011 ESPN Sports Poll

11.8

4.3 3.3 1.8

NFL NASCAR NBA MLB

Avg. Regular-SeasonNetwork TV HH Ratings

18%14%

10% 9%4%

NFL Soccer(unspecified)

MLB NBA Coll. Football

Hispanics: Favorite Spectator Sport

Source: NFL and Nielsen Media Research 2011-12, Broadcast only Source: 2011 ESPN Sports Poll

14.911.5

1.4 1.0

NFL NBA MLB NASCAR

Avg. Regular-Season Network TV HH Ratings: African-Americans

5,400,000

2,100,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,200,000

NFL NBA FIFA MLB NHL

Video Game Sales (units)

Source: NFL; Nielsen NPOWER 2011-12, Broadcast only Source: The NPD Group (May 2011-April 2012)

NEW ORLEANS TO HOST 10TH SUPER BOWL

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome will host Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013. That will mark the 10th Super Bowl held in New Orleans, tied with South Florida for the most ever. New Orleans last hosted Super Bowl XXXVI (February 3, 2002) when the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams 20-17, giving the Patriots their first Super Bowl title.

While preparations for Super Bowl XLVII started as soon as New Orleans was awarded the bid in May 2009, the clock officially started ticking after Super Bowl XLVI. “We’re ready to show everyone what we mean when we say we’re back and we’re better than ever,” says JAY CICERO, executive director of the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee. “Now that New Orleans is on the clock, we couldn’t be more excited or proud to show off our great city.” New Orleans has always prided itself on its food and music throughout the city and the unique culture and ambiance that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Super Bowl XLVII will take place in between the two weekends of Mardi Gras, turning a two-week party into a three-week celebration.

Super Bowl XLVII will be the first time the NFL’s championship game is played in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. The Superdome, which was used as a shelter for those unable to evacuate, has since undergone repairs and renovations totaling $336 million. “What visitors will see in the Superdome is major, transformational change,” SMG Senior Vice President DOUG THORNTON says. “After Katrina, we had a strategic vision to recreate the building into an ultra-modern stadium that would accomplish numerous objectives, including re-igniting a major economic engine, securing the Saints long-term and returning an icon to the New Orleans skyline.” The community is filled with excitement for Super Bowl XLVII. The New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is recruiting more than 8,000 volunteers to assist with the Super Bowl and related events. “The membership heard from three great cities and had some terrific alternatives,” NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL said of the vote to grant New Orleans Super Bowl XLVII. “But I think this is a great statement about the spirit and people of New Orleans.”

SUPER BOWL HOST CITIES

HOST CITY SUPER BOWLS New Orleans 10* South Florida 10 Los Angeles 7 Tampa Bay 4 San Diego 3 Arizona 2 Atlanta 2 Detroit 2 Houston 2 Indianapolis 1 Jacksonville 1 Minneapolis 1 North Texas 1 Stanford 1

*Includes Super Bowl XLVII

SAME FACES, NEW PLACES

Whether through free agency or trades, this offseason contained big-name switches that may alter the landscape of the 2012 NFL season. Denver brought in four-time MVP and Super Bowl XLI MVP PEYTON MANNING (left), who spent his first 14 seasons in Indianapolis. “I can tell this organization is committed to winning,” says Manning. “This truly is a special football environment and I’m glad to be part of it.” Other familiar faces have joined new teams, including wide receivers VINCENT JACKSON (Tampa Bay) and BRANDON MARSHALL (Chicago), quarterback TIM TEBOW (New York Jets) and defensive end MARIO WILLIAMS (Buffalo).

Some notable players who changed teams this offseason:

PLAYER NEW TEAM 2011 TEAM DE Mark Anderson Buffalo New England RB Michael Bush Chicago Oakland QB Jason Campbell Chicago Oakland TE John Carlson Minnesota Seattle CB Brandon Carr Dallas Kansas City TE Dallas Clark Tampa Bay Indianapolis CB Cortland Finnegan St. Louis Tennessee QB Matt Flynn Seattle Green Bay WR Pierre Garcon Washington Indianapolis CB William Gay Arizona Pittsburgh RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis Cincinnati New England G Ben Grubbs New Orleans Baltimore QB Chad Henne Jacksonville Miami RB Peyton Hillis Kansas City Cleveland WR Vincent Jackson Tampa Bay San Diego RB Brandon Jacobs San Francisco New York Giants LB Bradie James Houston Dallas WR Chad Johnson Miami New England DT Jason Jones Seattle Tennessee S LaRon Landry New York Jets Washington WR Brandon Lloyd New England St. Louis LB Curtis Lofton New Orleans Atlanta G Deuce Lutui Seattle Arizona QB Peyton Manning Denver Indianapolis WR Mario Manningham San Francisco New York Giants WR Brandon Marshall Chicago Miami RB Le'Ron McClain San Diego Kansas City WR Robert Meachem San Diego New Orleans G Carl Nicks Tampa Bay New Orleans QB Kyle Orton Dallas Kansas City DE Juqua Parker Cleveland Philadelphia CB Tracy Porter Denver New Orleans WR Laurent Robinson Jacksonville Dallas LB DeMeco Ryans Philadelphia Houston CB Asante Samuel Atlanta Philadelphia C Jeff Saturday Green Bay Indianapolis WR Steve Smith St. Louis Philadelphia QB Tim Tebow New York Jets Denver RB Mike Tolbert Carolina San Diego DE Mario Williams Buffalo Houston S Madieu Williams Washington San Francisco DE Kamerion Wimbley Tennessee Oakland TE Kellen Winslow Seattle Tampa Bay T Eric Winston Kansas City Houston QB Vince Young Buffalo Philadelphia

Brandon Marshall Vincent Jackson

Mario Williams Tim Tebow

2012 NFL SPECIAL PATCHES & LOGOS

Several NFL franchises will be wearing special patches in 2012. The season also will serve as a remembrance for individuals who have left a lasting legacy with a team. Below are patches and logos that have been created to honor team history or celebrate events this season:

TEAM/EVENT PATCH/DECAL Buffalo Bills Bills “Toronto Series” patch. Houston Texans Tenth (10th) anniversary patch. National Football League All teams will wear a pink ribbon decal on their helmets to support Breast Cancer

Awareness Month in October. National Football League All teams will wear a commemorative Hall of Fame Patch in Weeks 14 and 15. National Football League All teams will wear a camouflage ribbon decal on their helmets to celebrate Salute to

Service games during Weeks 9, 10 and 11. New England Patriots & St. Louis Rams NFL “International Series” patch. Pittsburgh Steelers Eightieth (80th) season patch. San Diego Chargers Memorial helmet decal for Junior Seau.

The Bills will face the Seahawks in the fifth regular-season game to be

played in Toronto.

The Texans will celebrate their 10th anniversary.

All teams will wear this commemorative Pro Football Hall

of Fame patch in Weeks 14 and 15.

All teams will wear a pink ribbon decal on their helmets to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in

October.

The Rams will play host to the Patriots as part of the NFL’s

International Series.

All teams will wear a camouflage ribbon decal on their helmets to

celebrate Salute to Service games in Weeks 9, 10 and 11.

The Steelers will celebrate their 80th season.

The Chargers will honor the memory of

Junior Seau with a helmet decal.

NEW LOGOS FOR 2012 During the offseason, the logos for NFL Media properties changed to more prominently incorporate the NFL shield while also featuring uniform typography and design. Also updated for the 2012 season were the logos for the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. A look at the logo changes for the 2012 season:

Old New

Old New

Old New

Old New

Old New

Old New

Old New

BEST KICKOFF WEEKEND PERFORMANCES, 1933-2011 (2011 Performances in Bold & Italics)

MOST YARDS RUSHING YARDS ATT LG TD O.J. Simpson, Buffalo vs. New England, 9/16/73 250 29 80t 2 Arian Foster, Houston vs. Indianapolis, 9/12/10 231 33 42 3 Michael Turner, Atlanta vs. Detroit, 9/7/08 220 22 66t 2 Eddie George, Tennessee vs. Oakland, 8/31/97 216 35 29t 1 George Rogers, New Orleans vs. St. Louis, 9/4/83 206 24 76t 2 Gerald Riggs, Atlanta vs. New Orleans, 9/2/84 202 35 57 2 Duce Staley, Philadelphia vs. Dallas, 9/3/00 201 26 60 1 Norm Bulaich, Baltimore vs. N.Y. Jets, 9/19/71 198 22 67t 1 Curtis Martin, N.Y. Jets vs. Cincinnati, 9/12/04 196 29 24t 1 Alan Ameche, Baltimore vs. Chicago, 9/25/55 194 21 79t 1

MOST YARDS PASSING YARDS ATT COMP TD INT Norm Van Brocklin, L.A. Rams vs. N.Y. Yanks, 9/28/51 554 41 27 5 2 Tom Brady, New England vs. Miami, 9/12/11 517 48 32 4 1 Dan Marino, Miami vs. New England, 9/4/94 473 42 23 5 1 Kurt Warner, St. Louis vs. Denver, 9/4/00 441 35 25 3 3 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. Houston, 9/12/10 433 57 40 3 0 Cam Newton, Carolina vs. Arizona, 9/11/11 422 37 24 2 1 Drew Bledsoe, New England vs. Miami, 9/4/94 421 51 32 4 2 Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Green Bay, 9/8/11 419 49 32 3 0 Chad Henne, Miami vs. New England, 9/12/11 416 49 30 2 1 Glenn Foley, N.Y. Jets vs. San Francisco, 9/6/98 415 58 30 3 1

MOST YARDS RECEIVING YARDS REC LG TD Frank Clarke, Dallas vs. Washington, 9/16/62 241 10 58t 3 Anquan Boldin, Arizona vs. Detroit, 9/7/03 217 10 71t 2 Hugh Taylor, Washington vs. Philadelphia, 9/28/47 212 8 62t 3 Lance Alworth, San Diego vs. Denver, 9/11/65 211 7 48 1 Irving Fryar, Miami vs. New England, 9/4/94 211 5 54t 3 Wes Chandler, New Orleans vs. Atlanta, 9/2/79 205 6 42 1 Don Maynard, N.Y. Jets vs. Kansas City, 9/15/68 203 8 57t 2 Marty Booker, Chicago vs. Minnesota, 9/8/02 198 8 54 1 Tim Smith, Houston vs. Green Bay, 9/4/83 197 8 47t 1 Bob Hayes, Dallas vs. N.Y. Giants, 9/18/66 195 6 74t 2

Tom Brady Cam Newton

BEST KICKOFF WEEKEND PERFORMANCES, PAST 10 YEARS (2011 Performances in Bold & Italics)

MOST YARDS RUSHING YARDS ATT LG TD Arian Foster, Houston vs. Indianapolis, 9/12/10 231 33 42 3 Michael Turner, Atlanta vs. Detroit, 9/7/08 220 22 66t 2 Curtis Martin, N.Y. Jets vs. Cincinnati, 9/12/04 196 29 24t 1 Adrian Peterson, Minnesota vs. Cleveland, 9/13/09 180 25 64t 3 Chris Brown, Tennessee vs. Jacksonville, 9/9/07 175 19 42 0 Willie Parker, Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee, 9/11/05 161 22 45 1 Quentin Griffin, Denver vs. Kansas City, 9/12/04 156 23 47t 2 Ahman Green, Green Bay vs. Atlanta, 9/8/02 155 27 38 0 Priest Holmes, Kansas City vs. Denver, 9/12/04 151 26 33t 3 Darren McFadden, Oakland vs. Denver, 9/12/11 150 22 47 0

MOST YARDS PASSING YARDS ATT COMP TD INT Tom Brady, New England vs. Miami, 9/12/11 517 48 32 4 1 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. Houston, 9/12/10 433 57 40 3 0 Cam Newton, Carolina vs. Arizona, 9/11/11 422 37 24 2 1 Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Green Bay, 9/8/11 419 49 32 3 0 Chad Henne, Miami vs. New England, 9/12/11 416 49 30 2 1 Tom Brady, New England vs. Buffalo, 9/14/09 378 53 39 2 1 Marc Bulger, St. Louis vs. San Francisco, 9/11/05 362 56 34 2 1 Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. St. Louis, 9/7/08 361 33 21 3 0 Jeff Blake, Arizona vs. Detroit, 9/7/03 358 46 28 3 1 Vinny Testaverde, Dallas vs. Minnesota, 9/12/04 355 50 29 1 0

Darren McFadden Steve Smith Wes Welker

MOST YARDS RECEIVING YARDS REC LG TD Anquan Boldin, Arizona vs. Detroit, 9/7/03 217 10 71t 2 Marty Booker, Chicago vs. Minnesota, 9/8/02 198 8 54 1 Randy Moss, New England vs. N.Y. Jets, 9/9/07 183 9 51t 1 Steve Smith, Carolina vs. Arizona, 9/11/11 178 8 77t 2 Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis vs. Jacksonville, 9/13/09 162 10 39 1 Antwaan Randle El, Washington vs. Miami, 9/9/07 162 5 54 0 Wes Welker, New England vs. Miami, 9/12/11 160 8 99t 2 Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. N.Y. Giants, 9/11/05 155 13 30 1 Laveranues Coles, N.Y. Jets vs. Tennessee, 9/10/06 153 8 41 0 Matt Forté, Chicago vs. Detroit, 9/12/10 151 7 89t 2 Quincy Morgan, Cleveland vs. Kansas City, 9/8/02 151 9 44t 2

THE LAST TIME...

(2011 season games in red) PASSING 500 YARDS, GAME: 517, Tom Brady, New England vs. Miami, September 12, 2011 520, Matthew Stafford, Detroit vs. Green Bay, January 1, 2012 7 TD PASSES, GAME: Joe Kapp, Minnesota vs. Baltimore, September 28, 1969 60 ATTEMPTS, GAME: 61, Colt McCoy, Cleveland vs. Tennessee, October 2, 2011 63, Matthew Stafford, Detroit vs. Chicago, November 13, 2011 20 CONSECUTIVE COMPLETIONS, GAME: 20, Brett Favre, Green Bay vs. Detroit, November 22, 2007 99-YARD TD PASS: Tom Brady to Wes Welker, New England vs. Miami, September 12, 2011 Eli Manning to Victor Cruz, New York Giants vs. New York Jets, December 24, 2011 RECEIVING 3 100-YARD GAMES, SAME TEAM: Philadelphia vs. St. Louis, September 7, 2008 DeSean Jackson, 6-106-0; Greg Lewis, 5-104-0; Hank Baskett, 2-102-1 Arizona vs. New York Jets, September 28, 2008 Boldin, 10-119-1; Breaston, 9-122-0; Fitzgerald, 8-122-0 300 YARDS, GAME: 336, Willie Anderson, L.A. Rams vs. New Orleans, November 26, 1989 (OT) 15 RECEPTIONS, GAME: 16, Wes Welker, New England vs. Buffalo, September 25, 2011 4 TDs, GAME: Randy Moss, New England vs. Buffalo, November 18, 2007 Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. Washington, November 18, 2007 RUSHING 5 TDs, GAME: Clinton Portis, Denver vs. Kansas City, December 7, 2003 4 TDs, GAME: Ronnie Brown, Miami vs. New England, September 21, 2008 Michael Turner, Atlanta vs. Carolina, November 23, 2008 DeAngelo Williams, Carolina vs. Green Bay, November 30, 2008 DeAngelo Williams, Carolina vs. New York Giants, December 21, 2008 (OT) 40 ATTEMPTS, GAME: 40, Shaun Alexander, Seattle vs. Green Bay, November 27, 2006 250 YARDS, GAME: 253, DeMarco Murray, Dallas vs. St. Louis, October 23, 2011 INTERCEPTIONS 4, GAME: DeAngelo Hall, Washington vs. Chicago, October 24, 2010 3, GAME: Kurt Coleman, Philadelphia vs. Washington, October 16, 2011 2 TDs, GAME: David Bowens, Cleveland vs. New Orleans, October 24, 2010 100-YARD TD RETURN: 100, Darrelle Revis, New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins, October 17, 2011 100, Chris Houston, Detroit vs. Denver, October 30, 2011 SCORING 7 PATs, GAME: 8, John Kasay, New Orleans vs. Indianapolis, October 23, 2011 7, Mason Crosby, Green Bay vs. Denver, October 2, 2011 7, Jason Hanson, Detroit vs. Carolina, November 20, 2011 7, John Kasay, New Orleans vs. New York Giants, November 28, 2011 3 FGs, 50 YARDS OR MORE, GAME: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland vs. Houston, October 9, 2011 Josh Scobee, Jacksonville vs. Baltimore, October 24, 2011 60 OR MORE POINTS, GAME, TEAM: New Orleans (62) vs. Indianapolis (7), October 23, 2011 100 OR MORE POINTS, GAME, BOTH TEAMS: 106, Cincinnati (58) vs. Cleveland (48), November 28, 2004 LAST SCORELESS TIE: New York Giants vs. Detroit, November 7, 1943 KICKOFF RETURNS 2 TDs, GAME: Leon Washington, Seattle vs. San Diego, September 26, 2010 2 CONSECUTIVE TDs, BOTH TEAMS, GAME: New England vs. Oakland, December 14, 2008 90 YARDS, NO TD, GAME: 92, Jerious Norwood, Atlanta vs. St. Louis, December 28, 2008 PUNT RETURNS 2 TDs, GAME: Reggie Bush, New Orleans vs. Minnesota, October 6, 2008

STARTING RECORDS OF ACTIVE NFL QUARTERBACKS (Minimum 10 reg. season starts)

Regular Season Postseason QUARTERBACK W L T PCT. W L PCT. Tom Brady 124 35 0 .780 16 6 .727 Ben Roethlisberger 80 33 0 .708 10 4 .714 Matt Ryan 43 19 0 .694 0 3 .000 Joe Flacco 44 20 0 .688 5 4 .556 Peyton Manning 141 67 0 .678 9 10 .474 Aaron Rodgers 41 21 0 .661 4 2 .667 Philip Rivers 63 33 0 .656 3 4 .429 John Skelton 7 4 0 .636 --- --- --- Vince Young 31 19 0 .620 0 1 .000 Donovan McNabb 98 62 1 .612 9 7 .563 Tony Romo 47 30 0 .610 1 3 .250 Drew Brees 92 61 0 .601 5 4 .556 Michael Vick 53 37 1 .588 2 3 .400 Jake Delhomme 56 40 0 .583 5 3 .625 Eli Manning 69 50 0 .580 8 3 .727 Mark Sanchez 27 20 0 .574 4 2 .667 Tim Tebow 8 6 0 .571 1 1 .500 Andy Dalton 9 7 0 .563 0 1 .000 Rex Grossman 25 22 0 .532 2 2 .500 Matt Hasselbeck 78 69 0 .531 5 6 .455 Jay Cutler 41 37 0 .526 1 1 .500 Matt Moore 13 12 0 .520 --- --- --- Matt Cassel 28 26 0 .519 0 1 .000 Mark Brunell 78 73 0 .517 5 5 .500 David Garrard 39 37 0 .513 1 1 .500 Kyle Orton 35 34 0 .507 --- --- --- Jeff Garcia 58 58 0 .500 2 4 .333 Shaun Hill 13 13 0 .500 --- --- --- Tarvaris Jackson 17 17 0 .500 0 1 .000 Sage Rosenfels 6 6 0 .500 --- --- --- Byron Leftwich 24 25 0 .490 0 1 .000 Matt Schaub 32 34 0 .485 --- --- --- Alex Smith 32 34 0 .485 1 1 .500 Carson Palmer 50 56 0 .472 0 2 .000 Charlie Batch 24 29 0 .453 --- --- --- Kerry Collins 81 99 0 .450 3 4 .429 Matthew Stafford 13 16 0 .448 0 1 .000 A.J. Feeley 8 10 0 .444 --- --- --- Matt Leinart 8 10 0 .444 --- --- --- Jason Campbell 31 39 0 .443 --- --- --- Kyle Boller 20 27 0 .426 --- --- --- Josh Freeman 17 23 0 .425 --- --- --- Trent Edwards 14 19 0 .424 --- --- --- Chad Henne 13 18 0 .419 --- --- --- Derek Anderson 18 25 0 .419 --- --- --- Josh McCown 13 20 0 .394 --- --- --- Kevin Kolb 6 10 0 .375 --- --- --- Cam Newton 6 10 0 .375 --- --- --- Ryan Fitzpatrick 18 33 1 .356 --- --- --- Kellen Clemens 4 8 0 .333 --- --- --- Chris Redman 4 8 0 .333 --- --- --- Sam Bradford 8 18 0 .308 --- --- --- J.P. Losman 10 23 0 .303 --- --- --- Bruce Gradkowski 6 14 0 .300 --- --- --- Billy Volek 3 7 0 .300 --- --- --- David Carr 23 56 0 .291 --- --- --- Blaine Gabbert 4 10 0 .286 --- --- --- Colt McCoy 6 15 0 .286 --- --- --- Seneca Wallace 6 15 0 .286 --- --- --- Brady Quinn 3 9 0 .250 --- --- --- Christian Ponder 2 8 0 .200 --- --- --- Dan Orlovsky 2 10 0 .167 --- --- --- Jimmy Clausen 1 9 0 .100 --- --- --- Tyler Thigpen 1 11 0 .083 --- --- ---

IT’S LONDON, YEAR 6!

The NFL’s INTERNATIONAL SERIES of regular-season games will return to the United Kingdom in 2012 when the St. Louis Rams host the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 28 at London’s Wembley Stadium. “The London series has continued to be very, very well received,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “We expect that we will be evaluating some time later this year expanding that series next year to more than one game. We believe that market is going to continue to grow for us.”

The contest will mark the sixth consecutive year of an NFL regular-season game at Wembley Stadium, part of a multi-year commitment to play a limited number of NFL regular-season games in the U.K. on an annual basis. In 2011, the Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-18 before a crowd of 76,981 (right). The Rams will head to London with new head coach JEFF FISHER leading the team. “This is a tremendous honor for our franchise, the city of St. Louis and our fans throughout the world,” says Rams owner E. STANLEY KROENKE. “We are excited about the opportunity to reach new audiences globally. This is a great platform to showcase the city of St. Louis to London and the U.K. We’ve seen firsthand the increased popularity of the NFL not only in London but throughout Europe. To play a role in that growth will be incredible and is a testament to the many good things happening not only in the NFL but also in the St. Louis Rams organization.”

The defending AFC champion Patriots are no stranger to the international scene, having defeated the Buccaneers in London in 2009. “We are honored to be selected for this year’s game and eager to return,” says Patriots Chairman and CEO ROBERT KRAFT. “We had such a great experience during our last visit to London. We are proud to have great support from our fans when we are on the road. The United Kingdom is home to some of our most passionate Patriots fans, including the UKPatriots, who are among our most active fan clubs overall, not just overseas. We look forward to another memorable experience.”

The International Series began on October 28, 2007, when the New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins 13-10 en route to a victory in Super Bowl XLII.

A look at what some of the players thought about playing in London:

PLAYER, TEAM COMMENT CB Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay “Preparation was outstanding. It was a regular game week. We had a great

couple of days out in Surrey. When we got to London, it was business as usual. It felt like a normal road trip for us.”

QB Tom Brady, New England “I think this experience will serve us well down the road. There are a lot of new players, and it’s nice to come together and experience something like this. It’s a unique bonding experience for all of us.”

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans “There are 32 teams in the NFL. The Saints and Chargers were the third and fourth teams to represent the NFL in London. That speaks volumes and I am honored to have been there.”

WR Brandon Lloyd, New England (with Denver in ’10)

“I thought it was an honor to play in Wembley Stadium. I think it was really cool. I loved the fact that the support was strong and seems like the fans are very knowledgeable. It was definitely an exciting atmosphere.”

QB Eli Manning, New York Giants “The British fans were great. I hope the NFL continues to play games here. I would recommend playing here to any team. It felt like playing a normal regular-season game, but just in a different country.”

Head coach Lovie Smith, Chicago “We heard the fans from start to finish. We have gotten a great response from our fans over here. I was on board all along. I felt like the Chicago Bears, since we’re one of the founding franchises, should be one of the teams going over and showing our brand of football internationally.”

CB Shawntae Spencer, Oakland (with San Francisco in ’10)

“We’ve got to get an NFL team over here. The energy was unbelievable. There were a few times when Denver made a lot of good plays, big plays, and the fans stayed with it. The wave, the fans, the flags, it was just a lot of energy.”

…MEANWHILE, IN TORONTO “Closer to home,” the Buffalo Bills will continue to carry the NFL’s international mantle northward to Toronto when they play the Seattle Seahawks on December 16 at the Rogers Centre. For the Seahawks, this year’s game will mark their first trip to Toronto and first international regular-season game. In 2007, NFL owners unanimously approved a plan for the Bills to play a number of preseason and regular-season games in Toronto – Canada’s largest city – each year from 2008-12. The Bills will cross Lake Ontario to play the Seahawks for the last game under this plan. However, the NFL’s International Committee approved a five-year extension that will allow the Bills to continue playing games in Toronto through 2017.

“The International Committee’s decision to approve the continuation of our games in Toronto is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to regionalize our franchise,” says Bills CEO RUSS BRANDON. “As we have stated on many occasions, the regionalization process remains vital to keeping our franchise strong in Western New York. We are continuing our discussions with Rogers Communications on a new deal and remain optimistic that we can come to an agreement in the near future.”

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED & NOTES ON 2012 TRAVEL (2012 regular season)

1. Oakland 28,692 17. New Orleans 12,830 2. Seattle 26,200 18. Pittsburgh 11,972 3. San Diego 25,766 19. Chicago 11,862 4. San Francisco 24,110 20. Philadelphia 11,730 5. St. Louis 23,570 21. New York Giants 11,634 6. Miami 22,048 22. Tennessee 11,468 7. New England 19,820 23. Cleveland 11,422 8. Arizona 18,992 24. Baltimore 11,142 9. Dallas 18,486 25. Carolina 10,280

10. Denver 18,470 26. Minnesota 9,944 11. Houston 16,396 27. Cincinnati 9,688 12. Buffalo 16,172 28. Atlanta 9,510 13. Jacksonville 15,296 29. Detroit 8,792 14. Tampa Bay 15,068 30. Indianapolis 8,246 15. Kansas City 14,842 31. Washington 7,144 16. New York Jets 13,636 32. Green Bay 5,774

• The total distance traveled by all teams during the regular season will be 481,002 miles.

• The teams of the NFC West (92,872) have the highest combined mileage total of all divisions.

• The remaining division totals ranking from highest to lowest are the AFC West (87,770), AFC East (71,676), AFC South (51,406), NFC East (48,994), NFC South (47,688), AFC North (44,224) and NFC North (36,372).

• Three teams – the OAKLAND RAIDERS (28,692), SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (26,200) and SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (25,766) – will “travel around the world” at least once. A trip around the globe is 25,000 miles.

HISPANICS MAKING THEIR MARK (HACIENDO SU MARCA) ON THE NFL! Every year, Hispanic players are playing more of a role in the NFL. Following are some examples:

• Super Bowl XLVI featured two Hispanic-American talents in New York Giants wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ and New England Patriots tight end AARON HERNANDEZ (left).

“I think it’s great for the Puerto Rican community,” says Hernandez, who had a team-high eight receptions in Super Bowl XLVI. “There aren’t many Puerto Ricans in the NFL, but having some in the Super Bowl is a great deal.”

Cruz started the 2011 season as the team’s fourth wide receiver but worked his way into the lineup and quickly became an integral addition to New York’s offense. He set a franchise record with 1,536 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns with most of his end zone appearances featuring his signature salsa dance. At this year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, Cruz showcased his salsa dancing through the streets of New York City, and his touchdown celebration is now part of EA Sports Madden NFL 13.

Cruz capped off his remarkable season by making a trip to the White House with his Giants teammates as the club was honored for its Super Bowl victory.

“This whole day makes me think about how much I’ve grown, not only as an athlete but as a person,” said Cruz. “To be here and to shake hands with the president, to be here with a Super Bowl ring on at the White House, it ranks up there as one of the best moments I’ve ever had.”

• Chicago Bears center ROBERTO GARZA (right) is well-known in the Chicago community for his philanthropic efforts. This past March, Garza was a special guest at “Care to Cure: A Sunday Brunch,” an event sponsored by the University of Chicago’s Kovler Diabetes Center. Garza, whose grandfather suffers from diabetes, discussed how the community can work together to stop the disease. Additionally, during every offseason, Garza takes the opportunity to share his passion for the game with youth. Pairing up with former Bears defensive end Alex Brown, the two hosted a football camp in July to teach football fundamentals. Garza was also honored by the Texas A&M-Kingsville athletic department for his induction into the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor this summer. “Playing in the NFL today and looking back on all those years, it all happened because of the opportunity I had to play college football,” Garza says. “Whenever you’re faced with an opportunity, you’ve got to step up and take advantage.”

• The NFL has partnered with Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle ANTHONY MUÑOZ to host NFL PLAY 60 Character Camps this offseason. The two-day non-contact football camps will be hosted in six NFL markets this summer. Each site will welcome 300 predominantly-Hispanic boys and girls ages 9-13 with little or no football experience. The program will also work in collaboration with USA Football and their FUNdamentals curriculum, which introduces children to football by teaching basic skills in a non-contact setting.

The NFL will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during Week 3 of the 2012 season. The NFL and Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) will again partner to present the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards during the 2012 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market. A national spotlight will shine on the NFL’s celebration during Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football. The New England Patriots face the Baltimore Ravens in primetime on Sunday, September 23 and the Green Bay Packers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night, September 24. The NFL’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month dates back to 2002 when then-Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE made it a league priority to serve the Hispanic market, forming an internal task force of league and club executives to analyze the NFL’s activities, consult with leaders in the Hispanic-American community, and recommend a comprehensive approach toward the future. The initiative has continued to grow annually since then.

A list of some current Hispanic NFL players:

PLAYER POSITION TEAM PLAYER POSITION TEAM Javier Arenas CB Kansas City Ziggy Hood DE Pittsburgh Jason Babin DE Philadelphia Juaquin Iglesias WR Houston Eddy Carmona K Oakland Knowshon Moreno RB Denver Jonathan Casillas LB New Orleans Kyle Newhall-Caballero QB Oakland Shaun Cody T Houston Manuel Ramirez G Denver Willie Colon T Pittsburgh Evan Rodriguez TE Chicago Victor Cruz WR New York Giants Tony Romo QB Dallas Brian De La Puente G New Orleans Greg Salas WR St. Louis Ray Dominguez T Green Bay Mark Sanchez QB New York Jets Arian Foster RB Houston Andrew Sendejo S Minnesota Antonio Garay DT San Diego John Skelton QB Arizona Roberto Garza C Chicago Sean Smith CB Miami David Gonzalez G San Francisco Anthony Toribio DT Kansas City Tony Gonzalez TE Atlanta Jose Valdez T St. Louis Jose Gumbs DB New Orleans Louis Vasquez G San Diego Joselio Hanson CB Philadelphia Fernando Velasco C Tennessee Aaron Hernandez TE New England Roberto Wallace WR Miami

Javier Arenas Greg Salas Mark Sanchez John Skelton Fernando Velasco

NFL DRAFT GOES INTERNATIONAL

As the NFL continues to gain in popularity across the globe, more players are being developed outside the United States. This year, five international players were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.

New York Giants defensive tackle MARKUS KUHN, who was selected in the seventh round (No. 239 overall), was born in Germany and is the third European-trained player to be drafted by an NFL team (Sebastian Vollmer, Germany; New England, 2009, Round 2, 58th overall and Romeo Bandison, Netherlands; Cleveland, 1994, Round 3, 75th overall).

“It was only six years ago that my father and I were traveling the East Coast with a DVD highlight tape, asking small colleges like Liberty University if they wanted to give me a chance,” says Kuhn. “To be standing here now and talking about being just the second native of Germany to be drafted in the NFL is pretty remarkable.” Oakland Raiders defensive end JACK CRAWFORD (left), who was selected in the fifth round (No. 158), grew up watching the Raiders on TV in England.

“I haven’t spent that much time in California, so I’m excited to get out there,” says Crawford. “I’m excited to start the football process and getting to experience Oakland and the California lifestyle.” A look at the five international players who were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft: PLAYER, TEAM COUNTRY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL ROUND/SELECTION DE Christo Bilukidi, Oakland Angola Georgia State St. Patrick’s (Ontario, Canada) Round 6, 189th overall C Philip Blake, Denver Canada Baylor Carr Catholic (Toronto, Canada) Round 4, 108th overall DE Jack Crawford, Oakland England Penn State St. Augustine (Richland, NJ) Round 5, 158th overall DE Tyrone Crawford, Dallas Canada Boise State Catholic Central (Ontario, Canada) Round 3, 81st overall DT Markus Kuhn, NY Giants Germany North Carolina State Weinheim (Weinheim, Germany) Round 7, 239th overall

INTERNATIONAL FEEL While the NFL continues to grow in popularity across the globe, international players are making an impact on the field. Oakland Raiders defensive end CHRISTO BILUKIDI (right) was a sixth-round selection (No. 189 overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. A native of Angola, Bilukidi lived in France and Brazil before his family moved to Canada. He was a basketball player before he tried football for the first time during his senior year in high school. He went on to play at Eastern Arizona College and then at Georgia State. “I worked very hard at it, and after my junior year I realized I had a chance to play in the NFL if I kept listening to my coaches and kept getting stronger,” Bilukidi says. “Because of my athleticism and my height and my size, I’ll be able to do whatever anybody else on the defensive line is doing. I’m a fast learner and I’m athletic at the same time. I am just taking the first steps and doing everything I can to be successful.” Some of the foreign-born players in the NFL:

COUNTRY PLAYER(S) AMERICAN SAMOA DE Jonathan Fanene, NE; G Mike Iupati, SF; LB Rey Maualuga, Cin; DT Domata Peko, Cin; DE

Ropati Pitoitua, KC; DT Isaac Sopoaga, SF; DE Daniel Te’o-Neisheim, TB ANGOLA DE Christo Bilukidi, Oak AUSTRALIA P Ben Graham, Det; P Sav Rocca, Was BARBADOS T Ramon Harewood, Bal CAMEROON LB Moise Fokou, Phi CANADA C Phillip Blake, Den; WR Nate Burleson, Det; DE Tyrone Crawford, Dal; LB Cory Greenwood, KC;

T Tyler Holmes, Min; LS L.P. Ladouceur, Dal; G Austin Pasztor, Min; C Moe Petrus, TB; P Jon Ryan, Sea; K Shaun Suisham, Pit; G Danny Watkins, Phi

CZECH REPUBLIC T Will Svitek, Atl ENGLAND DE Jack Crawford, Oak; DE Osi Umenyiora, NYG ESTONIA T Michael Roos, Ten GERMANY CB Brandon Burton, Min; FB Jerome Felton, Min; WR Domenik Hixon, NYG; CB Mike Jenkins,

Dal; DT Markus Kuhn, NYG; C Doug Legursky, Pit; DE Kyle Moore, Buf; DT D’Anthony Smith, Jax; T Sebastian Vollmer, NE

GHANA DB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Dal GREECE C William Vlachos, Ten HAITI T Gosder Cherilus, Det; T Vlad Ducasse, NYJ; DB Jean Fanor, KC; DE Junior Galette, NO ITALY K Giorgio Tavecchio, SF JAMAICA S Atari Bigby, SD; S Patrick Chung, NE; T Oniel Cousins, Cle; T Orlando Franklin, Den; DE

Vaughn Martin, SD; DE Ryan McBean, Bal JAPAN QB Robert Griffin III, Was LIBERIA LB Tamba Hali, KC; DE Jonathan Massaquoi, Atl; CB Ashton Youboty, Jax MEXICO K Eddy Carmona, Oak NEW ZEALAND DT Stephen Paea, Chi NIGERIA LB Solomon Elimimian, Min; DT Israel Idonije, Chi; DT Amobi Okoye, TB; T Jeff Otah, NYJ PANAMA WR Roberto Wallace, Mia PHILLIPINES C Eugene Amano, Ten; QB Tim Tebow, NYJ POLAND K Sebastian Janikowski, Oak ROMANIA P Zoltan Mesko, NE SENEGAL WR Elvis Akpla, Phi SCOTLAND K Lawrence Tynes, NYG; K Graham Gano, Was SIERRA LEONE S Madieu Williams, Was SOUTH AFRICA LB Erza Butler, NO SOUTH KOREA DL Kyle Love, NE TONGA DT Ma’ake Kemoeatu, Bal; G Deuce Lutui, Sea TRINIDAD DL Kade Weston, Pit VIRGIN ISLANDS DT Linval Joseph, NYG

NFL ON TV IN ’12

Football fans tuned into the 2011 NFL season in big numbers across all NFL broadcast partners. According to Nielsen, the 2011 regular season reached more than 200 million unique viewers and NFL games continued to more than double broadcast primetime viewership (19.8 million vs. 9.3 million). After a dominating year, the same broadcast partners are back to bring fans the 93rd season of NFL football, with a slightly different look.

• The season begins with the NFL’s annual primetime kickoff game, but this year it will be on Wednesday night (September 5) when the Super Bowl champion New York Giants host the division rival Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium (NBC 8:30 PM ET). This marks the 10th anniversary of the first Kickoff game (San Francisco 49ers at Giants, 2002) and the ninth consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium in primetime.

• NBC will broadcast 19 games in primetime including, for the first time, the final game of the Thanksgiving tripleheader. This year’s contest features an AFC East matchup as the New York Jets host the New England Patriots (Thursday, November 22, 8:20 PM ET).

• NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package has expanded and will now feature 13 games from Weeks 2-15

(excluding Week 12 on Thanksgiving night).

• The kickoff time for Sunday late afternoon doubleheader games on CBS and FOX will be moved from 4:15 PM ET to 4:25 PM ET. The 4:05 PM ET kickoff time for games not on the doubleheader network will remain unchanged.

A look at the NFL on TV in 2012:

• CBS’ 53rd season of NFL coverage will feature a total of 105 games during its 17 weeks of regular-season coverage of the American Football Conference, a postseason consisting of an AFC Wild Card playoff game, two Divisional playoff games and the AFC Championship Game, concluding with Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013 from New Orleans. This is the 18th time CBS will broadcast the Super Bowl and the fifth from New Orleans. In Week 1, among CBS’ games will be the Indianapolis Colts visiting the Chicago Bears on Sunday, September 9 at 1:00 PM ET. In Week 8, THE NFL ON CBS will travel across the Atlantic Ocean to cover the New England Patriots-St. Louis Rams game live from Wembley Stadium in London, England (Sunday, October 28 at 1:00 PM ET). CBS will broadcast the first game of the Thanksgiving Day tripleheader when the Houston Texans visit the Detroit Lions on Thursday, November 22 at 12:30 PM ET.

• FOX will bring back Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback TROY AIKMAN and JOE BUCK for their 11th year in the booth together and will kick off its 19th season covering the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Green Bay Packers on September 9 (4:25 PM ET). Viewers can look forward to many exciting matchups on the NFL on FOX schedule including two recent Super Bowl champions facing off on Sunday, September 30 when the Packers host the New Orleans Saints in Week 4 (4:25 PM ET). The Super Bowl champions headline Week 6 when the Giants travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in a highly anticipated rematch of the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, October 14 (4:25 PM ET). On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 22, 4:15 PM ET), the Washington Redskins will visit the Dallas Cowboys in a key NFC East showdown.

• The combination of CRIS COLLINSWORTH and AL MICHAELS will return for a fourth season of NBC’s Sunday Night Football, the No. 1 primetime show on television. They’ll be joined by MICHELE TAFOYA, who enters her second season as NBC’s sideline reporter. The team will announce the 2012 Kickoff contest on Wednesday, September 5 (8:30 PM ET), featuring the Super Bowl champion New York Giants at home against the Dallas Cowboys, and the opening Sunday Night Football game, when Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch of last year’s AFC Wild Card game (8:20 PM ET). New to the Football Night in America team this year is former Steelers wide receiver HINES WARD, who recently retired after a 14-year career in Pittsburgh.

“I am really excited!” says Ward. “It's not every day that you get the chance to work for a powerhouse like the NBC Sports Group. It is a big honor for me and I am looking forward to making the most of this great opportunity.”

• ESPN will unveil a familiar but new commentator team – MIKE TIRICO and JON GRUDEN – with sideline reporter LISA SALTERS for the 44th season of Monday Night Football. ESPN’s 17-game slate begins on Kickoff Weekend with a pair of AFC divisional rivalries when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Baltimore Ravens (7:00 PM ET) and the Oakland Raiders host the San Diego Chargers (10:15 PM ET) on Monday, September 10. A week later on Monday, September 17 (8:30 PM ET), Peyton Manning returns to MNF when the AFC West champion Denver Broncos travel east for a showdown against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 4, NFC contenders collide when the Dallas Cowboys host the Chicago Bears (Monday, October 1, 8:30 PM ET).

• NFL Network will introduce its expanded 13-game, regular-season primetime Thursday Night Football schedule which kicks off in Week 2 and features nine 2011 playoff teams, including six which won division crowns and both NFC Championship Game teams (Giants and 49ers). The TNF opener features the 185th meeting between the NFC North rivals Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers (Thursday, September 13, 8:00 PM ET). The Thursday Night Football slate continues with two quarterbacks who were each selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft – the New York Giants’ Eli Manning (two-time Super Bowl MVP) and Carolina’s Cam Newton (2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year) – facing off in Week 3 (Thursday, September 20, 8:00 PM ET). Among the other matchups on NFL Network’s schedule are 2012 No. 1 Draft pick Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts visiting Jacksonville (Thursday, November 8, 8:00 PM ET) and Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos traveling to Oakland’s “Black Hole” (Thursday, December 6, 8:00 PM ET).

“We are excited to have an expanded 13-game Thursday Night Football schedule on what is one of the most-watched television nights of the week,” says ERIC WEINBERGER, NFL Network’s executive producer. “This special primetime game on NFL Network will give more players, teams, cities and fans the national stage. We can’t wait to open with the Bears at Packers game on September 13.”

The critically acclaimed Thursday Night Football broadcast team returns featuring Emmy-nominated game analyst MIKE MAYOCK, play-by-play announcer BRAD NESSLER and sideline reporter ALEX FLANAGAN.

This summer, NFL Network introduces NFL AM, a new year-round, four-hour weekday morning show kicking off at 6:00 AM ET each Monday through Friday (encore at 7:00 AM PT for West Coast fans). NFL AM will blanket the world of the NFL with seasoned and opinionated talent who will report and debate news and examine the personalities that play the game. The show’s discussion will cover a wide range of NFL-related topics including the cultural convergence of sports, entertainment and music, and will feature talent MARK KRIEGEL, former San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl-winning cornerback ERIC DAVIS, BRIAN WEBBER, NICOLE ZALOUMIS and STEVE WYCHE.

• SHOWTIME’s Emmy Award winning Inside the NFL will premiere Wednesday, September 12 at 9:00 PM ET. Host JAMES BROWN will join analysts CRIS COLLINSWORTH and PHIL SIMMS to break down all the action and debate the hottest topics from around the league each week. Produced with NFL Films, each week’s show will feature brilliant highlights from every game, every week, all in HD. New episodes will air every Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET through Super Bowl XLVII.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING RETURNS

The highly successful “flexible scheduling” format, which debuted in the NFL in 2006, will again be utilized this year for Weeks 11-17. In Weeks 11-16, the schedule lists the game tentatively set for Sunday Night Football on NBC. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game will be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights. The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but an afternoon game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot to conclude the season.

A flexible scheduling move will be announced at least 12 days before the game. For Week 17, the game may be announced six days prior. Flexible scheduling will ensure quality matchups on Sunday night in those weeks and give “surprise” teams a chance to play their way onto primetime.

NFL ON THE GO AND ONLINE

The NFL is bringing fans live NFL games and highlights in more places than ever before.

• NFL Mobile only from Verizon Wireless delivers to mobile devices NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football games, NBC’s Sunday Night Football games, ESPN’s Monday Night Football games as well as the NFL’s RedZone channel showing every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons. Fans also may listen to live audio from every game with NFL Mobile.

• NFL.com offers fans the ability to listen to every game live and on-demand with Audio Pass and watch every

NFL game, commercial-free, after it’s over with NFL Game Rewind. For the first time, NFL Game Rewind will be available on tablets (iOS and Android devices).

• For the first time, fans will have access to “All 22” coaches film for all plays of all games through NFL.com’s NFL Game Rewind product.

• For fans outside of the United States, Game Pass offers every game live and on demand online, on mobile, and tablets (iOS and Android devices).

• NFL.com/Live is a complementary product to NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football, providing fans with a

unique studio show and analysis paired with live look-ins during the game.

• For fans following the games on NFL.com’s Game Center, select in-game highlights are posted minutes after plays happen. At the conclusion of each game, more highlights are posted in the form of a highlights package linked to each Game Center.

NFL ANNOUNCER LINEUP FOR 2012

CBS CBS’ The NFL Today (Pregame): James Brown-Bill Cowher-Boomer Esiason-Dan Marino-Shannon Sharpe-Jason LaCanfora. The NFL on CBS: Jim Nantz-Phil Simms; Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf; other crews TBA.

FOX FOX NFL Sunday (Pregame): Curt Menefee-Terry Bradshaw-Howie Long-Jimmy Johnson-Michael Strahan-Jay Glazer. NFL on FOX: Lead Broadcast Team: Joe Buck-Troy Aikman-Pam Oliver (reporter).

NBC NBC’s Football Night in America (Pregame): Bob Costas-Dan Patrick-Tony Dungy-Rodney Harrison-Hines Ward-Peter King-Mike Florio. Sunday Night Football: Al Michaels-Cris Collinsworth-Michele Tafoya (reporter).

ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown (Pregame): Chris Berman-Cris Carter-Mike Ditka-Tom Jackson-Keyshawn Johnson-Chris Mortensen-Adam Schefter-Suzy Kolber-Merril Hoge-Ron Jaworski-Josina Anderson-Bob Holtzman-Rachel Nichols-Sal Paolantonio-Ed Werder. Monday Night Countdown (Pregame): Chris Berman-Stuart Scott-Cris Carter-Trent Dilfer-Mike Ditka-Tom Jackson-Keyshawn Johnson-Chris Mortensen-Adam Schefter-Steve Young-Lisa Salters. NFL Monday Night Football: Mike Tirico-Jon Gruden-Lisa Salters (reporter).

NFL NETWORK

NFL GameDay Morning (Sunday Pregame): Rich Eisen-Marshall Faulk-Steve Mariucci-Warren Sapp-Kurt Warner-Michael Irvin. Total Access (Pregame): Rich Eisen-Steve Mariucci-Deion Sanders-Marshall Faulk-Michael Irvin-Alex Flanagan. Thursday Night Football: Mike Mayock-Brad Nessler-Alex Flanagan (reporter).

SHOWTIME Inside the NFL: James Brown-Cris Collinsworth-Phil Simms.

NFL RADIO 2012: WESTWOOD ONE/DIAL GLOBAL SPORTS COVERS PRIMETIME & HOLIDAYS;

SIRIUS XM FEATURES THE LEAGUE 24/7

Not near a TV? No problem. NFL fans can listen to games on the radio in a number of ways – on Westwood One/Dial Global Sports and on SiriusXM NFL Radio. WESTWOOD ONE/DIAL GLOBAL SPORTS remains the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL, its 26th consecutive season with that distinction. The 2012 Westwood One/Dial Global NFL broadcast schedule features 64 national games, including the Wednesday night kickoff game, all primetime games (including the Thursday night games), the Thanksgiving Day tripleheader and the entire postseason, including the 2013 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLVII. In addition to being heard on more than 500 radio stations across America, all of Westwood One/Dial Global’s primetime NFL broadcasts can also be heard on SiriusXM Satellite Radio, on Verizon mobile devices and online as part of Audio Pass on NFL.com. Westwood One/Dial Global also broadcasts a Sunday afternoon NFL doubleheader each week during the regular season and produces weekly specialty programs, including The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, NFL Sunday and NFL Fantasy Football Forecast.

WESTWOOD ONE/DIAL GLOBAL

PROGRAM GAME ANNOUNCERS PREGAME/HALFTIME HOST Monday Night Football Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason Jim Gray Sunday Night Football Dave Sims and James Lofton Scott Graham Thursday Night Football Ian Eagle and Trent Green Scott Graham Sunday Afternoon NFL Doubleheaders Tom McCarthy and Tony Boselli Scott Graham

Kevin Kugler and Mark Malone Scott Graham This year will mark the NFL’s ninth season on SIRIUS XM, America’s satellite radio company delivering to subscribers commercial-free music channels, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment and traffic and weather. SiriusXM provides live play-by-play of every NFL game – from the preseason all the way to the 2013 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLVII – to both Sirius subscribers and XM Premier (formerly known as “The Best of Sirius”) subscribers. SiriusXM also broadcasts NFL play-by-play of every game on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and mobile devices and online at SiriusXM.com for its satellite radio subscribers. SIRIUS XM NFL RADIO, available nationwide on channel 88 on Sirius and XM Premier, continues to produce the most in-depth radio coverage of the NFL as the only radio channel dedicated to pro football 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SiriusXM NFL Radio offers a daily lineup of exclusive talk programming hosted by former NFL stars and radio personalities and airs a live simulcast of NFL Network’s signature show, NFL Total Access, every weekday at 7:00 PM ET. SiriusXM NFL Radio is also available to listeners online and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App. For more information visit siriusxm.com/nfl.

SIRIUS XM NFL RADIO SCHEDULE

WEEKDAY PROGRAMMING TIME (All times ET) HOSTS “The Morning Kickoff” 6:00-7:00 AM Ross Tucker “The Opening Drive” 7:00-11:00 AM Bob Papa, Ross Tucker, Amani Toomer, Derrick

Brooks “The SiriusXM Blitz” 11:00 AM-3:00 PM Adam Schein, Rich Gannon, Jim Miller “Madden Football” Wednesdays only

2:00-3:00 PM John Madden, Adam Schein, Rich Gannon

“Movin’ the Chains” 3:00-7:00 PM Tim Ryan, Pat Kirwan NFL Network’s “Total Access” 7:00-8:00 PM “Late Hits” 8:00-11:00 PM Alex Marvez, Bill Polian, Gil Brandt, Jim Miller, Keith

Bulluck SATURDAY PROGRAMMING TIME (All times ET) HOSTS “The Weekend Kickoff” 8:00-11:00 AM Howard David, Dan Leberfeld “Press Coverage” 11:00 AM-2:00 PM Vic Carucci, Dean Dalton “Chalk Talk” 2:00-4:00 PM Andrew Bogusch “The End Zone” 4:00-7:00 PM Andrew Bogusch, Pat Kirwan “Late Hits” 7:00-11:00 PM Zig Fracassi, Jim Miller SUNDAY PROGRAMMING TIME (All times ET) HOSTS “The Stadium Tailgate Show” 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Adam Schein, John Madden, Gil Brandt “The Sunday Drive” 12:00-8:00 PM Steve Torre, Bill Lekas “NFL Rewind” 8:00 PM-12:00 AM Jack Arute, Jim Miller

FUTURE SUPER BOWLS

SUPER BOWL DATE SITE

XLVII February 3, 2013 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

XLVIII February 2, 2014 MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey

XLIX February 1, 2015* University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona

* Tentative date

WOMEN’S IMPACT ON NFL KEEPS GROWING What are women watching? NFL football. The three most-watched shows ever among women are all Super Bowls. Last season, Super Bowl XLVI was watched by an average of 43.3 million women, which is second all-time to the 43.5 million women who watched Super Bowl XLV. A year before that, 41.9 million women tuned in for Super Bowl XLIV. Prior to Super Bowl XLIV, the largest female audiences were the 40.9 million (February 23, 1994) and 38.6 million (February 25, 1994) women who watched the 1994 Winter Olympic figure skating competition featuring Nancy Kerrigan. Additionally, the 43.3 million women who watched Super Bowl XLVI are greater than the total audiences for the 2012 Grammy Awards (39.9 million) and the 2012 Academy Awards (39.3 million). Overall, nearly 80 million women watched the NFL last season and roughly 310,000 women attended NFL games each weekend. Forty-four percent of NFL fans are women and 60 percent of females (ages 12 and older) consider themselves NFL fans. But women are not just watching NFL games. Women are involved in front offices and in front of the cameras to help bring the NFL into millions of homes. KATIE BLACKBURN, the Executive Vice President of the Cincinnati Bengals, is in charge of multiple vital aspects of the team’s operation. She is the team’s lead contract negotiator and oversees the salary cap. She joins other top management in supervising Bengals staff in areas including player personnel, broadcasting and marketing. Blackburn, who is the daughter of Bengals president Mike Brown and the granddaughter of Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Brown, has followed the family tradition and is a scout in her own right, working at the Scouting Combine and Draft and watching film in-season. Blackburn, who grew up in Cincinnati, got early experience working in the ticket office and later in accounting. She attended Dartmouth College and played varsity ice hockey. She earned her law degree at the University of Cincinnati, then worked at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, a Cincinnati-based law firm. She returned to her team and took a full-time job as general counsel in 1991, before assuming her current job in 1999, a role for which many consider her a trailblazer. “With the way everything else has evolved, in time you will see women on the football side of things,” Blackburn told ESPN The Magazine in April. “I certainly wouldn’t doubt it; I would expect it. There’s no reason women can’t fulfill these roles as well as men.”

MELISSA STARK, who enters her second year with NFL Network, will host a new Sunday morning show. A former reporter for ABC Sports, ESPN and NBC News, Stark also worked as a sideline reporter on Monday Night Football and served as a correspondent for NBC’s “Today” show, covering the Olympics in Athens (2004), Torino (2006) and Beijing (2008). “After taking time off to raise four children, I’m thrilled to be hosting this new show on NFL Network,” says Stark. “It is great to be covering the NFL again with such a first-class organization.” Stark returned to television last year as a reporter for NFL Total Access and Around the League Live, in addition to hosting NFL Network’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI and the 2012 NFL Draft. She covered top stories around the NFL and was based on the East Coast, allowing her to balance life at home with her family. Stark will be hosting the new Sunday morning show this season from NFL Network’s East Coast studios.

Stark is also one of 22 women appearing in the third annual NFL Women’s Apparel advertising campaign titled “It’s My Team.” The women are featured showing their love for their teams and hometowns by wearing NFL apparel as part of their outfits, whether they are heading to the office, the gym or out to dinner. A Baltimore native, Stark is featured alongside other women of the NFL family including CHARLOTTE JONES ANDERSON (Dallas Cowboys EVP/VP of Brand Management/President Charity Foundation), TAVIA HUNT (married to Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt), SUZANNE JOHNSON (married to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson) and TANYA SNYDER (married to Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder). For the first time, this year’s campaign features famous NFL fans supporting their favorite teams, including Olympic gold medalist SUMMER SANDERS (San Francisco 49ers), celebrity disc jockey DJ KISS (New Orleans Saints), 2003 Miss USA SUSIE CASTILLO (New England Patriots), singer/songwriter JULIET SIMMS (Miami Dolphins), Dancing With The Stars dancer KYM JOHNSON (Pittsburgh Steelers) and former Secretary of State and professor CONDOLEEZA RICE (Cleveland Browns).

A list of female executives in the NFL at the vice president level and above:

NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Jo Lynn Allen President & CEO, Vulcan Inc. Seattle Seahawks Charlotte Anderson EVP/VP of Brand Management/President Charity Foundation Dallas Cowboys

Renie Anderson VP of Business Development National Football League Michelle Andres VP of Digital Media Baltimore Ravens Dawn Aponte SVP of Football Operations Miami Dolphins Mary Pat Augenthaler VP of Event Production National Football League Karen Beckman CFO & VP of Finance Seattle Seahawks Katie Blackburn Executive VP Cincinnati Bengals Tracey Bleczinski VP of Apparel National Football League Jeanne Bonk Executive VP/CFO San Diego Chargers Robin Boudreau VP of Human Resources New England Patriots Pat Curley VP of Information Technology New England Patriots Anastasia Danias VP of Legal Affairs National Football League Gabrielle Dow VP of Marketing Baltimore Ravens Jen Ferron SVP of Marketing and Brand Development New England Patriots Gretchen Geitter VP of Community Relations Buffalo Bills Jessica Gelman VP of Customer Marketing and Strategy New England Patriots Robyn Glazer VP of the Kraft Group New England Patriots Darcie Glazer Kassewitz Co-President, Glazer Family Foundation Tampa Bay Buccaneers Renee Harvey VP of Community Outreach Cleveland Browns Molly Higgins VP of Corporate Communications & Civic Affairs St. Louis Rams Natara Holloway VP of Consumer Products - Retail Development National Football League Tery Howard SVP - Chief Technology Officer Miami Dolphins Nancy Hubacher VP of Sales & Marketing Washington Redskins Patty Inglis EVP San Francisco 49ers Kalen Irsay VP Indianapolis Colts Casey Irsay-Foyt VP Indianapolis Colts Carlie Irsay-Gordon VP Indianapolis Colts Jenneen Kaufman VP/CFO Tennessee Titans Cindy Kelley VP of Human Resources & Administration Seattle Seahawks Cindy Kellogg VP of Community Development Denver Broncos Kirsten Krug VP of Human Resources & Administration Kansas City Chiefs Jennifer Langton VP of Business Ventures Finance National Football League Rita Benson LeBlanc Vice Chairman of the Board New Orleans Saints Claudia Lezcano del Campo SVP - Chief Marketing Officer Miami Dolphins Marilan Logan VP and Chief Accounting Officer Houston Texans Jennifer Love VP NFL Network Allison Maki VP of Finance & Administration Detroit Lions Lisa Manning VP of Marketing Arizona Cardinals Virginia McCaskey Owner Chicago Bears Kim McFadden VP of Human Resources National Football League Penny McPhee President, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Atlanta Falcons Julie Moeller VP of International Media National Football League Karen Murphy CFO & Treasurer Chicago Bears Vicky Neumeyer VP/General Counsel New Orleans Saints Mary Owen EVP, Strategic Planning Buffalo Bills Elizabeth Parkinson SVP of Marketing & Partnerships Detroit Lions Tracy Perlman VP of Entertainment Marketing & Promotions National Football League Christine Procops SVP & CFO New York Giants Lucia Rodriguez Owner/Chair of Community Outreach St. Louis Rams Rosemary Roser VP, Controller National Football League Kim Shreckengost EVP - Chief of Staff, AMB Group, LLC. Atlanta Falcons Kennie Smith Executive in Charge of Project Management NFL Films Sarah Swanson VP, Marketing & Promotions NFL Network Suzie Thomas EVP/General Counsel/Chief Administration Officer Houston Texans Amy Trask Chief Executive Oakland Raiders Kelly Urquhart VP of Events Detroit Lions Christina Weiss-Lurie President of Eagles Youth Partnership Philadelphia Eagles Jaime Weston VP of Brand & Creative National Football League Kimberly Williams COO NFL Network Denise DeBartolo York Owner San Francisco 49ers

ACCOMPLISHED IN THEIR OWN RIGHT Professional athletes and Olympians. Business women and doctors. Philanthropists and models. The NFL family is filled with many women who are accomplished without ever setting a passing record or wearing a Super Bowl ring. MARY WILSON, the wife of Buffalo Bills owner and Pro Football Hall of Famer RALPH WILSON, is the founder of Western New York Girls in Sports, a program that empowers, educates and motivates young girls through sports participation while teaching them sportsmanship. “Sports have been a part of my life from a very young age,” says Mary Wilson. “It’s my vision to have girls participating in sports. It’s a passion and it’s fun.” In partnership with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and the Girl Scouts of Western New York, the Western New York Girls in Sports clinics (right) are held twice per year in the Buffalo Bills Healthy Zone Fieldhouse. Each clinic includes 200-250 female students, ages 9-12, from local Buffalo public schools. At the clinics, various stations are set up throughout the Bills Fieldhouse and are supervised by local amateur, college and professional female athletes. The girls participate in different sports and learn about athletic opportunities for women at the high school, college and professional level. “It’s extremely valuable on every level,” says Mary Wilson. “You learn sportsmanship, integrity, how to get along with your teammates and how to win and lose.” Earlier this year, Mary Wilson was recognized by the National Federation For Just Communities of Western New York as a community leader in sports for creating and developing her program as an athletic outlet for young girls in the Western New York region. Following is a list of other accomplished women who have family ties to NFL players, owners or coaches: NAME ACCOMPLISHMENTS/CLAIM TO FAME RELATION TO NFL PLAYER/COACH Devi Dev (Devon Anjelica)

Co-host of national radio show Sway in the Morning on SiriusXM’s Shade 45 and host of Hip Hop POV on MTV.

Fiancée of Houston T Duane Brown

Liza Barber All-American soccer player at Harvard (2001-04). Wife of Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick Gisele Bundchen A supermodel and actress who has appeared on more

magazine covers than any model. Participates in multiple charities and humanitarian causes, including the I am African campaign and (Product) Red project, both of which raise awareness and funds to help defeat AIDS in Africa.

Wife of New England QB Tom Brady

Nicki Caldwell Head women’s basketball coach at LSU. Niece of Philadelphia LB coach Mike Caldwell

Jaime Carroll Member of the USC Women of Troy volleyball team that competed in the 2000 NCAA Final Four.

Daughter of Seattle head coach Pete Carroll

Lauren Cassel Played volleyball at USC and was a captain of the squad that won the 2002 National Championship.

Wife of Kansas City QB Matt Cassel

Felicia Chester-Wootton Forward on the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. Three-time member of the Big East All-Academic Team as a starting forward on the DePaul University women’s basketball team.

Wife of Chicago DE Corey Wootton

Kim de la Puente Played centerback on UC Irvine’s women’s soccer team. Wife of New Orleans G Brian de la Puente Victoria Dunlap Forward on the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. Voted the 2009

SEC Player of the Year and named to the NCAA Division I State Farm Coaches’ All-America team while playing for the University of Kentucky women’s basketball team.

Sister of Philadelphia T King Dunlap

Jennifer Greenway Former varsity track and field athlete at the University of Iowa.

Wife of Minnesota LB Chad Greenway

Ashley Iupati A nine-time BMX bicycle world champion racer as a youth. Wife of San Francisco G Mike Iupati Hannah Jun Participates on the LPGA Futures Tour. Medlock has

caddied for her at times. Girlfriend of Carolina K Justin Medlock

Dr. Aungel Latchley Evans Medical resident at George Washington University. Wife of free agent DT Demetric Evans Erin Lechler Former All-American volleyball player at Texas A&M. Wife of Oakland P Shane Lechler Angel McMichael A Sergeant in the Army and Georgia basketball Player of

the Year at Griffin HS in 1978. Mother of San Diego TE Randy McMichael

Jayme Miller Accomplished rodeo barrel racer. Wife of Minnesota DE Brian Robison Heather Mitts Defender for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and

a member of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team for the 2012 Olympics in London. Won gold medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

Wife of St. Louis QB A.J. Feeley

Anita Nall-Richesson Multiple-medal winner in swimming at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in 2008.

Wife of Denver head strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson

Lissa Olson Associate head coach of track and field at the University of South Florida. First female to be named a head coach of a Division I men’s track and field team when she was named the head coach at Purdue University in March of 2001.

Wife of Jacksonville quarterbacks coach Greg Olson

Shaelyn Palmer Played goalie for USC’s soccer team. Wife of Oakland QB Carson Palmer Kelsi Reich Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Girlfriend of Buffalo WR David Nelson Sanya Richards-Ross Won gold medals in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics as part of

the USA’s 4 x 400 meter relay team. Wife of Jacksonville CB Aaron Ross

Stephanie Rivera Former assistant coach for the WNBA's Washington Mystics.

Wife of Carolina head coach Ron Rivera

Greta Rooney Co-chair of the annual Steelers Style Fashion Show, the team’s largest annual fundraiser, which benefits the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute and the Cancer Caring Center.

Wife of Pittsburgh President Art Rooney II

Patricia Rooney Co-founder of the Salvation Army’s Project Bundle-Up program, which pairs Steelers players and their families with disadvantaged children to shop for winter outerwear.

Wife of Pittsburgh Chairman Emeritus Dan Rooney

Captain Christina Royal Graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and currently a special agent in the United States Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations. Christina was the first-ever female regimental commander and the first-ever African-American regimental commander for the Corps of Cadets, where she was in charge of all the cadets at the school.

Sister of San Diego WR Eddie Royal

Alicia Sacramone Member of the 2008 silver medal winning U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team. Won nine career World Championships medals, including three golds, four silvers and two bronzes, the highest career tally in U.S. history.

Girlfriend of Kansas City QB Brady Quinn

Julie Sullivan Former collegiate softball pitcher. In 2005, she was inducted into the Youngstown State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Wife of Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan

Annie Thomas Played basketball for the University of Wisconsin. Wife of Cleveland T Joe Thomas Carol Thomson-Slowik Pioneer in women’s track and field in Delaware and a

member of the Delaware Track and Field Hall of Fame. Was a national collegiate champion in the 100-meter hurdles, a world record holder in the 60-yard hurdles and American record holder in the 50- and 60-meter indoor hurdles. She has coached at Florida, Drake and Rutgers.

Wife of Washington LB coach Bob Slowik and mother of Washington defensive assistant Bobby Slowik

Laurie M. Tisch Entrepreneur and philanthropist. President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. Chair Emeritus of the Center for Arts Education and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Sits on the Board of Trustees for a variety of arts and education organizations.

Member of the Board of Directors of the NY Giants

Kiya Tomlin Fashion designer; Co-chair of the annual Steelers Style Fashion Show, the team’s largest annual fundraiser.

Wife of Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin

Darci Wash Was an All-American basketball player for North Dakota State University and played on three national championship teams.

Wife of Seattle defensive line coach Todd Wash

Kendra Wilkinson Star of the E! reality-television show Kendra. Wife of free agent WR Hank Baskett Tasha Williams Former basketball player at Louisiana Tech University. Wife of Minnesota DT Kevin Williams Mary Wilson Founder of the Western New York Girls in Sports program

to empower, educate and motivate young girls through sports participation, learning life skills and awareness of Title IX and its history.

Wife of Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson

NO. 18 IS NO. 1

2012 has brought a lot of new looks to the NFL. Players have changed teams. Nike has taken over as the new official uniform provider, producing all on-field apparel. And New Era is now the official on-field headwear supplier. Denver Broncos quarterback PEYTON MANNING (right) finds himself in new colors this year but his number 18 jersey finds itself in a familiar place on the list of the top 25 NFL player jerseys sold on NFLShop.com, Manning is No. 1. From the period of April 1-June 30, Manning’s No. 18 Broncos jersey was the top seller among all NFL players as quarterbacks occupied the top six positions, including two rookies. Rookie quarterbacks ROBERT GRIFFIN III (No. 2) of the Washington Redskins and ANDREW LUCK (No. 4) of the Indianapolis Colts cracked the top five after being selected in the 2012 NFL Draft. Rounding out the top six were TIM TEBOW (No.3) of the New York Jets, ELI MANNING (No. 5) of the New York Giants and AARON RODGERS (No. 6) of the Green Bay Packers. Twelve of the top 25 best-selling NFL player jerseys belonged to quarterbacks, including eight of the top nine. The top-selling player jerseys from April 1-June 30, 2012:

TOP-SELLING NFL PLAYER JERSEYS

1 Peyton Manning Denver Broncos 14 Clay Matthews Green Bay Packers 2 Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins 15 Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens 3 Tim Tebow New York Jets 16 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints 4 Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 17 Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions 5 Eli Manning New York Giants 18 DeMarcus Ware Dallas Cowboys 6 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers 19 Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks 7 Patrick Willis San Francisco 49ers 20 Brian Urlacher Chicago Bears 8 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers 21 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers 9 Tom Brady New England Patriots 22 Von Miller Denver Broncos 10 Troy Polamalu Pittsburgh Steelers 23 Darren McFadden Oakland Raiders 11 Victor Cruz New York Giants 24 Jason Witten Dallas Cowboys 12 Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys 25 Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles 13 Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots

Source: NFLShop.com

Patrick Willis Troy Polamalu Brian Urlacher Jason Witten Michael Vick

THE GIRLS ARE OUT THERE, TOO Girls are continuing to head to the field as flag football grows in numbers across the country. The NFL, through the NFL-USA FOOTBALL GIRLS FLAG PROGRAM, continues to help establish girls flag football as a high school sport across the country and aims to encourage schools to offer flag football as a varsity sport for girls.

In 2008, the NFL identified 10 cities with high levels of interest in recreational girls flag football and selected one girl in each city to advocate for the establishment of girls flag football as a legitimate high school sport. The NFL worked with each one of these representatives as she championed for the establishment of girls flag football in her school district. The NFL also helped subsidize the program for every high school that agreed to sanction a girls flag program, providing free flag football equipment as well as coaching and officiating manuals. “We are just thrilled to be able to provide an avenue for girls to do this if they want to play in a girls-only league,” says SAMANTHA RAPOPORT, senior manager of flag and female football development for USA Football.

With the help of those original representatives, programs were established in seven states during the 2008-09 school year. In 2009-10, the number of girls involved in high school flag football continued to grow with programs developing in cities such as Pittsburgh, Chicago, Santa Rosa (CA) and Reseda (CA). During the 2010-11 school year, programs were launched in Mount Vernon (NY), Torrance (CA), Falls Church (VA) and Homestead (FL). Both New York City and Washington, D.C public school systems started a girls program at the varsity level and in 2012-13, Las Vegas will maintain the momentum. More than 30,000 girls now participate in high school flag football recreationally. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, Florida alone boasts more than 5,000 recreational girls flag football players and has recognized a high school champion since 2003. The state introduced girls flag football at the high school varsity level in 1998, and its popularity increases annually. “It was at the high school level, but now we are expanding to all levels of school: elementary, junior, and high schools,” says Rapoport. “In flag football, there’s really a position for every girl. However big you are, however small you are, however fast, there is a position for you on the field. So it lends itself well to attracting girls from all walks of life.” The breakdown of girls high school football programs during the 2010-11 school year:

PROGRAM NUMBER OF PROGRAMS 11-player 1,395 9-player 5 8-player 161

Additionally, the NFL Pepsi PUNT, PASS & KICK (PP&K) program hosts a free national skills competition for boys and girls between the ages of 8-15. Serving as a platform for teaching the game’s fundamentals in a non-contact environment, the nation’s largest grassroots sports skills competition celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011 with 40 boys and girls in participation.

FOOTBALL’S POPULARITY IN HIGH SCHOOL KEEPS GROWING Football is the sport of choice for more and more high school students each year. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the number of participants on 11-player football teams was 1,108,441 last year. In total, the 1,134,377 boys involved in the sport account for approximately 25 percent of the 4,494,406 boys that participate in athletics. For the 13th year in a row, involvement in football surpassed the one-million mark. The number of participants playing high school football on 11-, nine-, eight-, and six-player teams is significantly larger than the next most-played sport, outdoor track and field, in which 579,302 boys participated.

MOST POPULAR BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

SPORT NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS Football 1,134,377 Outdoor Track and Field 579,302 Basketball 545,844 Baseball 471,025 Soccer 398,351

Texas boasts the most high school students playing 11-man football with 168,680 participants. Texas also had the most players selected in the 2012 NFL Draft with 32, topping Florida’s 31 players drafted this year. The breakdown of states with double-digit players drafted by NFL clubs in 2012:

STATE PLAYERS DRAFTED STATE PLAYERS DRAFTED Texas 32 Ohio 16 Florida 31 Georgia 14 California 26 North Carolina 10

A total of 241 high schools contributed to the 253 players selected in the seven rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. There were 10 schools with two or more players selected. Miami Northwestern (left) in Miami, Florida led all high schools with four players – LAVONTE DAVID (Tampa Bay), SEAN SPENCE (Pittsburgh), TOMMY STREETER (Baltimore) and BRANDON WASHINGTON (Philadelphia) – chosen. “I really haven’t had a chance to play back in Florida,” says David, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the second round. “It’s great to have an opportunity to play in Tampa, four hours up the road from Miami.”

The breakdown of high schools that had multiple players drafted by NFL clubs in 2012:

HIGH SCHOOL TOTAL PLAYERS (NFL TEAM/ROUND) Miami Northwestern (Miami, FL) 4 Lavonte David (Tampa Bay/2); Sean Spence (Pittsburgh/3);

Tommy Streeter (Baltimore/6); Brandon Washington (Philadelphia/6)

Colony (Ontario, California) 2 Omar Bolden (Denver/4); Bobby Wagner (Seattle/2) Granite Bay (Granite Bay, CA) 2 Miles Burris (Oakland/4); Devon Wylie (Kansas City/4)

Lake Worth Community (Lake Worth, FL)

2 LaVon Brazill (Indianapolis/6); Joe Looney (San Francisco/4)

Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) 2 Chris Greenwood (Detroit/5); Nick Perry (Green Bay/1) Pahokee (Pahokee, FL) 2 Dwight Bentley (Detroit/3); Janoris Jenkins (St. Louis/2) Saint Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

2 Andrew Datko (Green Bay/7); Christian Thompson (Baltimore/4)

Saint Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) 2 Luke Kuechly (Carolina/1); Greg Scruggs (Seattle/7)

Scotland (Laurinburg, NC) 2 Terrell Manning (Green Bay/5); Travian Robertson (Atlanta/7)

Warren (Warren, AR) 2 Greg Childs (Minnesota/4); Jarius Wright (Minnesota/4)

YOUTH FOOTBALL SAFETY AND HELMET REPLACEMENT PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES

As part of a joint commitment to player safety, a group of sports entities – including the NFL and equipment manufacturers – created a partnership this spring to initiate a youth football safety and helmet replacement program for youth in underserved communities.

The partnership between the following entities and manufacturers is supported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

NFL

NFL Players Association

USA Football

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA)

NCAA

National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)

Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA)

Rawlings

Riddell

Schutt

Xenith

The initiative removes helmets that are at least 10 years old and replaces them with new helmets at no cost to the beneficiary leagues. Helmets are delivered to leagues along with the latest educational information to help keep their young athletes safer and healthier.

In its first year, the program was piloted in four markets: the California Bay Area, the Gulf Coast region, Northern Ohio, and the tri-state region around New York City. The NFL, NFLPA, NCAA and NOCSAE committed a combined total of approximately $1 million to the program in its first year. The pilot program was designed to provide valuable information on the state of youth football helmets, including the number of helmets 10 years old or older in use. As of 2012, NAERA members will no longer recondition or recertify any helmet that is 10 years of age or older. NOCSAE collected the helmets when removed and used them for ongoing research programs.

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL and NFLPA, is leading the execution of the program. Other partners in the initiative are the NFL, NFLPA, CDC, NAERA, NCAA, NOCSAE and the SGMA. Equipment manufacturers Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt and Xenith are providing discounted helmets. The effort, initiated by CPSC Chairman INEZ TENENBAUM, educated thousands of youth football coaches on vital health and safety issues and provided thousands of new helmets to youth football players in low-income communities in 2012. “We are pleased to be part of this initiative, which gives children in underserved communities access to new helmets, and to reach coaches and parents with educational information to help protect young athletes from head injuries,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “This program is part of our focus on player safety at all levels of the game. We are proud to join with these well-respected organizations to make the Helmet Replacement Program a reality.” Helmets do not prevent concussions. Therefore, the program includes a strong educational campaign that features important safety information from the CDC, the CPSC and USA Football, including materials on concussion awareness, proper helmet fitting and fundamentally sound football instruction with USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact module. In addition, leagues that receive helmets through this program will be required to have their coaches complete USA Football’s Level 1 coaching course. Elements of the education component are as follows:

“Start with Safety”: Concussion awareness and response information, featuring links to CDC content and resources

“Perfect Fitting”: Helmet fitting information, including links to manufacturer-specific fitting resources

“Tackle Safety”: USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact information and videos

“Helmet Condition”: Reconditioning and replacement information

“The time has come to accelerate the culture change needed to improve the health and safety of youth football players,” says CPSC Chairman Tenenbaum. “Even with our push for improved safety equipment, it is vital that parents, coaches and players understand that there is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet. The best answer is safer and smarter play, which is why this game-changing program is aimed at reducing hits to the head and trauma to the brain. I want to thank everyone involved in this initiative for joining together in a common commitment to youth player safety.”

USA FOOTBALL SAFETY SURVEILLANCE STUDY ADVANCES YOUTH GAME USA Football has commissioned The Datalys Center to conduct a full-season research study in 2012 to examine player health and safety in organized youth tackle football. The independent scientific study is believed to be the first of its scope in youth football’s 80-plus year history. The research will document player health and any sustained injuries during the course of the 2012 season in 10 youth football leagues of varying size and demographics across the United States. Athletic trainers will be present at the leagues’ practice and game fields to manage and document player health. USA Football’s study will aim to provide new information for America’s football community, including:

• Observations about player safety at different ages and at game-versus-practice situations

• Playing standards (player age versus player age and weight) that account for the safest play

• The incidence and severity of injuries in organized youth tackle football “This ground-breaking research will enable us to strengthen youth football player safety in an evidence-based way,” says USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK. “USA Football is committed to continue to lead America’s football community and discover how our country’s favorite sport can be made even better.”

USA FOOTBALL FUNDAMENTALS!

Forty current and former NFL players hosted USA Football FUNdamentals clinics this summer. The one-day clinics are designed to introduce children ages 7-14 to football by teaching basic skills in a fun and energetic environment. Many of these camps were supported through a grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund.

FUNdamentals incorporates a series of drills to teach passing, catching and running skills in a non-contact setting. All skills and drills selected are based on USA Football’s Player Progression Development Model, ensuring youth players learn in an age-appropriate manner, based on their cognitive and physical maturity.

USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association.

Current and former NFL players who hosted USA Football FUNdamentals camps this summer include:

NAME TEAM NAME TEAM Sam Acho Arizona Cardinals James Lee Washington Redskins Keith Rucker Arizona Cardinals Brandyn Thompson Washington Redskins John Skelton Arizona Cardinals Leigh Torrence Washington Redskins Stephen Nicholas Atlanta Falcons Jason Davis NFL free agent Leodis McKelvin Buffalo Bills Tyjuan Hagler NFL free agent C.J. Spiller Buffalo Bills Kareem Huggins NFL free agent Sherrod Martin Carolina Panthers Marlin Jackson NFL free agent Earl Bennett Chicago Bears Robert Royal NFL free agent Emmanuel Acho Cleveland Browns Eric Dickerson Retired NFL player Andre Fluellen Detroit Lions Jeff Gossett Retired NFL player Ben Tate Houston Texans Arlen Harris Retired NFL player E.J. Henderson Minnesota Vikings Lester Holmes Retired NFL player Gerard Warren New England Patriots Scooter McGruder Retired NFL player Nate Allen Philadelphia Eagles Damion McIntosh Retired NFL player Jamar Chaney Philadelphia Eagles Roman Oben Retired NFL player Le’Ron McClain San Diego Chargers Cliff Odom Retired NFL player Davin Joseph Tampa Bay Buccaneers Christian Okoye Retired NFL player Sen’Derrick Marks Tennessee Titans John Swain Retired NFL player Leroy Harris Jr. Tennessee Titans Tim Watson Retired NFL player Fernando Velasco Tennessee Titans Chuck Wiley Retired NFL player

NFL PLAYERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Twenty-six NFL players earned their way onto the third annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team in 2011, which honors NFL players exhibiting exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate. Approximately three million American children ages 6-14 play organized tackle football, placing it among the country’s most popular youth sports.

USA Football’s All-Fundamentals Team, chosen by a selection panel, recognizes NFL players at each offensive and defensive position as well as four special teams positions. Employing proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, fosters better on-field performance and promotes inherent safety benefits.

Each NFL player chosen for the All-Fundamentals Team received a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football also presented selected players with a custom-made Riddell helmet trophy.

The USA Football All-Fundamentals Team selection panel consists of FOX NFL analyst CHARLES DAVIS, former NFL head coach HERM EDWARDS, former NFL running back MERRIL HOGE, UCLA head coach JIM MORA and former Kansas City Chiefs general manager CARL PETERSON.

Game footage from NFL Films showcases USA Football All-Fundamentals Team players’ techniques at www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team.

The 2011 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team:

NAME POS. TEAM FUNDAMENTAL SKILL Aaron Rodgers QB Green Bay Packers Throwing mechanics Arian Foster RB Houston Texans Following blocks/ball security Michael Robinson FB Seattle Seahawks Run blocking Eric Decker WR Denver Broncos Catching with hands Donald Driver WR Green Bay Packers Catching with hands Heath Miller TE Pittsburgh Steelers Run blocking/catching Nick Mangold C New York Jets Run blocking/combo block David Diehl G New York Giants Run blocking Carl Nicks G Tampa Bay Buccaneers Run blocking/drive block Jordan Gross T Carolina Panthers Run blocking/combo block Joe Thomas T Cleveland Browns Pass blocking footwork Tamba Hali DE Kansas City Chiefs Defeating a block/foot work Julius Peppers DE Chicago Bears Defeating a block Haloti Ngata DT Baltimore Ravens Defeating a block/arm over rush Justin Smith DT San Francisco 49ers Defeating a block/bull rush Sean Lee LB Dallas Cowboys Tackling Patrick Willis LB San Francisco 49ers Defeating a block/tackling NaVorro Bowman LB San Francisco 49ers Gaining ground downhill/tackling Brent Grimes CB Atlanta Falcons Pass coverage Charles Woodson CB Green Bay Packers Playing the ball Malcolm Jenkins S New Orleans Saints Breaking up the pass Eric Weddle S San Diego Chargers Footwork in coverage Devin Hester KR-PR Chicago Bears Kick catching/returning Cullen Loeffler LS Minnesota Vikings Long snapping mechanics Josh Scobee K Jacksonville Jaguars Kicking mechanics Shane Lechler P Oakland Raiders Punting mechanics

http://www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team

http://www.usafootball.com/all-fundamentals-team

NFL AND LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION ANNOUNCE $2.5 MILLION IN FIELD GRANTS AS PART OF NFL GRASSROOTS PROGRAM

As part of a 14-year, $32.5 million NFL commitment to enhancing low-income communities, the league joined with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) this summer to announce $2.5 million in field grants through the NFL GRASSROOTS PROGRAM. The program, a partnership between the NFL Youth Football Fund and LISC, the nation’s leading community development support corporation, has resulted in the construction or renovation of 256 football fields nationwide in the past 14 years. Fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements such as irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project. This year’s field grants went to the following projects in NFL markets:

TEAM FIELD LOCATION Atlanta Falcons Atlanta, GA; Park Pride Carolina Panthers Spartanburg, SC; Spartanburg County School District #7 Chicago Bears Chicago, IL; Take the Field Initiative Cincinnati Bengals Alexandria, KY; Campbell County School District Cleveland Browns Grafton, OH; Midview Local School District Denver Broncos Pueblo, CO; Pueblo City Schools Education Foundation Detroit Lions Detroit, MI; Detroit Edison Public School Academy Green Bay Packers West Allis, WI; West Allis-West Milwaukee School District New Orleans Saints New Orleans, LA; Bayou District Foundation New York Giants Newark, NJ; Ironbound Community Corporation Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia, PA; Philadelphia Recreation Advisory Council Pittsburgh Steelers Penn Hills, PA; Penn Hills High School Tampa Bay Buccaneers Clearwater, FL; Clearwater for Youth, Inc. Tennessee Titans Madison, TN; Project Reflect, Inc. Washington Redskins Washington, DC; Friendship Public Charter School

“Community fields are the pillars of neighborhoods across the country and places where families can ‘play 60’ together in a safe environment,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “We are pleased to join with LISC and our teams to provide young people with access to quality playing fields.” LISC identifies local, nonprofit, neighborhood-based agencies with an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and parks. Through the program, the local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their neighborhoods. The local agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields. “Building sustainable communities – good places to live, work, do business and raise families – is a priority for LISC,” says MICHAEL RUBINGER, LISC’s president and CEO. “Developing recreational facilities is a key part of that, and the NFL and the NFL Players Association have been committed partners in making it happen.”

NFL YOUTH FOOTBALL FUND AWARDS $600,000 IN GRANTS TO

214 CURRENT AND FORMER NFL PLAYERS AND COACHES FOR FREE YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMPS

This year, the NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF) awarded $600,000 to 214 NFL players and coaches to support its free youth football camps. Camps receiving NFL YFF grants were also required to participate in USA Football safety initiatives focusing on concussion and hydration awareness.

The camps, run by former and current NFL players and coaches, will reach more than 55,000 young football players this summer. Players and coaches hosting free camps throughout the summer include former wide receiver ISAAC BRUCE, Arizona Cardinals quarterback KEVIN KOLB (left), Pittsburgh Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN and Dallas Cowboys tight end JASON WITTEN. “Summer camps are a great way for children to keep active, build confidence and learn important skills,” says NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL, who serves on the NFL Youth Football Fund board of directors. “We are pleased to support our players’ philanthropic efforts that promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles in young people.” The NFL has long supported players’ philanthropic endeavors, and the NFL Youth Football Fund has awarded more than $4.3 million in player and coach camp grants since 1998.

“The NFL Youth Football Fund provides our players and their coaches with valuable resources to make a positive impact in their communities,” says NFLPA Executive Director DE MAURICE SMITH. “The NFLPA applauds this program’s efforts to ensure each camp includes an educational component on player health and safety.” Established in 1998 by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, the NFL Youth Football Fund uses football as a catalyst to promote positive youth development, support youth and high school football needs nationwide and ensure the health of amateur football participation. Through the YFF’s youth football initiatives and support programs, young athletes are provided with opportunities to learn the game of football, get physically fit and stay involved in productive after-school activities with adult mentors. The YFF also provides youngsters with safe and accessible places to play, as well as programs and initiatives that address the importance of proper coaching, health and safety and life skills development. For more information, visit http://www.nflyff.org/.

Earl Bennett Football Camp Christopher Owens Football Camp

http://www.nflyff.org/

NFL’S HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SCORES WITH STUDENTS When NFL players take the field this fall, many of them will carry the skills and character development lessons they learned by taking part in the NFL High School Player Development (HSPD) program as teenagers. Since its inception in 2001, the NFL’s national HSPD program has provided participants with a curriculum that focuses on inspiring excellence in the classroom, community and on the playing field. The program, which is partially funded by the NFL Youth Football Fund, is free for students and reached more than 200 sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico this spring and summer.

The character development and life skills portion of the program features guest speakers and discussions on life after high school. Participants learn about the importance of time management, setting goals, sportsmanship and teamwork. Students also take part in a Centers for Disease Control session about player safety, including concussion treatment and management. “I want them to walk away with not only the skills we’re teaching them, but how to be an adult, how to be a man, how to be a better person and how to respect people,” says former NFL player PAUL MIRANDA. During each session, members of the National Guard speak with participants about personal development and community service while providing support to coaches on site.

NFL players who are graduates of the program include Baltimore Ravens running back RAY RICE (above left, with Commissioner Goodell at an HSPD program), San Diego Chargers tackle JARED GAITHER, Washington Redskins cornerback KEVIN BARNES, New York Jets defensive end/linebacker AARON MAYBIN, Miami Dolphins cornerback VONTAE DAVIS, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DERRICK WILLIAMS and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker LEON WILLIAMS. “Football is a sport that you have to go through the fundamentals to be great,” says Derrick Williams. “You can apply that all through your life. It is all about discipline and fundamentals. It all applies to your everyday life.” For more information, visit www.nflhspd.com.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (center), who is a graduate of the program, made an appearance at a recent HSPD program at DeWitt Clinton High School (Bronx, NY).

http://www.nflhspd.com/

IT’S AN ELECTION YEAR! On Friday, June 8, the New York Giants visited President BARACK OBAMA at the White House to celebrate the team’s victory in Super Bowl XLVI. “We both have a goal to get back here next year,” said Giants head coach TOM COUGHLIN (right, with President Obama) to loud cheers. For the Giants, this was the team’s second visit to the White House in the past five years. “It’s a wonderful experience and a great honor to be here at the White House with the President of the United States and the history of this great country,” said Coughlin. “It’s very significant and meaningful. You can tell that by seeing our players. Our players really do appreciate the fact not only that they were invited here, but they had the opportunity to spend a minute with the president. He stood there and shook hands with everybody on our team. It was very meaningful and significant. I hope it’s more than twice in a lifetime.” The Giants’ captains – ELI MANNING, JUSTIN TUCK and ZAK DE OSSIE – presented President Obama with a blue Giants No. 44 jersey with the name “OBAMA” on the back to honor the 44th President of the United States and an autographed Super Bowl XLVI football (below). “I know for some of you, this is welcome back,” said Obama. “You’ve been through this drill before. The last time the Giants were here was in 2008. A lot of folks said that team didn’t have a chance to win the Super Bowl. They ended up winning with a circus catch in the fourth quarter, an MVP performance from Eli Manning and a come-from-behind win over the Patriots. It sounds kind of like déjà vu all over again.” With 2012 being an election year, both the Giants and the president hope that history repeats itself again and they’re back at the White House for a similar celebration next year. Football and the White House have been linked for a long time. In fact, there have been five United States Presidents who played football in college:

PRESIDENT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY POSITION YEAR(S) Dwight D. Eisenhower U.S. Military Academy (West Point) Halfback 1912 Gerald Ford University of Michigan Center 1932-34 John F. Kennedy Harvard University Wide Receiver 1937 Richard Nixon Whittier College Running Back 1931-34 Ronald Reagan Eureka College Guard 1928-31

Zak DeOssie, President Barack Obama, Justin Tuck and Eli Manning

Misericordia University Bluefield College Lindenwood University-Belleville

Point University Wayland Baptist University

FIVE COLLEGES TO ADD FOOTBALL PROGRAMS IN 2012 As the anticipation for football season continues to build, fans can look forward to more action on college campuses this fall. After a total of 28 NCAA and NAIA schools added varsity football teams in the past four years, five colleges plan to launch football programs in 2012 while 17 others prepare to debut squads by 2015. In 2012, MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY (Dallas, Pennsylvania) will compete in Division III of the NCAA, while the NAIA will welcome BLUEFIELD COLLEGE (Bluefield, Virginia), LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY-BELLEVILLE (Belleville, Illinois), POINT UNIVERSITY (West Point, Georgia) and WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (Plainview, Texas). ALDERSON-BROADDUS COLLEGE will open play this fall, but will launch its program at the club level before rising to NCAA Division II in 2013. Alderson-Broaddus College will enter the NCAA ranks during the same season as the UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE, which will compete in the Division I-Football Championship Subdivision until it elevates to the Division I-Bowl Subdivision and joins Conference USA in 2015. “Football’s popularity has never been greater,” says Steven J. Hatchell, president & CEO of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. “The fact that so many schools are embracing it is a testament that more and more college administrators see the value of the sport to a student’s overall educational experience.” A list of colleges that plan to initiate football programs by 2015:

COLLEGE LOCATION START DATE/LEVEL Misericordia Dallas, PA 2012-NCAA, Div. III Bluefield College Bluefield, VA 2012-NAIA Lindenwood University-Belleville Belleville, IL 2012-NAIA Point West Point, GA 2012-NAIA Wayland Baptist Plainview, TX 2012-NAIA Mercer Macon, GA 2013-NCAA, Div. I-FCS Stetson DeLand, FL 2013-NCAA, Div. I-FCS University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC 2013-NCAA, Div. I-FCS Alderson-Broaddus College Philippi, WV 2013-NCAA, Div. II Florida Tech Melbourne, FL 2013-NCAA, Div. II Berry College Mount Berry, GA 2013-NCAA, Div. III Hendrix College Conway, AR 2013-NCAA, Div. III Southwestern Georgetown, TX 2013-NCAA, Div. III Oklahoma Baptist Shawnee, OK 2013-NAIA Reinhardt Waleska, GA 2013-NAIA Warner Lake Wales, FL 2013-NAIA Houston Baptist Houston, TX 2014-NCAA, Div. I-FCS Kennesaw State Kennesaw, GA 2014-NCAA, Div. I-FCS George Fox Newberg, OR 2014-NCAA, Div. III College of Idaho Caldwell, ID 2014-NAIA University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA 2015-NCAA, Div. I FCS Finlandia Hancock, MI 2015-NCAA, Div. III

http://point.edu/s/310/athletics/start.aspx?sid=310&gid=1&pgid=1626

http://www.wbuathletics.com/index.php?urlLink=70

A look at football’s growth at the collegiate level:

Source: National Football Foundation



GOING FOR GOLD Even the most knowledgeable sports fans are surprised to learn that football once appeared on the Olympic stage during the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles. As the host country, the United States was provided with the opportunity to select a demonstration sport to add to the lineup of events. Due to the increasing popularity of college football, the East Coast’s Big Three of Harvard, Princeton and Yale assembled a roster, while the West Coast’s Big Three of USC, Stanford and Cal followed suit. Approximately 60,000 fans filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 8, 1932 to watch the West’s 7-6 victory over the East.

The game has continued to gain global attention and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has pushed for the sport’s return to the Olympics. Since its inception in 1998, IFAF has dedicated itself to fostering the growth of football worldwide. In 2011, the federation submitted an application to request full recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IFAF is currently composed of 62 member nations on six continents. The federation is the designated developmental partner of the NFL and USA Football.

Denver Broncos quarterback PEYTON MANNING has voiced his opinion about the pressing need to acknowledge football as an Olympic sport. “Growing up, I always believed I could make my dreams come true, and by playing in the NFL and winning the Super Bowl, I’ve made many of those dreams a reality,” says Manning. “But there’s still one thing left for me to accomplish and that’s winning a gold medal.” Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON ROGERS (@AaronRogers12) tweeted in June “After watching The Dream Team special it made me really want to win a gold medal. Can we get football into the Olympics on short notice?” Potential recognition from the IOC could allow football to continue its rapid global expansion, and would advance the likelihood of the sport becoming an addition to the lineup of officially sanctioned Olympic sports. “IOC recognition would give football more credibility in the sporting world and maybe help get attention so American people know that football is played around the world,” says IFAF president TOMMY WIKING. “The football is not as good as the NFL’s but it’s on a decent enough level to be IOC recognized.” Over the years, there have been many examples of NFL players with Olympic experiences or connections. A sampling of some of the past and present NFL players with Olympic experiences or connections (active players in bold/italics): PLAYER NFL TEAM(S) OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE/CONNECTION William Gay Arizona Cardinals Girlfriend Natasha Hastings won a gold medal in the

4x400m relay in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Nick Mangold New York Jets Sister Holley Mangold will compete in women’s weightlifting in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Aaron Ross Jacksonville Jaguars Wife Sanya Richards-Ross will compete in her third consecutive Olympics at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Richards-Ross won a bronze medal in the 400m in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Richard Adjei Rhein Fire and Berlin Thunder (NFL Europe) Won a silver medal in two-man bobsled for Germany in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Jeremy Bloom Philadelphia Eagles Competed in moguls in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Brady Quinn Kansas City Chiefs Girlfriend Alicia Sacramone is a former Olympic gymnast who won a silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Herschel Walker Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants

Competed as a pusher in two-man bobsled in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.

Michael Bates Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets

Bronze medalist in the 200m in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

James Jett Los Angeles Raiders, Oakland Raiders Gold medalist in the 4x100m relay in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Ron Brown Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Raiders Gold medalist in the 4x100m relay in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Michael Carter San Francisco 49ers Silver medalist in the shot put in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Jim Hines Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs Two-time gold medalist in the 100m and 4x100m relay in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

“Bullet” Bob Hayes Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers Two-time gold medalist in the 100m and 4x100m relay in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Ollie Matson Chicago Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles

Silver medalist in the 4x400m relay and bronze medalist in the 400m in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

Sam Francis Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers

Placed fourth in the shot put in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Jack Riley Boston Redskins Silver medalist in wrestling in the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Dudley DeGroot Washington Redskins Gold medalist in rugby in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Jim Thorpe Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals

Two-time gold medalist in the pentathlon and decathlon in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. Also appeared in exhibition Olympic baseball games.

BEST NFL RECORDS, PAST 10 YEARS Over the past 10 years, six NFL teams have posted a winning percentage of .600 or better, led by the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (123-37, .769). Under the guidance of head coach BILL BELICHICK (right), the Patriots have won two Super Bowls and qualified for the postseason eight times during that span. “Bill Belichick and his success is something to behold,” says CBS analyst and former NFL quarterback BOOMER ESIASON. “It is especially impressive in this day and age with the salary cap, where dynasties are hard to put together and then keep together. “He is the greatest coach of his generation, there is no doubting that. He certainly belongs on the Mount Rushmore of head coaches in the NFL.” The teams with the best regular-season records over the past 10 seasons (2002-11):

TEAM W L T PCT. PLAYOFF BERTHS SUPER BOWL BERTHS SUPER BOWL WINS New England 123 37 0 .769 8 4 2 Indianapolis 111 49 0 .694 9 2 1 Pittsburgh 105 54 1 .659 7 3 2 Philadelphia 99 60 1 .622 7 1 0 Green Bay 99 61 0 .619 7 1 1 San Diego 96 64 0 .600 5 0 0

MODIFIED SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME For the 2010 postseason, the NFL installed a modified sudden death system to determine the winner when the score is tied at the end of regulation. Beginning in 2012, the system has been expanded to cover all NFL games, including regular-season and preseason games. Teams have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in the extra period unless the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession. The changes are meant to aid competitive fairness while adding a wrinkle of additional strategy for head coaches. “We felt this proposal gave us the opportunity to make a pretty good rule even better,” says Atlanta Falcons President/CEO and Chairman of the NFL Competition Committee RICH MC KAY. “I really believe the more you talk about the issue, the more you understand the statistics, the more you say there must be a change.” Here’s a look at the NFL’s overtime procedures:

PRESEASON AND REGULAR SEASON

At the end of regulation time, the referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

• Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, there shall be a maximum of one 15-minute period. Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession.

• Play continues in sudden death until a winner is

determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team shall be entitled to two timeouts, and if there is an excess timeout, the usual rules shall apply. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.

• If the score is tied at the end of the 15-minute

overtime period, the game shall result in a tie.

• Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay official.

POSTSEASON

At the end of regulation time, the referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

• Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued in 15-minute periods until a winner is declared. Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession.

• Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team has three time outs per half and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular game. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.

• Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to

be initiated by the replay official.

Key Definitions:

• Possession: Actual possession of the ball with complete control. The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.

• Opportunity to possess: The opportunity to possess occurs only during kicking plays. A kickoff is an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or a field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receivers. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.

OVERTIME EXCITEMENT In 2011, an impressive 66.8 percent of all games (171 of 256) were within one score in the fourth quarter. With so many close games, it’s no surprise that 13 were ultimately decided in overtime, including four OT victories by the Arizona Cardinals, a single-season NFL record. Originally in effect for the 2010 postseason, the new rules for modified sudden death overtime – which have been expanded to the regular season and preseason for 2012 (see previous page) – were utilized for the first time during the 2011 postseason. Denver beat Pittsburgh in the AFC Wild Card round in the shortest overtime game in NFL history (11 seconds) and the New York Giants outlasted San Francisco in overtime of the NFC Championship Game en route to a Super Bowl XLVI championship. From rookie PATRICK PETERSON’s game-clinching 99-yard punt-return touchdown (below left) in the Cardinals’ 19-13 overtime decision against the Rams in November to DEMARYIUS THOMAS’ 80-yard game-winning touchdown catch (below right) in the Broncos’ 29-23 overtime playoff victory against the Steelers, 2011 was full of exciting OT action. See page 508 of the 2012 NFL Record & Fact Book for all of last season’s overtime game summaries. The NFL teams with the best overtime records since the system was instituted in 1974:

TEAM RECORD WIN PCT. Jacksonville 7-4-0 .636 Denver 25-15-2 .620 Washington 22-14-1 .608 Buffalo 18-12-0 .600 Arizona 22-15-2 .589

A sampling of individual overtime records:

LONGEST TOUCHDOWN PASS LONGEST TOUCHDOWN PLAYS 99 Yards Ron Jaworski to Mike Quick, Philadelphia 23,

Atlanta 17 (11/10/85) 99 Yards (Pass) Ron Jaworski to Mike Quick,

Philadelphia 23, Atlanta 17 (11/10/85) 82 Yards Tom Brady to Troy Brown, New England 19, Miami 13

(10/19/03) (Punt return) Patrick Peterson,

Arizona 19, St. Louis 13 (11/6/11) Brett Favre to Greg Jennings, Green Bay 19,

Denver 13 (10/29/07) 96 Yards (Run) Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 36,

New York Jets 30 (9/6/98) 76 Yards Troy Aikman to Raghib Ismail, Dallas 41,

Washington 35 (9/12/99) (Kickoff return) Chad Morton, New York Jets 37,

Buffalo 31 (9/8/02)

LONGEST TOUCHDOWN RUN LONGEST FIELD GOAL 96 Yards Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 36, New York Jets 30

(9/6/98) 57 Yards Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland 16,

New York Jets 13 (10/19/08) 60 Yards Herschel Walker, Dallas 23, New England 17

(11/15/87) 53 Yards Chris Jacke, Green Bay 23, San Francisco 20

(10/4/96) 50 Yards Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh 15, Atlanta 9

(9/12/10) 52 Yards Mike Cofer, Indianapolis 27, New York Jets 24

(9/10/95) Matt Prater, Denver 18, Miami 15 (10/23/11)

THE FAMOUS LOVE THE NFL! If you take your eyes off the stars on the field, you can’t help but notice the stars in the stands. Famous NFL fans are everywhere – even in other sports! From athletes and politicians to actors and singers, celebrities of all varieties love the NFL and proudly show their allegiances with gear, game day attendance and even ownership.

The Miami Dolphins feature a celebrity-stacked roster of limited partners, including singers and musicians FERGIE (left), who performed with the Black Eyed Peas at Super Bowl XLV, MARC ANTHONY, GLORIA and EMILIO ESTEFAN and JENNIFER LOPEZ and tennis players SERENA and VENUS WILLIAMS. Actor SAMUEL L. JACKSON has appeared in “Rise Up” commercials for the Atlanta Falcons since 2010 to promote attendance on game days. Iconic figures in other sports also spend their Sundays following NFL games, including New York Yankees general manager BRIAN CASHMAN (New York Giants) and pitcher CC SABATHIA (Oakland Raiders), NASCAR driver KASEY KAHNE (Seattle Seahawks), golfer PHIL MICKELSON (San Diego Chargers) and Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS (Baltimore Ravens).

Even two notable sportscasters – CHRIS BERMAN (Buffalo Bills) and DICK VITALE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – display support for their favorite NFL clubs. The NFL is also a fixture in the White House as President BARACK OBAMA vocally advocates the Chicago Bears while Vice President JOE BIDEN roots for the Philadelphia Eagles. Former President GEORGE H.W. BUSH, the 41st leader of the United States, is one of the Houston Texans’ most-recognizable fans. Here are some celebrities and their favorite NFL teams:

NAME FAVORITE TEAM NAME FAVORITE TEAM Ben Affleck, Actor New England Patriots Kid Rock, Singer Detroit Lions Jessica Alba, Actress Oakland Raiders Ashton Kutcher, Actor Chicago Bears Carmelo Anthony, NY Knicks Baltimore Ravens Taylor Lautner, Actor Indianapolis Colts Marc Anthony, Limited Partner/Actor/Singer Miami Dolphins David Letterman, Comedian Indianapolis Colts Chris Berman, ESPN Broadcaster Buffalo Bills Jennifer Lopez, Lim. Partner/Singer Miami Dolphins Vice President Joe Biden Philadelphia Eagles Lil Wayne, Rapper Green Bay Packers Jon Bon Jovi, Singer New York Giants Ludacris, Singer Atlanta Falcons Former President George H.W. Bush Houston Texans Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay Rays Mgr. Arizona Cardinals Drew Carey, Comedian Cleveland Browns Dave Matthews, Singer Seattle Seahawks Nick Carter, Musician Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tim McGraw, Singer Tennessee Titans Dana Carvey, Actor San Francisco 49ers John Mellencamp, Singer Indianapolis Colts James Carville, Political Personality New Orleans Saints Phil Mickelson, Golfer San Diego Chargers Brian Cashman, NY Yankees GM New York Giants Nelly, Singer St. Louis Rams Josh Charles, Actor Baltimore Ravens President Barack Obama Chicago Bears Kenny Chesney, Singer New Orleans Saints Apolo Ohno, Olympic Speedskater Seattle Seahawks George Clooney, Actor Cincinnati Bengals David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox Green Bay Packers Sean “Diddy” Combs, Rap Artist/Actor Pittsburgh Steelers Brad Paisley, Singer Cleveland Browns David Cook, Singer Kansas City Chiefs Arnold Palmer, Golfer Pittsburgh Steelers Matt Damon, Actor New England Patriots Trey Parker & Matt Stone, TV Writers Denver Broncos Brooklyn Decker, Model/Actress Carolina Panthers Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimmer Baltimore Ravens Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs Chicago Bears Prince, Singer Minnesota Vikings Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder Washington Redskins Paul Rudd, Actor Kansas City Chiefs Emilio Estefan, Limited Partner/Musician Miami Dolphins CC Sabathia, NY Yankees Oakland Raiders Gloria Estefan, Lim. Partner/Actress/Singer Miami Dolphins Adam Sandler, Actor New York Jets Fergie, Limited Partner/Singer Miami Dolphins Bob Seger, Singer Detroit Lions Tina Fey, Actress Philadelphia Eagles Blake Shelton, Singer Arizona Cardinals Jamie Foxx, Actor Dallas Cowboys Will Smith, Actor Philadelphia Eagles Jennifer Garner, Actress San Francisco 49ers Snoop Dog, Actor/Singer Pittsburgh Steelers Gene Hackman, Actor Jacksonville Jaguars Taylor Swift, Singer Philadelphia Eagles Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers Dallas Cowboys Usher, Singer Tennessee Titans Josh Hartnett, Actor Minnesota Vikings Vince Vaughn, Actor Chicago Bears Faith Hill, Singer Tennessee Titans Dick Vitale, Broadcaster Tampa Bay Buccaneers John Isner, Tennis Carolina Panthers Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat Chicago Bears Samuel L. Jackson, Actor Atlanta Falcons Mark Wahlberg, Actor New England Patriots Kevin James, Actor New York Jets Robin Williams, Actor San Francisco 49ers LeBron James, Miami Heat Dallas Cowboys Serena Williams, Lim. Partner/Tennis Miami Dolphins Kasey Kahne, NASCAR Driver Seattle Seahawks Venus Williams, Lim. Partner/Tennis Miami Dolphins

BEST OPENING MONTH RECORDS, PAST 10 YEARS Getting off to a strong start is important. Over the past 10 years, 14 teams have a winning record through the season’s first month. Those 14 clubs have combined for 78 playoff appearances in that span and have won all 10 Super Bowl championships. The teams with winning opening-month records over the past 10 seasons (2002-11):

TEAM RECORD PCT. TEAM RECORD PCT. Indianapolis 24-8-0 .750 Green Bay 20-14-0 .588 New England 22-9-0 .710 New Orleans 19-14-0 .576 Denver 23-11-0 .676 Philadelphia 19-14-0 .576 Dallas 21-11-0 .656 Washington 17-14-0 .548 New York Giants 20-12-0 .625 Tampa Bay 18-15-0 .545 Seattle 20-12-0 .625 Atlanta 17-16-0 .515 Baltimore 19-12-0 .613 Pittsburgh 20-13-0 .606

65 YEARS AGO ON OPENING DAY – A RECORD 87 POINTS! Sixty-five years ago, the WASHINGTON REDSKINS and PHILADELPHIA EAGLES opened the 1947 season with a record-breaking bang. The Eagles outscored the Redskins 45-42 on September 28 before a crowd of 35,406 in Philadelphia’s Municipal Stadium. The 87-point total was an NFL record and continues to stand as the most points scored in a game on Kickoff Weekend. (The record for most combined points in any NFL game is 113 by Washington (72) and the New York Giants (41) on November 27, 1966.) The 12-touchdown scoring blitz, an NFL record at the time, was highlighted by the play of two future Pro Football Hall of Famers – Washington quarterback SAMMY BAUGH (left) and Philadelphia halfback STEVE VAN BUREN. Baugh, whose 1947 totals in completions (210), attempts (354) and yards passing (2,938) were NFL records, threw for 364 yards and five touchdowns, including three to rookie end HUGH TAYLOR. Van Buren, whose 1,008 rushing yards for the year were also a league record, returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and rushed for another while totaling 98 yards on the ground.

September 28, 1947, Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

Washington 0 14 14 14 -- 42 Philadelphia 10 14 14 7 -- 45

Phi - FG Muha 40 Phi - Pihos 19 pass from Thompson (Patton kick) Was - Nussbaumer 25 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick) Was - Taylor 62 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick) Phi - Van Buren 95 kickoff return (Patton kick) Phi - Sherman 1 run (Patton kick) Was - Saenz 94 kickoff return (Poillon kick) Phi - Van Buren 1 run (Patton kick) Phi - Pihos 21 pass from Thompson (Patton kick) Was - Poillon 4 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick) Phi - Armstrong 29 pass from Thompson (Patton kick) Was - Taylor 36 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick) Was - Taylor 18 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)

61 YEARS AGO ON KICKOFF WEEKEND: THE DUTCHMAN GOES WILD! Los Angeles Rams quarterback NORM “THE DUTCHMAN” VAN BROCKLIN (left) entered the 1951 season entrenched in a duel for the starting position with veteran BOB WATERFIELD. A Waterfield injury sidelined the incumbent quarterback prior to the season opener against the New York Yanks on September 28, and opened the door for Van Brocklin to show his worth. He took advantage of the opportunity by producing the most prolific passing performance in NFL history. Van Brocklin threw for an NFL-record 554 yards in a 54-14 rout of the Yanks at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback tossed five touchdowns and completed 27 of 41 passes. “It’s the finest exhibition of passing I’ve ever seen,” said Rams coach JIMMY PHELAN after the game. “Van Brocklin was hitting them in the eye practically every time he threw the ball.” Van Brocklin, who passed away at the age of 57 in 1983, remained subdued about the performance. “Everything I threw seemed to be caught and run for a long gain,” he said.

The Rams’ TOM FEARS averaged 23.1 yards on his seven catches and ELROY “CRAZYLEGS” HIRSCH averaged 19.2 yards on nine receptions. Los Angeles amassed an NFL-record 735 total yards and 34 first downs. “They don’t need me out here anymore,” said Waterfield after the game. The two quarterbacks would split time for the rest of the season as the Rams captured the 1951 NFL Championship. Van Brocklin’s record has stood for the past 61 years. Former Houston Oilers quarterback WARREN MOON came the closest to breaking Van Brocklin’s mark with a 527-yard day against Kansas City on December 16, 1990.

The top passing performances in various levels of football:

LEAGUE QUARTERBACK DATE PERFORMANCE High School David Koral, Pacific Palisades, CA September 22, 2000 764 yards vs. Grant, CA NCAA Division I-A (FBS) David Klingler, Houston December 2, 1990 716 yards vs. Arizona St. NCAA Division III Zamir Amin, Menlo October 7, 2000 731 yards vs. Cal Lutheran Canadian Football League Matt Dunigan, Winnipeg July 14, 1994 713 yards vs. Edmonton NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) Jamie Martin, Weber St. November 23, 1991 624 yards vs. Idaho St. NCAA Division II J.J. Harp, Eastern New Mexico September 12, 2009 695 yards vs. Southeastern OK. NFL Norm Van Brocklin, LA Rams September 28, 1951 554 yards vs. NY Yanks

ANNIVERSARY ANNALS There are plenty of anniversaries being celebrated in the NFL this season. A sampling:

Anniversary Celebration 120th William “Pudge” Heffelfinger becomes the first professional football player (1892). 115th The Latrobe Athletic Association football team becomes the first team to play a full season with only

professional players (1897). 110th A precursor to what would eventually become the Super Bowl called the World Series of Pro Football is

played for the first time (1902). 90th The American Professional Football Association changes its name to the National Football League

(1922). 80th The Washington Redskins franchise plays its first season. The team is founded in Boston and is called

the Braves (1932). 80th Official statistics are kept for the first time (1932). 80th On December 18, 1932, the NFL has its first playoff game and first indoor game. Chicago’s Wrigley

Field is scheduled to host the game but a blizzard makes it impossible to play, and the game is moved indoors to Chicago Stadium.

80th Season The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise plays its first season. The team is called the Pirates (1933). The Philadelphia Eagles franchise plays its first season (1933).

60th The Pittsburgh Steelers are the last pro team to abandon the single-wing in favor of the T-formation (1952).

50th The NFL reaches a single-network agreement with CBS for telecasting all regular-season games for $4.65 million annually (1962).

50th Season The Pro Football Hall of Fame is established (1963). 50th Season The Chiefs franchise moves to Kansas City (1963).

45th The Green Bay Packers defeat the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in the coldest NFL game on record: the 1967 NFL Championship dubbed forevermore as the “Ice Bowl.”

45th On August 15, 1967, Denver defeats Detroit in a preseason game, 13-7, to notch the AFL’s first win over an NFL team.

40th The Miami Dolphins complete the NFL’s only perfect championship season (1972). 40th The “Immaculate Reception” touchdown was scored in an AFC Divisional playoff game by the

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Franco Harris on December 23, 1972. 30th The inbounds lines are moved closer to the center of the field so that they are 23 yards, 1 foot, 9 inches

from the sidelines (1972). 25th The first two NFL games on ESPN produce the two highest-rated and most-watched sports programs

in basic cable history (1987). 10th The NFL kicks off on Thursday night for the first time in history (2002). 10th The Houston Texans franchise is founded (2002).

OWNER MILESTONES Many NFL owners will be celebrating notable milestones in 2012, ranging from Arizona’s WILLIAM V. BIDWILL, whose family has reached the 80th anniversary of when his father, CHARLES W. BIDWILL, purchased the team then known as the Chicago Cardinals in 1932, to Miami’s STEPHEN M. ROSS, who enters his fifth season as an NFL owner. Some owner milestones for 2012:

FRANCHISE OWNER YEAR ACQUIRED MILESTONE Arizona Cardinals William V. Bidwill

(Son of Charles W. Bidwill) 1932 80th Anniversary

Pittsburgh Steelers Arthur J. Rooney II (Grandson of Art Rooney)

1933 80th Season

Cincinnati Bengals Mike Brown (Son of Paul Brown) 1967 45th Anniversary Indianapolis Colts James Irsay (Son of Robert Irsay) 1972 40th Anniversary San Francisco 49ers Denise DeBartolo York

(Daughter of Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr.) 1977 35th Anniversary

Carolina Panthers Jerry Richardson 1993 20th Season Seattle Seahawks Paul Allen 1997 15th Anniversary Cleveland Browns Randolph D. Lerner (Son of Al Lerner) 1998 15th Season Atlanta Falcons Arthur M. Blank 2002 10th Anniversary Miami Dolphins Stephen M. Ross 2008 5th Season

CHIEFS TO CELEBRATE 50 SEASONS IN KANSAS CITY

The 2012 season will mark the 50th year the Chiefs have called Kansas City home. The late LAMAR HUNT, who founded the Dallas Texans, moved the team to Kansas City in 1963. The storied franchise has made two Super Bowl (I, IV) appearances during its time in Kansas City, including a 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. “My father (Lamar) knew there was something special about this place, and he was right,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO CLARK HUNT said. “Over the last five decades, we have been honored to call Kansas City the home of the Chiefs, and in celebration of our 50th year in Kansas City, we want to say ‘thank you’ to the best fans in the NFL. Throughout the 2012 season, the Chiefs will host fan events, recognize special Kansas Citians and thank season ticket holders to show our deep gratitude for this community and how proud we are to be Kansas City’s Chiefs.” The Chiefs launched their first initiative in April when the club announced all season ticket account holders would receive a complimentary, personalized Chiefs Nike jersey with a name and uniform number of their choice.

Among the other highlights in celebrating Kansas City, the Chiefs will pay tribute to 50 Kansas Citians who have shaped the Kansas City area. Ten of these 50 fans will be celebrated individually at each Chiefs home game during the 2012 season. The Chiefs are also asking fans to share their fondest memories on kcchiefs.com. Fans will be asked to submit photos and thoughts on the team website that recap their favorite Chiefs memories.

The organization will continue their long tradition of service and outreach in the community, highlighted by the club’s commitment to help rebuild Joplin, Missouri. On June 15, 150 Chiefs employees, including players, coaches, executives and front office members returned to Joplin (left) to take part in the next step of rebuilding homes in a community that was devastated by a tornado in May 2011. The club will also provide resources, time and finances to build a 3,500 square foot Chiefs-themed playground at Emerson Elementary School in Joplin. “We’ve talked about this before, there is a Chiefs Kingdom,” says Chiefs general manager SCOTT PIOLI. “Any place out here that is affected by anything like this, we’re going to help just like the fans are there to help us.”

REDSKINS & STEELERS CELEBRATE MILESTONES The WASHINGTON REDSKINS and PITTSBURGH STEELERS will celebrate big milestones this season. The Redskins will celebrate the team’s 80th anniversary while the Steelers will honor their past as the team plays its 80th season. Here’s a brief look at the history of the two franchises and plans on how they will celebrate in 2012: WASHINGTON REDSKINS

GEORGE PRESTON MARSHALL (left) headed a group that secured an NFL franchise for Boston in 1932 and named the team the Braves. Marshall bought out his partners within a year, and renamed the club the Redskins. In 1937, Marshall moved the team to Washington. JACK KENT COOKE bought the club in 1974 and owned it until his death in 1997. He hired head coach JOE GIBBS in 1981, and in the next 12 seasons Gibbs won more than two-thirds of his games (140-65) and three Super Bowl championships. DANIEL SNYDER purchased the team soon after Cooke’s passing. “I think this is the greatest sports franchise in the world, with the greatest fan base in the world,” says Gibbs, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. The Redskins’ season-long 80th anniversary campaign themed “Hail to our Fans,” will commemorate the team’s history and include a series of events culminating in the Redskins’ homecoming game against the Carolina Panthers on November 4.

In May, the Redskins unveiled their new 2012 “anniversary” uniforms designed by Nike to create a look that spoke to the club’s unique heritage. The alternate “anniversary” uniform is a balance between history and tradition featuring a rich, darker color palate. It is a modern interpretation of those worn back in 1937, a year signifying the team’s move from Boston to Washington, D.C., as well as their first championship. The jerseys will be worn in two home games this season. PITTSBURGH STEELERS The Pittsburgh Steelers have been an important part of the league’s membership since 1933, when ART ROONEY SR. (right) founded the team as the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rooney later changed the team name to “Steelers” in 1940 to more properly represent the city’s dominant steel industry. Pittsburgh struggled during its first four decades of existence, but that all changed during the 1970s, when the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years. Most recently, the Steelers captured Super Bowl XL and XLIII and surpassed Dallas and San Francisco with an NFL-best six Super Bowl titles (IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, XLIII). “A study of history is a window into the future, particularly when you are talking about football and this organization,” says Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN. “You can learn so many lessons, formally and informally, from the experiences of those who have come before us.” The Steelers have plenty to celebrate in their 80th season, and have declared it “The Year of the Fan,” which will feature a broad range of events and festivities that will celebrate the legacy of the team, its players and its fans. “I feel that Steelers fans are the best fans in all of sports, bar none,” says Pittsburgh quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER. The Steelers will don throwback uniforms for two games in 2012 in celebration of the 80th season. The throwback uniforms represent the jerseys worn during the 1934 season. The team elected the 1934 season jerseys to display a unique part of franchise history during their 80th season celebration.

TEAM HISTORY CHART

ALL-TIME RECORD DIVISION TITLES CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS NFL TITLES Steelers 591-537-21 20

(1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010)

8 (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1995, 2005, 2008, 2010)

6* (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008)

Redskins 575-544-27 12 (1936, 1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1972, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1991, 1999)

5 (1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1991)

5** (1937, 1942, 1982, 1987, 1991)

*Won Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, XLIII ** Won Super Bowls XVII, XXII, XXVI

Washington Redskins Anniversary Jersey Pittsburgh Steelers Throwback Jersey

80 YEARS AGO: THE NFL INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP One of the most significant games in NFL history occurred 80 years ago at the end of the 1932 season. Both the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans (renamed the Detroit Lions in 1934) finished the season in a first-ever tie for first. Chicago was 6-1-6 and Portsmouth 6-1-4. Since the teams had already tied twice during the season, the league office ruled that a “playoff,” which counted toward the season standings, would be needed to determine a champion. Chicago’s Wrigley Field was scheduled to host the game but a blizzard made it impossible to play, and the game was moved indoors to Chicago Stadium. So on December 18, 1932, the NFL had its first playoff game...and first indoor game. The history-making didn’t stop there. Because of space limitations, the field was only 80 yards long, and the following changes were dictated:

• Kickoffs from the 10-yard line. • Teams penalized 20 yards when crossing midfield, thus making the field 100 yards long. • Goal posts moved from end line to goal line.* • Field goals not allowed. • Ball spotted on hashmarks drawn 10 yards from each sideline.

*Later adopted for all league games.

Perhaps the most significant development of the game occurred on a play in the scoreless fourth quarter. Bears back BRONKO NAGURSKI (left) took a snap from the two-yard line, faked a run, dropped back to pass and connected with back RED GRANGE for the game-winning touchdown. But a controversy immediately arose as to where Nagurski was when he threw the ball. The rule at the time stated that a forward pass had to be thrown from at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage. The officials overruled Portsmouth’s protest that Nagurski was not five yards from scrimmage, and the touchdown stood. Chicago went on to win 9-0 and claimed its second league championship. At a February league meeting, the NFL was changed forever when a forward pass thrown from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage was legalized. Also, as a result of the success of the game, the league was divided into two divisions with the division winners meeting in an annual championship game.

45 YEARS AGO: “THE ICE BOWL” Great players. Great coaches. Great plays. Arctic weather. They all combined for one of the most memorable games in NFL history. Forty-five years ago, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in the coldest NFL game on record: the 1967 NFL Championship dubbed forevermore as the “Ice Bowl.”

The Cowboys came to Green Bay as upstarts seeking their first NFL title and had the momentum of a 52-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the Eastern Conference Championship Game the week before. In addition, the Cowboys had gained experience from their narrow 34-27 loss to Green Bay in the 1966 NFL Championship when quarterback DON MEREDITH’s possible game-tying pass was intercepted in the end zone with 28 seconds remaining. Green Bay entered the contest as two-time defending NFL champions, vying to become the first team in league history to win three consecutive championships since the playoff system was instituted in 1933. But the Packers were not the same club that had dominated the league in the early and mid-1960s. They were older, had struggled to a 9-4-1 record, and were without future Pro Football Hall of Fame running backs PAUL HORNUNG (retired) and JIM TAYLOR (with New Orleans) for the first time. Packers quarterback BART STARR (left) knew his team was in for a stiff challenge. “Coach (VINCE) LOMBARDI was quick to point out all week long how good the Cowboys were and what respect he had for them,” said Starr. “We had seen the year before when they were a younger team how well they had played against us in the championship game down in Dallas. We knew this was going to be a special game and it was.”

What was already a great matchup was made more intriguing by the sub-zero temperature. The official game-time temperature was 13 degrees below zero with the wind chill at minus 48 degrees. It was – and remains – the coldest game in NFL history. “It was 20 degrees the day before,” said Cowboys head coach TOM LANDRY. “It was great. Vince (Lombardi) and I were together that night and we talked about how good the conditions were and what a great game it would be.” But a cold front was moving in, and by the next morning, it had arrived. “The operator said, ‘It’s 7:30 AM and 19 below,’” said Cowboys linebacker LEE ROY JORDAN. “I got up out of bed, looked out the window and saw 40 other guys staring out in disbelief. It was cold.” “We weren’t prepared for that kind of cold,” said JIM TUNNEY, who served as the alternate referee of the game and patrolled the Packers’ sidelines. “We went out that morning and rousted the store owners out of bed. We got more thermals and gloves.” When the teams arrived at the stadium, they found the field nearly frozen. A layer of condensation had built up between the field and the covering tarpaulin the night before. When the tarpaulin was removed and the field was exposed to the bitter cold, it froze. “Astroturf was like a pillow compared to this,” said Packers running back CHUCK MERCEIN. The Packers began the game like two-time defending champions. Starr hit wide receiver BOYD DOWLER with an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Green Bay a 7-0 first-quarter lead. In the second quarter on third-and-one, Starr connected with Dowler again, this time for a 46-yard touchdown and a 14-0 advantage. But the Cowboys began adjusting to the cold and came to life in the second quarter. “After you forget about how cold it is and all the other things that are going through your mind, you just figure you’ve got to go play football,” said Cowboys cornerback CORNELL GREEN (right). “They weren’t going to cancel the game or call it off so you better get it in, try to play and try to win. That’s when we started playing better.” The Dallas defense stepped up. Defensive end GEORGE ANDRIE recovered a Starr fumble and returned it seven yards for a touchdown, cutting the Packers’ lead to 14-7. Another Green Bay fumble led to a second Dallas score – a 21-yard field goal by kicker DANNY VILLANUEVA. The Cowboys had stormed back and trailed by only a 14-10 score at halftime. Despite the freezing temperatures, 50,861 fans braved the cold. The game was a sellout. “The fans were tough to stay out there and watch that game,” said Green. “I have to give them a lot of credit. There’s some tough people in Green Bay.”

When the second half began, the Cowboys continued their defensive dominance and stifled the Packers. The Dallas offense started to move the ball and was poised for a score at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Running back DAN REEVES took a handoff, ran to his left, stopped to throw and hit a wide-open LANCE RENTZEL for a 50-yard touchdown and the Cowboys’ first lead of the game, 17-14.

“It was a difficult play,” said Landry. “I don’t think the Packers expected it. They didn’t expect that we would throw a pass like that. It was a big play and it put us into position to win the game.” It was the biggest play of the game to that point. But Green Bay wasn’t finished. After playing a 37:15 stretch without scoring, the Packers found themselves down to their last chance. With 5:04 remaining in the game and trailing 17-14, Green Bay received a punt at its own 32-yard line and began one of the greatest touchdown drives in NFL history. A third NFL championship awaited 68 yards away. “We were ready on that last drive,” said Starr. “We were totally focused on what we needed to do in order to go down and win the ballgame. As I looked into the eyes of my teammates, I knew all I had to do was call the play.” And to add that last bit of incentive, linebacker RAY NITSCHKE (left) roared from the sidelines, “Don’t let me down! Don’t let me down!”

On first down, Starr passed to running back DONNY ANDERSON for six yards. Mercein ran around right end for seven. Starr completed his second pass of the drive to Dowler for 13 yards. The Packers had crossed midfield, but on the next play, Anderson lost nine yards on a handoff. Starr regained those yards with a 12-yard pass to Anderson, but now faced third-and-seven at the Dallas 39. “One thing most people don’t know about that game,” said Starr, “was the excellent awareness of our two running backs, Anderson and Mercein. Twice during the final drive, they made me aware that they were open as secondary receivers.”

Starr completed his fourth pass of the drive to Anderson for nine yards and a first down. On the next play, he connected with a wide-open Mercein in the left flat who then ran to the Dallas 11 for a 19-yard gain. It was Starr’s final pass of the game. He finished a perfect five-for-five on the drive.

On the next play, with 1:11 remaining, Starr called “30 Give.” Tackle BOB SKORONSKI opened a hole with a powerful block and Mercein charged through the middle to the three-yard line for a gain of eight. “It is the best play I ever called in my career,” said Starr. “It’s hard to explain why we had not run it before that. I just didn’t feel that the time was correct, but at that moment I knew it was the play to call.”

Anderson took a handoff and gained two yards to give the Packers a first-and-goal at the one-yard line with 30 seconds remaining. Starr handed off to Anderson again, but he slipped and fell short of the goal line. They tried the same play again and got the same result. Starr called the Packers’ final timeout and asked his linemen if they had enough footing to run “31 Wedge.” They said they did. “31 Wedge” was put into the Packers’ playbook by Lombardi during the week after guard JERRY KRAMER (right) had noticed a weakness in the Cowboys’ short-yardage defense and suggested the play. On the sidelines, Starr suggested to Lombardi that he run it instead of the backs because of the poor traction. Lombardi replied, “Then run it and let’s get the hell out of here.” When the ball was snapped, Kramer and center KEN BOWMAN plowed into Cowboys defensive tackle JETHRO PUGH, opened a hole and Starr lunged through for the game-winning touchdown and a third consecutive NFL championship.

“I understood my responsibility,” said Kramer. “If I don’t get a great block, we don’t do it. I understood perfectly.” “I don’t know if the execution on that drive, under those conditions, will ever be surpassed,” said Packers tackle FORREST GREGG.

The Cowboys had time to try some desperation passes, but they all fell incomplete. The “Ice Bowl” was over. Packers 21, Cowboys 17. The Green Bay Packers were NFL champions again. They went on to win Super Bowl II two weeks later in somewhat warmer conditions in Miami, Florida.

“What that game meant was unbelievable,” said Starr. “We had fought through a very tough year. We won two consecutive championships prior to that and to have it come down to such brutal conditions and to win it in that fashion, from our perspective, we think it was the greatest game of all time.”

ICE BOWL SCORING

Dallas 0 10 0 7 17 Green Bay 7 7 0 7 21 GB: Dowler 8 pass from Starr (Chandler kick), 1st GB: Dowler 46 pass from Starr (Chandler kick), 2nd Dal: Andrie 7 fumble return (Villanueva kick), 2nd Dal: FG Villanueva 21, 2nd Dal: Rentzel 50 pass from Reeves (Villanueva kick), 4th GB: Starr 1 run (Chandler kick), 4th

50 YEARS OF PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME The Pro Football Hall of Fame will kick off its 50th year celebration with the unveiling of a commemorative “50 Years” logo during the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in August. The logo is just one of many ways in which the Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the milestone. A book titled The Pro Football Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary Book: Where Greatness Lives was released this summer. The spectacular new coffee table book, with a foreword by Pro Football Hall of Famer HOWIE LONG (right), includes essays written by some of pro football’s most noted writers. The essays are broken down by each decade starting with the pre-NFL era. The high-quality publication includes 150 rarely seen illustrations and photographs along with artifacts from the Hall’s vast collection. Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from each of the 273 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Also debuting as part of the “50 Years” celebration is the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s first large-scale traveling exhibit. “Gridiron Glory, The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” presents a panoramic view of the story of professional football from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to the sports phenomenon it has become today. The exhibit will include more than 200 artifacts from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s collection. The exhibit opens at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh on October 6. The Pro Football Hall of Fame stands as a tribute to the players who have made professional football America’s most popular sport. Since opening on September 7, 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has grown in both size and stature. The building was expanded in 1971, 1978 and 1995, and completed major exhibit gallery renovations in 2003, 2008 and 2009. Currently, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is entrenched in the museum’s largest expansion and renovation project in its history. Dubbed the “Future 50 Project,” the two-year $27 million dollar expansion and renovation has reached its midpoint. Ground was broken in August 2011 on the first phase of the project that has included three additions to the building. As a result, the Hall of Fame has grown from 85,000 square feet to 118,000 square feet. A grand entrance lobby, state-of-the-art archives and an indoor event center were added. In addition, a new administrative wing was constructed since previous office space was vacated to accommodate new and expanded exhibits that will be installed in the upcoming year. The entire expansion and renovation project will be completed in the summer of 2013 in time for the celebration of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary.

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE “IMMACULATE RECEPTION”

The man who pulled it off wasn’t where he was supposed to be. Two others involved didn’t even see it. The fourth participant didn’t believe it happened – legally, that is. And the man who would have been thrilled to see it was staring at elevator doors. Pittsburgh Steelers running back FRANCO HARRIS (left), fullback FRENCHY FUQUA, and quarterback TERRY BRADSHAW, former Oakland Raiders safety JACK TATUM and Steelers owner ART ROONEY were the main players in a moment that may be the most memorable in the history of the National Football League – the “Immaculate Reception” touchdown scored in the AFC Divisional Playoff game by the rookie Harris that magically occurred 40 years ago. The Participants – The Oakland Raiders, 1972 champions of the AFC Western Division with a 10-3-1 record, traveled to Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh to face the 11-3 AFC Central champion Steelers in the Divisional Playoff game. It was the Steelers’ second playoff contest in their 40-year history. In 1947, they lost their first postseason game to Philadelphia 21-0.

“The Immaculate Reception,” said Harris, “was really the start of a great decade for the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Pittsburgh would collect four Super Bowl titles in six years during the 1970s.

The Prologue – With 50,350 fans – many of who had attended a raucous pep rally the night before directly across the street from the Raiders’ Hilton Hotel – looking on, the teams maneuvered to a relatively quiet first half.

Eleven minutes into the fourth quarter, the Steelers were up 6-0 thanks to two ROY GERELA field goals. That is where things got interesting. With three-and-a-half minutes left in the game, Oakland rookie quarterback KENNY STABLER, taking over for a flu-weakened DARYLE LAMONICA, took the Raiders 80 yards in a 12-play sequence that culminated with a 30-yard touchdown run.

After the kickoff, the Steelers were at their own 20 with 1:13 left.

The Play – After completing his first two passes, Bradshaw threw three consecutive incomplete passes before he was faced with a fourth-and-10 play from his own 40-yard line with 22 seconds left. After desperately scrambling in the pocket, Bradshaw rifled a pass to fullback Fuqua.

All three – Fuqua, Tatum and the ball – collided. “I hit him and I thought the game was ours,” said Tatum. “I looked down at him on the ground and he didn’t have the ball.”

The ball had rebounded like a rubber ball off a house, and headed straight for Harris. He was supposed to be in the backfield protecting Bradshaw, but he leaked out and tried to get open when he noticed the quarterback looking for a receiver.

“I saw Frenchy and Tatum go up,” said Harris. “I saw the ball go up in the air and I said ‘Oh no!’ But then I saw the ball coming toward me and I figured we’re not out of this yet.”

The ball caromed nearly eight yards backwards and was caught in full stride by Harris, a mere hair’s length away from the artificial turf at Three Rivers Stadium. Harris rumbled 60 yards and was surrounded by fans as he entered the end zone.

The Postscript – There was no signal by referee FRED SWEARINGEN on whether the touchdown counted. Both teams – and fans – ran onto the field, trying to find out what had happened, and what was going to be ruled. There were still 15 seconds to go in the game.

The lingering question surrounding the play was whom did the ball carom off of: Fuqua or Tatum? The 1972 NFL rulebook stated “If a defensive player touches a pass first, or simultaneously with or subsequent to its having been touched by only one eligible offensive player, then all offensive players become and remain eligible.”

The Raiders said the ball bounced from Fuqua to Harris. “I came up and hit him from behind, and there wasn’t any way I could have made contact with that ball,” Tatum said.

After a conference call with the officiating crew, Swearingen disappeared into a dugout, and got on the phone to the press box to speak to ART MC NALLY, the NFL supervisor of officials. Swearingen said to McNally: “Two of my men ruled that the ball was touched by opposing players (Tatum and Fuqua), and caught by Harris,” and that therefore the reception was legal, as was the touchdown. He then put the receiver down, ran back to the field, and signaled … touchdown! And 50,350 fans erupted.

Prior to the miraculous play and expecting a Steelers loss, Rooney, who purchased the team for $2,500 in 1933, snuffed out his cigar and entered an elevator for the long journey down to the field. By the time he reached the field, his club had completed the most improbable play in team history.

After the game, Fuqua approached Rooney and told him exactly what transpired during the play. Fuqua then asked Rooney if he could say what really happened during the play. Fuqua said, “Chief, I want to tell what happened so bad. What do you think?”

Rooney replied, “Frenchy, let it stay immaculate.”

40 YEARS AGO: THE PERFECT SEASON

It is fitting that the only team to achieve perfection in NFL history has a keepsake from that special season. The 1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS’ championship ring features one large diamond to represent their Super Bowl VII victory surrounded by 16 smaller diamonds – symbolizing the 16 victories it took to get there. In addition, one side of the ring is inscribed “Perfect Season” in honor of the club’s unprecedented 17-0 championship season. “That season is special because nobody has ever done it,” said the team’s Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback BOB GRIESE, of the Dolphins’ “Perfect Season,” whose 40th anniversary will be celebrated this year. “It was the ultimate victory,” said DON SHULA (right), the Dolphins’ head coach from 1970-95, the winningest coach in NFL history (347 victories) and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “It was so special because it was my first Super Bowl win and to have it come with a team that accomplished what that team accomplished made it all the more memorable.” But the road to the Super Bowl was not always smooth. In the fifth game of the season, the club lost Griese to an injury in the first quarter. Backup EARL MORRALL came in and threw two scoring passes in Miami’s 24-10 win over San Diego. The 38-year-old Morrall started the next 11 games for the Dolphins. “When I was coaching the Colts in 1968, Earl came on when JOHNNY UNITAS got hurt and did a great job to get us to the Super Bowl,” Shula recalled. “When he became available, I didn’t hesitate to bring him down to Miami as insurance for Griese. Earl just stepped in and gave us great confidence in the games that he started.” While Morrall’s leadership was essential, it was the Dolphins’ ground game which carried the offensive load. LARRY CSONKA (1,117) and MERCURY MORRIS (1,000) comprised the first teammate duo in NFL history to each reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the same season. The success of the running game epitomized the team’s selflessness. “We were a very unselfish team,” said former Dolphins defensive tackle MANNY FERNANDEZ. “A lot of players sacrificed their personal ambitions for the good of the team. PAUL WARFIELD, for example, was playing for a team that threw him the ball three times per game. In today’s game, he would be the ‘go-to guy’ with 10 passes a week going to him. He was more than willing to take that backseat to become a blocker in the running game.” Warfield, the Hall of Fame receiver who led the ’72 Dolphins with 606 receiving yards – a total lower than in any of his previous six seasons – agreed with Fernandez’ assessment. “The success of the team was paramount,” he said. “Everyone’s focus was to win and win at the highest level.” That desire to reach the highest level was fueled by failure one year earlier. “The drive for the whole season was the Super Bowl VI loss to Dallas,” said Griese. “There was nothing that was going to stop us from going to the Super Bowl and winning it.” “Our 17-0 happened because the Miami Dolphins football team had something to prove,” Warfield added. “We were humiliated in Super Bowl VI and when we came to training camp in 1972, our objective was to get back to the Super Bowl and to reinforce in our own minds – as well as those of the fans across the country – that we were a better football team.” “It was a very well-balanced team,” said Fernandez, who posted 10 tackles and one sack in the Super Bowl while playing for the team’s unsung defense, aptly called the “No-Name” defense. “The ‘No-Name’ defense took pride in the 11-man concept,” said Shula of a unit which allowed an NFL season-low 171 points. It was a concept embraced by the entire team. “The group was the essence of the word ‘team’,” said Warfield. “That is why we accomplished something that no one else has ever accomplished, and perhaps, something that no other team will ever accomplish in the history of this game.” “To me,” said Shula, “every team is separate and distinct. I have always felt that the reason you keep scores and the reason you keep records is to make determinations. Nobody has done what this team has done.”

1972 DOLPHINS “DID YOU KNOW?” • The 1972 Miami Dolphins played the AFC Championship Game on the road at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh due to a

rotating playoff site system. “We were a team that had more wins than anyone else and we had to take our show on the road,” said Warfield.

• “The game I remember most,” recalled Shula, “is the (October 1) Minnesota game.” The Dolphins trailed the Vikings 14-6 in

the fourth quarter. “We needed 10 points to win it,” Shula said. “I chose to go for the field goal first and GARO YEPREMIAN kicked a 51-yarder. Then we had to get the ball back, which we did, and we drove down for the touchdown. We needed those points and we got them.”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2012 The NEW YORK GIANTS need five regular-season victories to become the third team in NFL history with 650 regular-season victories. The Giants (645-531-33) would join Chicago (712-520-42) and Green Bay (679-525-36) as the only teams to accomplish the feat. The PITTSBURGH STEELERS (below) need nine victories to become the first AFC team to reach 600 total victories. Pittsburgh’s all-time record is 591-538-21. The ARIZONA CARDINALS need four regular-season victories to reach 500 regular-season victories. Arizona’s all-time regular-season record is 496-689-39. The SAN DIEGO CHARGERS need eight regular-season victories to reach 400 regular-season victories. San Diego’s all-time regular-season record is 392-385-11. The Chargers need to score a touchdown in their next game to join Cleveland (166 games from 1957-69) as the only teams in NFL history to score a touchdown in 150 consecutive games. San Diego has scored a touchdown in each of its past 149 games.

THE EMPIRE STATE STRIKES BACK It sounds like the plot of a Hollywood film: a 9-7 team clinches a playoff berth on the last day of the regular season and then rallies to win four playoff games to capture a Super Bowl championship. The best part? It’s fact, not fiction.

With a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI (left), the NEW YORK GIANTS won their eighth NFL championship, the third-most in league history (Green Bay 13, Chicago 9). New York also became the fifth team in the past seven years to play in the Wild Card round and win the Super Bowl. The 2007 Giants also accomplished the feat when they won Super Bowl XLII. The Giants, who ended the Patriots’ bid for an undefeated season with a 17-14 victory over New England in Super Bowl XLII, have now won four of their five Super Bowl appearances.

The parallels between the 2007 and 2011 seasons are not to be overlooked. “Like the 2007 season, we started off fast, then we hit a rocky road where we weren’t playing our best football,” says Giants quarterback ELI MANNING, who was named the MVP of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. “But, when we needed a win, when we needed to start playing better, we came together as a team.” Following a 28-14 loss to Washington on Kickoff Weekend, the Giants went on a three-game winning streak against St. Louis, Philadelphia and Arizona. A key contributor during that early winning streak and throughout the season was wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ, who set a single-season club record with 1,536 receiving yards. After beginning the season at No. 4 on the depth chart, Cruz made a splash against Philadelphia in Week 4, posting three catches for 110 yards and his first two career touchdowns. His standout regular season also included a 99-yard touchdown against the Jets, the longest pass play in team history and the 13th 99-yard TD in NFL annals. “To have this type of success is mind blowing,” says Cruz, who signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent from the University of Massachusetts in 2010. “I am just grateful for every opportunity I have been given here with the Giants.” After a 3-1 start to the season, New York lost a 36-25 decision to Seattle at home, but followed with another three-game winning streak that was punctuated by a 24-20 victory at New England in Week 9. With a 6-2 record at the season’s halfway point, the first-place Giants held a two-game lead in the NFC East. But a difficult schedule in November and early December brought with it a four-game losing streak for the Giants, including close losses to San Francisco, Philadelphia and Green Bay. The Giants rebounded by outlasting Dallas, 37-34, in Week 14, but lost to Washington the following week. Sitting at 7-7 behind the first-place Cowboys, the Giants stepped up to beat their hometown rival Jets in Week 16 and Dallas in Week 17 to secure their 31st playoff appearance, the most of any team in NFL history. New York carried that momentum into the playoffs, dispatching Atlanta by a score of 24-2 in the Wild Card round to set up a meeting with the No. 1-seeded Packers. The Giants earned a 37-20 victory at Lambeau Field to advance to the NFC Championship Game, where they avenged their regular-season loss to San Francisco by knocking off the 49ers 20-17 in overtime at Candlestick Park to secure a trip to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. The Giants relied on the sterling play of Super Bowl MVP Manning – highlighted by a memorable 38-yard sideline completion to wide receiver MARIO MANNINGHAM on the game-winning drive –during their victory over the Patriots, their second championship in five seasons. “It’s a wonderful thing to have someone hand you that trophy, for sure, following a win,” says the Giants’ TOM COUGHLIN (right), who became the oldest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. “It does have a significant impact on your life going forward. You find out pretty quickly that the next offseason and the next season roll around very quickly. What you try and do is build on that. You build on the confidence, you build on your team, and you challenge them to do that again.”

GIANTS RISING The Giants in 2012 will aim to become the fifth franchise in NFL history to win at least three Super Bowls in a six-season span. In the 46-year history of the Super Bowl, only the Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-79), San Francisco 49ers (1984-89), Dallas Cowboys (1992-95) and New England Patriots (2001-04) have accomplished the feat. For the Giants to join that elite club, they’ll need to successfully defend their title in 2012. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we can repeat,” says Giants linebacker MATHIAS KIWANUKA. “We’ve just got to get in the playoffs. That’s it.” In 2007, the Giants ended New England’s bid for an undefeated season with a 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII. Four years later, New York once again got the better of the Patriots on the NFL’s grandest stage. The Giants won Super Bowl XLVI by a score of 21-17, hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champions for the second time in five seasons. “I feel like the sky’s the limit for this organization and our team,” says Giants wide receiver HAKEEM NICKS. “I feel like we can be at this level for a long time.” The four teams to win at least three Super Bowls in a six-season span:

SEASONS TEAM SUPER BOWL VICTORIES SUPER BOWL MVP 1974-1979 Pittsburgh Steelers IX: Pittsburgh 16, Minnesota 6 RB Franco Harris X: Pittsburgh 21, Dallas 17 WR Lynn Swann XIII: Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31 QB Terry Bradshaw XIV: Pittsburgh 31, L.A. Rams 19 QB Terry Bradshaw 1984-1989 San Francisco 49ers XIX: San Francisco 38, Miami 16 QB Joe Montana XXIII: San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16 WR Jerry Rice XXIV: San Francisco 55, Denver 10 QB Joe Montana 1992-1995 Dallas Cowboys XXVII: Dallas 52, Buffalo 17 QB Troy Aikman XXVIII: Dallas 30, Buffalo 13 RB Emmitt Smith XXX: Dallas 27, Pittsburgh 17 CB Larry Brown 2001-2004 New England Patriots XXXVI: New England 20, St. Louis 17 QB Tom Brady XXXVIII: New England 32, Carolina 29 QB Tom Brady XXXIX: New England 24, Philadelphia 21 WR Deion Branch 2007-Present New York Giants XLII: N.Y. Giants 17, New England 14 QB Eli Manning XLVI: N.Y. Giants 21, New England 17 QB Eli Manning

QUARTERBACK SUCCESS 2011 was the Year of the Quarterback. The league-wide passer rating (84.3) and touchdown-interception ratio (1.472:1) were both at historic levels, topping the previous records set in 2010 (84.1 passer rating; 1.470:1 TD:INT ratio). Games averaged an all-time high 693.7 total net yards per game, surpassing the previous mark, also set in 2010 (672.0). Explosive passing offenses fueled that trend, with an average of 459.4 net passing yards per game, also an all-time high (443.1 in 2010). There were 121 individual 300-yard passing games in 2011, the most in any season in NFL history (104 in 2009), and a record number of individual 400-yard passing performances (18), surpassing the previous record of 13 (1986 and 2004). “It’s a quarterback’s league now,” says CBS analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback DAN FOUTS. “It’s how the game has evolved. You’ve got coaches willing to throw the ball more than ever, and you’ve got receivers who are the best athletes on the field. Why wouldn’t a coach want to use weapons like that?”

Two of the NFL’s most significant individual single-season passing records also fell in 2011. DREW BREES of New Orleans passed for 5,476 yards, besting Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO’s previous mark of 5,084 yards in 1984. Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS led the NFL with a passer rating of 122.5, topping PEYTON MANNING’s record of 121.1 set in 2004. And young quarterbacks excelled, too, highlighted by the standout performances of rookies CAM NEWTON of Carolina and ANDY DALTON (left) of Cincinnati. Newton (NFL rookie-record 4,051 passing yards) and Dalton (3,398) became the first pair of rookie passers to throw for at least 3,000 yards in the same season. As professional football has evolved, the sophistication and importance of the passing game has grown consistently. Defenders have grown stronger and faster while defensive coordinators have become more creative. Moving the ball downfield three yards at a time via the run has grown increasingly difficult.

“Everybody feeds off of what the quarterback can and cannot do,” says ESPN analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback STEVE YOUNG. “Defensively, offensively, everybody reacts to what threats or non-threats the quarterback has. Everything else is secondary.” Three quarterbacks reached the 5,000-yard mark in 2011, more than the previous combined total in NFL history. Entering 2011, only two quarterbacks in NFL history had ever passed for at least 5,000 yards in a season. A record three quarterbacks threw 40+ passing touchdowns. No other season in NFL history had more than one quarterback with at least 40 passing TDs. Four quarterbacks finished the year with a passer rating of 100 or better, which is tied for the second-most in history (5 in 2009; 4 in 1998, 2004 and 2011). The quarterbacks with 5,000+ yards, 40+ touchdowns or a 100+ passer rating in 2011:

5,000+ YARDS 40+ TDs 100+ PASSER RATING PLAYER YARDS PLAYER TDs PLAYER RATING Drew Brees 5,476 Drew Brees 46 Aaron Rodgers 122.5 Tom Brady 5,235 Aaron Rodgers 45 Drew Brees 110.6 Matthew Stafford 5,038 Matthew Stafford 41 Tom Brady 105.6 Tony Romo 102.5

Tom Brady Drew Brees Aaron Rodgers Tony Romo Matthew Stafford

GOOD THINGS COME IN PAIRS What’s better than having a great running back on your team? Having two! Last season, 11 clubs boasted two running backs with at least 500 rushing yards apiece, including four playoff teams – Green Bay, Houston, New Orleans and the New York Giants. Despite the proliferation of the passing game, teams have continued to rely on different options in the backfield to gain an advantage. “In reality, the looks you can create with multiple running styles and personnel can matter just as much as the varied formations you roll out in the passing game,” says ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback TRENT DILFER. The AFC South champion Houston Texans would agree. Powered by the dynamic combination of ARIAN FOSTER and BEN TATE (right), Houston had the second-best rushing attack in the NFL at 153.0 yards per game (Denver, 164.5) on its way to the first division title and postseason appearance in franchise history. Foster finished the season third in the AFC in rushing yards with 1,224 while Tate picked up 942 yards of his own, providing Houston with an impressive duo in the backfield. “They are very competitive,” says Texans head coach GARY KUBIAK of Foster and Tate. “Those guys running the ball is a strength of what we do. If they keep working that way, it should be again.” Four of the past five Super Bowl champions have boasted a backfield with at least two 500-yard rushers, including the Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants. Aided by the combination of AHMAD BRADSHAW (659 yards) and BRANDON JACOBS (571), the Giants won the NFC East title en route to defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. “I think it’s very important to have change-of-pace and complimentary running backs,” says Atlanta Falcons head coach MIKE SMITH. “The wear and tear that a running back faces in the National Football League is unbelievable. You need to have guys that can stay fresh and try to penetrate the defensive line.” The teams with two running backs with at least 500 rushing yards each in 2011:

TEAM RUNNING BACK YARDS RUNNING BACK YARDS Buffalo Fred Jackson 934 C.J. Spiller 561 Carolina DeAngelo Williams 836 Jonathan Stewart 761 Dallas DeMarco Murray 897 Felix Jones 575 Green Bay James Starks 578 Ryan Grant 559 Houston Arian Foster 1,224 Ben Tate 942 Kansas City Jackie Battle 597 Dexter McCluster 516 Miami Reggie Bush 1,086 Daniel Thomas 581 Minnesota Adrian Peterson 970 Toby Gerhart 531 New Orleans Darren Sproles 603 Pierre Thomas 562 New York Giants Ahmad Bradshaw 659 Brandon Jacobs 571 Oakland Michael Bush 977 Darren McFadden 614

C.J. Spiller & Fred Jackson Jonathan Stewart & DeAngelo Williams Toby Gerhart & Adrian Peterson

PATRIOTS LOOK TO CONTINUE WINNING TRADITION The AFC champion NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS finished the 2011 season with a 13-3 record and became the third team in NFL history to win at least 10 games in nine consecutive seasons, joining the 1983-98 San Francisco 49ers (16 seasons) and 2002-10 Indianapolis Colts (nine). “There is no word to use except for impressive,” says former Patriots linebacker and ESPN analyst TEDY BRUSCHI on New England’s continued success. New England also advanced to its seventh Super Bowl last season, the third-most in NFL history, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers (eight). Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK, who is the first head coach in NFL history to lead a team to nine consecutive seasons with at least 10 victories, has certainly identified a successful approach week in and week out. “I think every game is a big game,” says Belichick. “Every time we get an opportunity to compete, we try to take advantage of the time leading up to that opportunity: the practice week, the preparation, the film study, understanding our game plan and our adjustments. You try to cover all your bases for that game, you play it, and then you start the process all over again with the next one.”

The teams with the most consecutive seasons with 10+ regular-season wins in NFL history:

TEAM YEARS CONSECUTIVE SEASONS WITH 10+ WINS San Francisco 49ers 1983-1998 16 Indianapolis Colts 2002-2010 9 New England Patriots 2003-present 9* *Active

Patriots All-Star defensive tackle VINCE WILFORK (above), who served as a defensive captain for New England last season, says the team’s continued success is a result of the entire organization working towards one common goal. “The Patriots are all about team, family and smart football players,” says Wilfork. “They try to get good people here from coaches to guys who work in the front office to guys who put on this uniform. I think everybody has to have one goal in mind, and that’s to be together. When you get an organization together that is seeking one goal, you can be pretty successful.”

THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS On third down, it all comes down to extending the series and keeping the opposing team’s offense off the field.

Last year, the New Orleans Saints led the NFL with the highest third-down conversion rate (56.7 percent), followed by the San Diego Chargers (48.8). “We have to continue to work hard to stay high in the league at converting third downs and all those other categories,” says Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS (left). “But certainly, a continued emphasis on protecting the football, that’s game to game. If we can do that, we have a much better chance of winning the game.”

The top five teams to lead the NFL last year in third-down conversions:

TEAM 3RD DOWN ATT. 3RD DOWN CONV. 3RD DOWN PCT. New Orleans 208 118 56.7 San Diego 211 103 48.8 Green Bay 189 91 48.1 Pittsburgh 196 90 45.9 New England 194 89 45.9

TIGHT ENDS ON THE RISE In today’s NFL, more teams are factoring the tight end into the offense. For the third consecutive year, NFL tight ends broke the single-season records for the most receptions (2,341), receiving yards (27,080) and touchdown catches (198) for the position. Seventeen tight ends caught at least 50 passes last year, eclipsing the previous record of 14 set in 2009. “I’ve never seen this many tight ends this good at one particular time,” says CBS analyst SHANNON SHARPE, one of eight tight ends to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “We’ve never seen the position this dominant. This is the golden age of tight ends.” In a banner 2011 season for the position with standout performances by tight ends across the league, ROB GRONKOWSKI of New England and JIMMY GRAHAM of New Orleans led the way. Gronkowski (1,327) and Graham (1,310) are the only tight ends in NFL history with at least 1,300 receiving yards in a season, surpassing the previous record for the position held by Pro Football Hall of Famer KELLEN WINSLOW (1,290 in 1980). Gronkowski also became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in touchdown catches outright with 17, also a single-season record for tight ends. And Graham (99) is now the third NFL tight end with at least 99 catches in a season, joining TONY GONZALEZ (102 in 2004, 99 in 2007) and DALLAS CLARK (100 in 2009). The versatility of today’s tight ends causes matchup problems for the defense, which is crucial in the NFL’s never-ending chess game between offensive and defensive coordinators. “You look at the majority of the explosive pass plays on the field, it’s because of tight-end representation,” says ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback TRENT DILFER. “Not because tight ends get them every play, but because of their influence on the field. It’s the hardest riddle for the defense to answer, especially if you have two of them that can complement each other.” When an offense trots out a two-tight end, two-receiver personnel group, the defense must be ready for anything, particularly when one or both of the tight ends is a receiving threat. “The versatility tight ends bring offenses is beyond huge,” Dilfer says. “You can’t comprehend how much versatility and multiplicity you can have in your system with a tight end presence on the field. It simplifies what the defense can do.” The 17 tight ends that caught at least 50 passes during the 2011 season:

PLAYER 2011 TEAM REC. YARDS TDs Jimmy Graham New Orleans 99 1,310 11 Rob Gronkowski New England 90 1,327 17 Brandon Pettigrew Detroit 83 777 5 Tony Gonzalez Atlanta 80 875 7 Aaron Hernandez New England 79 910 7 Jason Witten Dallas 79 942 5 Kellen Winslow Tampa Bay 75 763 2 Vernon Davis San Francisco 67 792 6 Dustin Keller New York Jets 65 815 5 Antonio Gates San Diego 64 778 7 Brent Celek Philadelphia 62 811 5 Fred Davis Washington 59 796 3 Jermaine Gresham Cincinnati 56 596 6 Jermichael Finley Green Bay 55 767 8 Owen Daniels Houston 54 677 3 Ed Dickson Baltimore 54 528 5 Heath Miller Pittsburgh 51 631 2

Jimmy Graham Rob Gronkowski Tony Gonzalez Antonio Gates Brent Celek

TOP SUPERLATIVE? RUN THE BALL! A dominant running game with a dependable feature back cause defenses anguish as consistent gains on the ground create short-yardage situations. This keeps the offense’s playbook fully accessible and the defense highly susceptible.

In 2011, NFL teams with a 100-yard rusher in a game posted a 90-38 record for a .703 winning percentage. That rated higher than clubs boasting a 300-yard passer (.545; 66-55) or a 100-yard receiver (.538; 93-80). It marked the fourth time in the past five seasons that NFL clubs with a 100-yard rusher in a game registered a winning percentage above .700, a mark not reached by teams with 100-yard receivers or 300-yard passers. The AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens (6-0) and the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers (5-0) both finished perfect in 2011 when Pro Bowl running backs RAY RICE and FRANK GORE (left), respectively, registered 100-yard rushing games. Gore, who set a club record with five consecutive 100-yard games last season, is often lauded for his drive and ability to gain yards after contact. “His style just makes him so hard to tackle for linebackers and safeties,” says San Francisco guard JONATHAN GOODWIN about Gore, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher (7,625 rushing yards). “We know that if Frank goes into a hole and does get hit, he’s not going to go backwards. He’s going to find a way to keep going.”

Over the past five years, teams have compiled a 451-174 record (.722) when a player has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark. By comparison, clubs with a 100-yard receiver have a .567 winning percentage (452-345-1), while teams with a 300-yard passer have won 56.6 percent of games (270-207-1). The winning percentage of teams with a 100-yard rusher, 100-yard receiver or 300-yard passer over the past five seasons:

100-YARD RUSHERS 100-YARD RECEIVERS 300-YARD PASSERS W-L WIN PCT W-L WIN PCT W-L WIN PCT 2007 102-37 .734 2007 87-66 .569 2007 43-38 .531 2008 93-30 .756 2008 88-63-1 .582 2008 47-28-1 .625 2009 79-35 .693 2009 92-57 .617 2009 67-37 .644 2010 87-34 .719 2010 92-79 .538 2010 47-49 .490 2011 90-38 .703 2011 93-80 .538 2011 66-55 .545 Total 451-174 .722 Total 452-345-1 .567 Total 270-207-1 .566

FOURTH-AND-ONE When faced with a fourth-and-one situation, coaches and players must weigh their options and decide if it’s worth running an aggressive route or playing it safe. In fourth-and-one situations last season, the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks were the most efficient clubs, converting all four attempts. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the league with nine attempts on fourth-and-one and were one of three teams – Arizona, Buffalo and Tampa Bay – to convert five such attempts. “My philosophy is to have an attacking-style offense,” says Carolina offensive coordinator ROB CHUDZINSKI (right). “I think that’s how you have to be offensively in this league. It’s what I’ve always believed in.” The 2011 teams with the most attempts and the highest efficiency on fourth-and-one:

MOST ATTEMPTS, FOURTH-AND-ONE MOST EFFICIENT, FOURTH-AND-ONE (MIN. 4 ATTEMPTS) TEAM ATT. CONV. PCT. TEAM ATT. CONV. PCT. Tampa Bay 9 5 55.6 Carolina 4 4 100.0 Miami 8 3 37.5 Seattle 4 4 100.0 Atlanta 7 3 42.9 Arizona 6 5 83.3 Buffalo 7 5 71.4 Tennessee 5 4 80.0 Oakland 7 3 42.9 Cleveland 4 3 75.0

TURNOVERS ARE KEY TO VICTORY What is one of the secrets to success in the NFL? Winning the turnover battle certainly ranks high on the list. “With teams being so evenly matched, the sudden change caused by turnovers decides many games,” says Baltimore Ravens head coach JOHN HARBAUGH. “A turnover can completely change the momentum of the game.” Last season, the four teams with a turnover differential of at least +10 – San Francisco (+28), Green Bay (+24), New England (+17) and Detroit (+11) – all made the playoffs and combined for a 51-13 record (.797). The four teams with a +10 or better net turnover differential in 2011:

TEAM TOTAL TAKEAWAYS TOTAL GIVEAWAYS NET DIFFERENTIAL RECORD San Francisco 38 10 +28 13-3 Green Bay 38 14 +24 15-1 New England 34 17 +17 13-3 Detroit 34 23 +11 10-6 TOTAL 51-13

For the 49ers (below), their turnover differential of +28 tied the 2010 New England Patriots for the second-highest turnover differential in NFL history, trailing only the 1983 Washington Redskins (+43). Last season, the 49ers had only 10 total giveaways, tying the 2010 Patriots for the fewest turnovers in a 16-game season in NFL history.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR New York Giants players, coaches, management and fans absorbed themselves in the moment as their defense knocked down a final pass as the game clock showed all zeros, sealing their 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots. Three months after the blue and red confetti settled on Lucas Oil Stadium’s turf, the Giants celebrated the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl triumph when club personnel received their championship rings at Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store in Manhattan during a “Blue Carpet” ceremony. “Being around the whole team from last year, walking up on the stage and getting the box and then seeing how quickly you can run off the stage and open up the box and get that ring and get it on your finger, it’s an exciting moment,” said Giants captain and two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback ELI MANNING. “It’s a fun night to be here and re-live our accomplishment from last year.”

Through the advisement of ownership, general manager JERRY REESE, head coach TOM COUGHLIN and players, Tiffany & Co. – the designer who also sculpts and customizes the Lombardi Trophy each year – constructed ring tops featuring round, pave-set diamonds and four Lombardi trophies, capped by marquis diamonds, that surround the iconic “NY” logo, which is outlined in blue enamel. While the diamonds definitely shimmer nestled in 14-karat white gold, the 37 channel-set blue sapphires on the outer bezel make the jeweled piece shine (left).

“All of us wanted to have some blue in the ring, from the ownership down,” said Giants defensive captain JUSTIN TUCK. “We wanted those to sparkle a little bit more and stand out a little bit more. We talked to guys on the team and the consensus was a lot of guys wanted to see more color in the ring.” While team members celebrated the momentous occasion, Tuck reiterated that the club will not remain satisfied despite claiming its second Super Bowl crown in five seasons. “The second ring makes you that much hungrier,” said Tuck. “You get there the first time and you’re in awe. You win the second one and you’re like, ‘Maybe we can do something here.’ Now we want to make it a dynasty.” If the Giants hope to make those words come true in 2012, they must again heed two of Coughlin’s themes of last season, both of which are engraved inside the rings: “Finish” and “All In.” By replicating those convictions, defensive end JASON PIERRE-PAUL knows this new year could end in similar fashion. “It’s all about hard work and what the guys put in,” the 2011 All-Star said. “It’s all about the hard work that everybody can come together as one, as teammates, as a team, and make another run.”

SUPER BOWL TROPHY BY THE NUMBERS Immediately following a Super Bowl victory, the winner is presented with the VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY. “For us, the trophy business correlates nicely with the mission of the company, to help people celebrate moments,” says TOM O’ROURKE, vice president of business sales at Tiffany & Co., the trophy’s manufacturer. “Certainly when it comes to football, the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal. For Tiffany to be on the field celebrating that goal, that’s what our company is all about.” After the trophy is presented, it is then returned to Tiffany & Co. for any repairs and the engraving of the Super Bowl team names and the final score onto the base. It then goes back to the winning team for permanent possession. The particulars of the Vince Lombardi Trophy:

Weight 7 pounds Height 22 inches Man-hours To Complete 72 Made of Sterling silver * Year Designed 1966 First Sketched On A napkin Sketched By Oscar Riedener ** Crafted by Hand Made In Parsippany, NJ Made By Tiffany Value Priceless per 32 NFL teams Sought Yearly By 1,700 players ***

*Including nuts and bolts. ** Former Tiffany VP of design. ***At least.

SUPER FOLLOW-UPS

How Super Bowl winners fared the following season, with teams that repeated in bold (eight Super Bowl winners won the title game the next year and three lost it):

Season Super Bowl Winner Next Season

1966 I Green Bay Won Super Bowl 1967 II Green Bay Missed playoffs 1968 III New York Jets Lost in first round 1969 IV Kansas City Missed playoffs 1970 V Baltimore Lost AFC Championship Game 1971 VI Dallas Lost NFC Championship Game 1972 VII Miami Won Super Bowl 1973 VIII Miami Lost in first round 1974 IX Pittsburgh Won Super Bowl 1975 X Pittsburgh Lost AFC Championship Game 1976 XI Oakland Lost AFC Championship Game 1977 XII Dallas Lost Super Bowl 1978 XIII Pittsburgh Won Super Bowl 1979 XIV Pittsburgh Missed playoffs 1980 XV Oakland Missed playoffs 1981 XVI San Francisco Missed playoffs 1982 XVII Washington Lost Super Bowl 1983 XVIII L.A. Raiders Lost Wild Card Game 1984 XIX San Francisco Lost Wild Card Game 1985 XX Chicago Lost NFC Divisional Playoff Game 1986 XXI New York Giants Missed playoffs 1987 XXII Washington Missed playoffs 1988 XXIII San Francisco Won Super Bowl 1989 XXIV San Francisco Lost NFC Championship Game 1990 XXV New York Giants Missed playoffs 1991 XXVI Washington Lost NFC Divisional Playoff Game 1992 XXVII Dallas Won Super Bowl 1993 XXVIII Dallas Lost NFC Championship Game 1994 XXIX San Francisco Lost NFC Divisional Playoff Game 1995 XXX Dallas Lost NFC Divisional Playoff Game 1996 XXXI Green Bay Lost Super Bowl 1997 XXXII Denver Won Super Bowl 1998 XXXIII Denver Missed playoffs 1999 XXXIV St. Louis Lost Wild Card Game 2000 XXXV Baltimore Lost AFC Divisional Playoff Game 2001 XXXVI New England Missed playoffs 2002 XXXVII Tampa Bay Missed playoffs 2003 XXXVIII New England Won Super Bowl 2004 XXXIX New England Lost AFC Divisional Playoff Game 2005 XL Pittsburgh Missed playoffs 2006 XLI Indianapolis Lost AFC Divisional Playoff Game 2007 XLII New York Giants Lost NFC Divisional Playoff Game 2008 XLIII Pittsburgh Missed playoffs 2009 XLIV New Orleans Lost NFC Wild Card Game 2010 XLV Green Bay Lost NFC Divisional Playoff Game 2011 XLVI New York Giants ???

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2012 PEYTON MANNING, Denver, needs 4,000 passing yards to become the first player in NFL history with 12 4,000-yard seasons. Manning is the only quarterback to accomplish the feat in 11 seasons. Manning needs 22 touchdown passes to surpass Dan Marino (420) for second place all-time. In 14 seasons, Manning has thrown 399 touchdown passes. Manning needs 286 pass completions to surpass Dan Marino (4,967) for second place all-time. In 14 seasons, Manning has 4,682 completions. Manning has 22 games with four or more touchdown passes and needs two such games to surpass Brett Favre (23) for the most games with four touchdown passes in NFL history. Manning has passed for 300 yards in a game 63 times in his career, tied with Dan Marino for the most all-time. Manning needs one 300-yard passing game to attain sole possession of first place (see Brees note). Manning has led the league in touchdown passes three times in his career and can tie Len Dawson, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas and Steve Young (4) for the most seasons leading the league in touchdown passes (see Brady and Brees notes). DREW BREES (right), New Orleans, needs to throw a touchdown pass in each of his next five games to surpass Johnny Unitas (47) for the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass in NFL history. Brees has thrown a touchdown pass in each of his past 43 games. Brees can extend his NFL-record streak of consecutive games with 300 passing yards. He has passed for 300 yards in each of his past seven games, the longest streak in NFL history. Brees needs four touchdown passes in each of his next three games to surpass Dan Marino (4) and Peyton Manning (5) for the most consecutive games with four touchdown passes in NFL history. Brees has passed for at least four touchdowns in each of his past three games. Brees needs 4,000 passing yards to join Peyton Manning (11) as the only players in NFL history with at least seven 4,000-yard passing seasons. In 11 seasons, Brees has six 4,000-yard passing seasons, which is currently tied with Brett Favre and Dan Marino for the second most all-time. Brees needs to pass for 300 yards in seven games to surpass Brett Favre (62), Peyton Manning (63) and Dan Marino (63) for the most 300-yard passing games in NFL history (see Manning note). In 11 seasons, Brees has 57 300-yard passing games. Brees has led the league in touchdown passes three times in his career and can tie Len Dawson, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas and Steve Young (4) for the most seasons leading the league in touchdown passes (see Brady and Manning notes). Brees needs 20 touchdown passes to surpass Johnny Unitas (290), Warren Moon (291), Tom Brady (300) and John Elway (300) for fifth place all-time (see Brady note). In 11 seasons, Brees has 281 touchdown passes. Brees needs 387 completions to become the fifth player in history with 4,000 career completions. In 11 seasons, Brees has 3,613 completions. Brees needs 3,870 passing yards to surpass Kerry Collins (40,922), Dan Fouts (43,040) and Drew Bledsoe (44,611) for eighth place all-time (see Brady note). In 11 seasons, Brees has 40,742 passing yards. TOM BRADY, New England, has led the league in touchdown passes three times in his career and can tie Len Dawson, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas and Steve Young (4) for the most seasons leading the league in touchdown passes (see Brees and Manning notes). Brady has 300 career touchdown passes, tied with John Elway for the fifth most all-time. He needs one touchdown pass to earn sole possession of fifth place (see Brees note). Brady needs 4,000 passing yards to join Drew Brees (6), Brett Favre (6), Dan Marino (6) and Peyton Manning (11) as the only players in NFL history with at least five 4,000-yard passing seasons (see Rivers note). In 12 seasons, Brady has four 4,000-yard passing seasons.

Brady needs 4,633 passing yards to surpass Drew Brees (40,742), Kerry Collins (40,922), Dan Fouts (43,040) and Drew Bledsoe (44,611) for eighth place all-time (see Brees note). In 12 seasons, Brady has 39,979 passing yards. PHILIP RIVERS (right), San Diego, has led the league in average yards per pass three times in his career and can join Steve Young (5) and Sid Luckman (7) as the only players in NFL history to do so in at least four seasons. Rivers needs 4,000 passing yards to join Drew Brees (6), Brett Favre (6), Dan Marino (6) and Peyton Manning (11) as the only players in NFL history with at least five 4,000-yard passing seasons (see Brady note). In eight seasons, Rivers has four 4,000-yard passing seasons. STEVEN JACKSON, St. Louis, needs 1,000 rushing yards to join LaDainian Tomlinson (8), Thurman Thomas (8), Curtis Martin (10), Barry Sanders (10) and Emmitt Smith (11) as the only players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons. Jackson has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of the past seven seasons. RAY RICE, Baltimore, can join Marshall Faulk (4) as the only players in NFL history to record at least 1,000 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards in three different seasons. In four seasons, Rice has accomplished the feat twice. TONY GONZALEZ, Atlanta, needs 51 receptions to join Jerry Rice (1,549) as the only players in NFL history with 1,200 career catches. In 15 seasons, Gonzalez has 1,149 receptions – the most ever by a tight end. Gonzalez needs 50 receptions to join Jerry Rice (17) as the only players in NFL history with 15 50-reception seasons. Gonzalez is the only player in NFL history with 14 consecutive 50-reception seasons.

Gonzalez needs six touchdown catches to surpass Don Hutson (99), Steve Largent (100) and Tim Brown (100) for sixth place all-time. In 15 seasons, Gonzalez has 95 touchdown catches – the most ever by a tight end. Gonzalez needs 667 receiving yards to surpass Torry Holt (13,382), Henry Ellard (13,777), Cris Carter (13,899) and James Lofton (14,004) for seventh place all-time. In 15 seasons, Gonzalez has 13,338 receiving yards – the most ever by a tight end. RANDY MOSS (left), San Francisco, needs seven receiving touchdowns to become the second player in NFL history with 160 touchdown catches. Moss can join Jerry Rice (197) as the only players in NFL history with 160 receiving touchdowns. In 13 seasons, Moss has 153 touchdown receptions. Moss needs six touchdowns to become the fourth player with 160 touchdowns. Moss would join Jerry Rice (208), Emmitt Smith (175) and LaDainian Tomlinson (162) as the only players to accomplish the feat. In 13 seasons, Moss has scored 154 touchdowns.

Moss needs 351 receiving yards to surpass Tim Brown (14,934) and Isaac Bruce (15,208) for third place all-time. In 13 seasons, Moss has 14,858 receiving yards. Moss needs 46 receptions to become the ninth player in NFL history with 1,000 receptions. In 13 seasons, Moss has 954 receptions. Moss has recorded 1,000 receiving yards in a season 10 times in his 13-year NFL career. Moss can join Jerry Rice (14) as the only players in NFL history with 11 seasons with 1,000 receiving yards. WES WELKER, New England, needs 100 receptions to become the first player in NFL history with five 100-catch seasons. Welker, Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice are the only players with four 100-reception seasons. Welker has led the league in receptions three times and can join Lionel Taylor (5) and Don Hutson (8) as the only players to lead the league in receptions at least four times. Welker needs three games with 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards to become the NFL’s all-time career leader. Welker has 13 games with at least 10 catches and 100 receiving yards in his career and can surpass Andre Johnson (14), Marvin Harrison (14) and Jerry Rice (15) for the most such games in NFL history (see Johnson note). ANDRE JOHNSON (right), Houston, needs 1,500 receiving yards to join Marvin Harrison (3) and Jerry Rice (4) as the only players with three 1,500-yard seasons.

Johnson needs two games with 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards to become the NFL’s all-time career leader. Johnson has 14 games with at least 10 catches and 100 receiving yards in his career and can surpass Marvin Harrison (14) and Jerry Rice (15) for the most such games in NFL history (see Welker note). Johnson needs 100 receptions to become the fourth player in NFL history with four 100-catch seasons. Johnson can join Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice and Wes Welker as the only players with four 100-reception seasons (see Marshall and Wayne notes). BRANDON MARSHALL, Chicago, needs 100 receptions to become the fourth player in NFL history with four 100-catch seasons. Marshall can join Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice and Wes Welker as the only players with four 100-reception seasons (see Johnson and Wayne notes). REGGIE WAYNE, Indianapolis, needs 100 receptions to become the fourth player in NFL history with four 100-catch seasons. Wayne can join Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice and Wes Welker as the only players with four 100-reception seasons (see Johnson and Marshall notes). ROB GRONKOWSKI, New England, can become the first tight end in NFL history to score 10 touchdowns in three consecutive seasons. Gronkowski and Antonio Gates are the only tight ends to accomplish the feat in back-to-back seasons. RAY LEWIS (right), Baltimore, needs 28 interception-return yards to surpass Derrick Brooks (530) for the most interception-return yards all-time by a linebacker. In 16 seasons, Lewis has 503 interception-return yards. ED REED, Baltimore, needs 21 interception-return yards to surpass Rod Woodson (1,483) for the most all-time. In 10 seasons, Reed has 1,463 interception-return yards. Reed is tied with Everson Walls (3) for the most seasons leading the league in interceptions and can become the first player in NFL history to lead the league in INTs four times. Reed needs seven interceptions to surpass Everson Walls (57), Johnny Robinson (57), Eugene Robinson (57), Bobby Boyd (57), Mel Blount (57), Emmitt Thomas (58), Dick LeBeau (62), Dave Brown (62), Darren Sharper (63) and Ronnie Lott (63) to move into sixth place all-time. In 10 seasons, Reed has 57 interceptions. CHARLES WOODSON, Green Bay, needs two interception-return touchdowns to surpass Darren Sharper (11) and Rod Woodson (12) for the most all-time. In 14 seasons, Woodson has 11 interception-return touchdowns. JARED ALLEN, Minnesota, has led the league in sacks twice in his career and can become the first player to lead the league three times since the sack became an official statistic in 1982 (see Ware note). Allen, who led the league in sacks in 2011, can join Mark Gastineau and Reggie White as the only players to lead the NFL in sacks in back-to-back years since 1982. DEMARCUS WARE, Dallas, has led the league in sacks twice in his career and can become the first player to lead the league three times since the sack became an official statistic in 1982 (see Allen note). DEVIN HESTER, Chicago, needs two return touchdowns to surpass Deion Sanders (19) for the most all-time. In six seasons, Hester has 18 return touchdowns (12 punt return, five kickoff return, one missed field goal return).

JOSHUA CRIBBS (left), Cleveland, needs two kickoff-return touchdowns to become the first player in history with 10 kickoff return TDs (see Washington note). In seven seasons, Cribbs is the all-time leader with eight kickoff-return touchdowns. Cribbs needs 1,864 total return yards to surpass Desmond Howard (10,854) and Dante Hall (12,397) for fifth place all-time. In seven seasons, Cribbs has 10,534 total return yards. LEON WASHINGTON, Seattle, needs two kickoff-return touchdowns to surpass Joshua Cribbs (8) for the most all-time (see Cribbs note). In six seasons, Washington has seven kickoff return TDs. JASON HANSON, Detroit, needs 47 points to surpass John Carney (2,062) for third place all-time (see Kasay note). In 20 seasons, Hanson has 2,016 points.

JOHN KASAY, New Orleans, needs 93 points to surpass Jason Elam (1,983), George Blanda (2,002), Matt Stover (2,004), Jason Hanson (2,016) and John Carney (2,062) for third place all-time (see Hanson note). In 20 seasons, Kasay has 1,970 points.

PACK MAN: MVP AARON RODGERS LEADS PACKERS

Last season, Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS (right) completed 343 of 502 passes (68.3 percent) for 4,643 yards and a career-high 45 touchdowns with six interceptions for an NFL-record 122.5 passer rating. Rodgers earned NFL Most Valuable Player honors from The Associated Press and was selected to his second Pro Bowl. “It means a lot to be recognized as a consistent player and as a contributor to my team,” says Rodgers. “The MVP award is one that relies on a player having the support of his teammates: guys blocking, guys running, guys catching and guys making plays. I’m very honored to receive the award.” Rodgers’ 122.5 passer rating is the highest single-season mark in NFL history and his career rating of 104.1 is the best in league annals (minimum 1,500 attempts).

QUARTERBACK TEAM YEAR RATING, SEASON QUARTERBACK TEAM(S) RATING, CAREER Aaron Rodgers GB 2011 122.5 Aaron Rodgers GB 104.1* Peyton Manning Ind. 2004 121.1 Tony Romo Dal. 96.9* Tom Brady NE 2007 117.2 Steve Young TB, SF 96.8

*Active

Rodgers had 13 games with a 100+ passer rating last year, the most in a single season all-time. His 12 games with a 110+ rating are also the most ever in a season. “People really count on me to be consistent each week and to play well,” says Rodgers. “If I’m playing consistently and doing things I know I’m supposed to do, we’ll be able to have some success because of it.”

QUARTERBACK TEAM YEAR 100+ GAMES QUARTERBACK TEAM YEAR 110+ GAMES Aaron Rodgers GB 2011 13 Aaron Rodgers GB 2011 12 Steve Young SF 1994 12 Steve Young SF 1994 11 Tom Brady NE 2010 12 Tom Brady NE 2007 10

With 45 touchdown passes, Rodgers set the single-season franchise record (BRETT FAVRE, 39, 1996), which ranked fifth all-time in NFL annals. Rodgers passed for at least three touchdowns in 10 games, becoming only the third player in NFL history to have at least 10 games in a season with three or more touchdown passes. He threw at least two touchdown passes in 13 consecutive games, tied with PEYTON MANNING (2004) and TOM BRADY (2010-11) for the longest streak in NFL history.

QUARTERBACK TEAM YEAR PASS TDs QUARTERBACK TEAM YEAR 3+ TD GAMES Tom Brady NE 2007 50 Tom Brady NE 2007 12 Peyton Manning Ind. 2004 49 Dan Marino Mia. 1984 10 Dan Marino Mia. 1984 48 Aaron Rodgers GB 2011 10 Drew Brees NO 2011 46 Aaron Rodgers GB 2011 45

Rodgers’ 4,643 passing yards set a franchise record (LYNN DICKEY, 4,458, 1983). He now owns two of the top three single-season passing marks in Green Bay history.

QUARTERBACK YEAR PASS YARDS Aaron Rodgers 2011 4,643 Lynn Dickey 1983 4,458 Aaron Rodgers 2009 4,434

In his first four seasons as a starter, Rodgers has passed for an NFL-record 17,037 yards, besting the previous mark held by Manning (16,418, 1998-2001). With just six interceptions in 2011, Rodgers is the only quarterback in NFL history to pass for at least 4,000 yards and have six INTs or fewer. He is also the only player all-time to throw at least 45 touchdown passes and register six or fewer interceptions.

“Aaron is the leader of the Green Bay Packers,” says head coach MIKE MC CARTHY (left, with Rodgers), “and serves as a great example to our entire organization, fans and community.”

terence.malangone

Stamp

ELI-TE QUARTERBACK New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (below right) won his second Super Bowl last season, collecting his second Super Bowl MVP award in the process. Manning became the fifth player in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowl MVP honors, joining JOE MONTANA (three) and TOM BRADY, TERRY BRADSHAW and BART STARR (two). The players to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards:

QUARTERBACK SB MVPs SUPER BOWL RESULT MVP PERFORMANCE Joe Montana 3 XVI: San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21 14 of 22, 157 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 100.0 rating XIX: San Francisco 38, Miami 16 24 of 35, 331 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT 127.2 rating XXIV: San Francisco 55, Denver 10 22 of 29, 297 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT, 147.6 rating Bart Starr 2 I: Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10 16 of 23, 250 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 116.2 rating II: Green Bay 33, Oakland 14 13 of 24, 202 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 96.2 rating Terry Bradshaw 2 XIII: Pittsburgh 35, Dallas 31 17 of 30, 318 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 119.2 rating XIV: Pittsburgh 31, L.A. Rams 19 14 of 21, 309 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT, 101.9 rating Tom Brady 2 XXXVI: New England 20, St. Louis 17 16 of 27, 145 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 86.2 rating XXXVIII: New England 32, Panthers 29 32 of 48, 354 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 100.5 rating Eli Manning 2 XLII: N.Y. Giants 17, New England 14 19 of 34, 255 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 87.3 rating XLVI: N.Y. Giants 21, New England 17 30 of 40, 296 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 103.8 rating

With New England clinging to a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, Manning orchestrated a nine-play, 88-yard game-winning drive that culminated with a six-yard touchdown run by AHMAD BRADSHAW with 57 seconds remaining. It marked Manning’s fifth game-winning drive in the fourth quarter of a postseason game, one of just four quarterbacks to have done so since 1970 along with Brady (seven), JOHN ELWAY (six) and Montana (five). The quarterbacks with at least five game-winning fourth-quarter drives in the postseason since 1970:

QUARTERBACK TEAM(S) GAME-WINNING 4TH-QTR DRIVES Tom Brady New England 7* John Elway Denver 6 Joe Montana San Francisco, Kansas City 5 Eli Manning New York Giants 5*

*Active “I don’t feel pressure,” says Manning, who set a Super Bowl record by completing his first nine passes to start this year’s title game. “I know my assignments. I try to read the defenses. I know the plays. I try to make plays.” Manning’s late-game Super Bowl heroics were no surprise after a regular season filled with stellar fourth-quarter performances. He recorded 15 fourth-quarter touchdown passes in 2011, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (1959) and his brother PEYTON (2002) for the most in a single season in NFL history. The players with the most fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a season in NFL history:

QUARTERBACK YEAR 4TH-QTR TD PASSES Eli Manning, New York Giants 2011 15 Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts 1959 14 Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts 2002 14

“He makes big play after big play,” says Giants President and CEO JOHN MARA of his Pro Bowl quarterback. “I never cease to be amazed. He’s pretty special.” Manning’s excellence was not limited to the fourth quarter, however. He enjoyed the most prolific passing season in the New York Giants’ 87-year history, passing for a franchise record 4,933 yards. Manning also joined Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO as the only players in NFL history to have at least three 400-yard passing games in a season.

TOM TERRIFIC

Last season, Pro Bowl quarterback TOM BRADY (left) guided the New England Patriots to an AFC-best 13-3 record and passed for 5,235 yards, becoming one of four players in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season. Brady also recorded 39 touchdown passes in 2011 (50 in 2007) and joined Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (48, 1984; 44, 1986) as the only players in NFL history with multiple seasons with at least 39 touchdown passes.

“The game is not hard to him,” says Baltimore Ravens All-Star linebacker RAY LEWIS. “It’s like ‘The Matrix,’ where it slows down. It’s poetry when you see it from that angle. It’s a chess match, because he understands every coverage, he understands every defense. And if you give it away too early, then the game is like checkers for him.” Brady, who is one of six quarterbacks in NFL history with 300 career touchdown passes, enters his 13th season with the same passion as when he arrived in the league as a sixth-round selection in the 2000 NFL Draft.

“It’s the best job in the world as far as I’m concerned,” says Brady. “I don’t think there’s anything I’d rather do. I probably have more fun now than I’ve ever had out there, just because you don’t take a day for granted. You get a chance to go out and play football and you look forward to those moments of competition. I don’t enjoy boredom and this is certainly not boring.”

MOST CAREER TD PASSES Brett Favre 508 Dan Marino 420 Peyton Manning 399* Fran Tarkenton 342 Tom Brady 300* John Elway 300 *Active

The two-time NFL MVP has a 124-35 (.780) career regular-season record, the best winning percentage of any NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl era with at least 100 starts. Brady’s 124 career regular season wins are tied for the fifth-most among starting quarterbacks in NFL history. “Tom works extremely hard, he is very coachable, and what you tell him to do, he works very hard on,” says Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK (right, with Brady) who has combined with Brady for the most regular-season wins (124) by a quarterback-head coach duo in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). “He’s never satisfied on where he’s at, what he’s done or how he’s playing. He always finds ways to work on things to make him a better player through better preparation and being more knowledgeable about what we are doing, what our opponents are doing and situation football.” The quarterbacks with the best regular-season record in the Super Bowl era (minimum 100 starts) and the most regular-season wins as a starter in NFL history:

BEST WIN PCT. IN SUPER BOWL ERA MOST CAREER WINS AS STARTER PLAYER RECORD WIN PCT. PLAYER RECORD WIN PCT. Tom Brady* 124-35-0 .780 Brett Favre 186-112-0 .624 Roger Staubach 85-29-0 .746 John Elway 148-82-1 .643 Joe Montana 117-47-0 .713 Dan Marino 147-93-0 .613 Ben Roethlisberger* 80-33-0 .708 Peyton Manning* 141-67-0 .678 Peyton Manning* 141-67-0 .678 Tom Brady* 124-35-0 .780 *Active Fran Tarkenton 124-109-6 .531 *Active

PEY DAY

Acquired by the Denver Broncos in March, quarterback PEYTON MANNING (left) ranks among the NFL elite and aims to continue to move up the charts in the league’s record book. “Peyton has had an unbelievable career,” says younger brother and New York Giants quarterback ELI. “Since I’ve been watching football, I haven’t seen anybody play at a higher level than he has. It has always been my goal to get to his level of football, to get to his level of play. I’ve watched him in situations and I’m just amazed at some of the throws and plays he’s made in his career.” Manning’s success has been attributed to his preparation, focus, dedication, durability and passion for the game. Former Colts head coach and NBC Sports analyst TONY DUNGY spent seven seasons (2002-08) with Manning in Indianapolis and has been a witness to the four-time MVP’s formula for success.

“Peyton is a talented player and works hard, but the thing that I feel that separates him from others is his preparation,” says Dungy. “He never goes into a game where he is not fully prepared. He believes that if you are prepared and you know what you are going to do, then you are going to have a high chance of success. His preparation is legendary.” Manning, who is entering his 15th NFL season, ranks third all-time in career passing yards (54,828), completions (4,682) and touchdown passes (399). Manning needs 286 completions and 22 touchdown passes in 2012 to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (4,967 completions, 420 TDs) for second place all-time in each category.

MOST PASSING YARDS MOST COMPLETIONS MOST TD PASSES Brett Favre 71,838 Brett Favre 6,300 Brett Favre 508 Dan Marino 61,361 Dan Marino 4,967 Dan Marino 420 Peyton Manning 54,828* Peyton Manning 4,682* Peyton Manning 399* John Elway 51,475 John Elway 4,123 Fran Tarkenton 342 Warren Moon 49,325 Warren Moon 3,988 Tom Brady 300* *Active *Active John Elway 300 *Active

Manning needs one 300-yard passing game to surpass Marino for the most 300-yard passing games in NFL history. Manning can also become the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in 12 different seasons.

MOST 300-YARD PASSING GAMES MOST 4,000-YARD PASSING SEASONS Peyton Manning 63* Peyton Manning 11* Dan Marino 63 Dan Marino 6 Brett Favre 62 Brett Favre 6 Drew Brees 57* Drew Brees 6* Kurt Warner 52 Warren Moon 4 *Active Philip Rivers 4* Tom Brady 4* *Active

Broncos All-Star cornerback CHAMP BAILEY (right), who has faced many great NFL quarterbacks during his 14-year NFL career, knows the impact Manning will have in Denver. “He’s an amazing leader, and his leadership alone is, bar none, the best in the league,” says Bailey. “He demands that accountability from other guys, and you see what he’s done. It makes you feel good about coming to work every day, because you know there’s a guy on the other side of the ball that’s going to give it 150 percent regardless. To have him there leading that offense, it’s an amazing feeling.” ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback RON JAWORSKI says a great deal of Manning’s success can be attributed to his high level of football intelligence against complex NFL defenses. “The thing that always amazes me about Peyton Manning is the speed at which he processes what he sees on the field,” says Jaworski. “It’s not just all that preparation that he’s famous for, it’s also how quickly he puts it to use. The speed of processing. It’s been years since Peyton has been surprised by a defense. He is second to none in the pre-snap phase of seeing the defenses. He knows where he’s going with the ball before it’s snapped. He is simply amazing in preparation and speed of processing. There is no one like him and that gives his team confidence, no matter who they’re facing, or what the situation is.”

COOL BREES: SAINTS QB DREW BREES HAS HISTORIC SEASON

Last year, New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl quarterback DREW BREES (left) reached numerous milestones as he posted one of the greatest passing seasons in NFL history and was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press.

Brees set single-season league records for passing yards (5,476), completions (468), completion percentage (71.2), 300-yard passing games (13) and consecutive 300-yard passing games (seven).

“I obviously take a lot of pride in what I do on the football field, because that has the ability to influence a lot of people,” says Brees. “That puts smiles on people’s faces. That gives people a pep in their step on Monday morning when they go back to work. That does so much for the city. We have the greatest fans in the world. There’s no doubt about that. I think each and every day about what can I do to make my team better, make my city better, that’s my mentality.”

Brees passed for 5,476 yards last year and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO’s single-season record (5,084), which was set in 1984.

“I love our fans, I love the fact that everybody could be a part of this on Monday Night Football,” Brees said after setting the record. “There are so many people that are a part of this. It’s not about me, it’s about this team, it’s about this city, it’s about these fans. So many people contributed to this and I’m happy for all of them.”

MOST PASSING YARDS, SINGLE SEASON PLAYER TEAM YEAR SEASON TOTAL Drew Brees New Orleans 2011 5,476 Tom Brady New England 2011 5,235 Dan Marino Miami 1984 5,084 Drew Brees New Orleans 2008 5,069 Matthew Stafford Detroit 2011 5,038

Along the way, Brees notched 13 300-yard passing games – the most ever in a single season – and an NFL-record seven consecutive 300-yard passing games (active streak).

“Drew Brees is good all over the field,” says NFL Network analyst and former head coach STEVE MARIUCCI. “He’s got it all. Not just physical skills, but he’s got a good group of receivers and backs that have good hands and can get the yards after the catch.”

MOST 300-YARD PASS GAMES, SINGLE SEASON MOST CONSECUTIVE 300-YARD PASS GAMES PLAYER TEAM YEAR GAMES PLAYER TEAM YEAR STREAK Drew Brees New Orleans 2011 13 Drew Brees New Orleans 2011 7* Tom Brady New England 2011 11 Steve Young San Francisco 1998 6 Rich Gannon Oakland 2002 10 Kurt Warner St. Louis 2000 6 Drew Brees New Orleans 2008 10 Rich Gannon Oakland 2002 6

*Active streak

Brees also set single-season records for completions and completion percentage. Among the individual seasons with the most completions, he holds three of the top four marks. Brees also holds the top two seasons in NFL history with the highest completion percentage.

MOST COMPLETIONS, SINGLE SEASON HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, SINGLE SEASON PLAYER TEAM YEAR COMP PLAYER TEAM YEAR COMP PCT Drew Brees New Orleans 2011 468 Drew Brees New Orleans 2011 71.23 Peyton Manning Indianapolis 2010 450 Drew Brees New Orleans 2009 70.62 Drew Brees New Orleans 2010 448 Ken Anderson Cincinnati 1982 70.55 Drew Brees New Orleans 2007 440 Sammy Baugh Washington 1945 70.33 Matthew Stafford Detroit 2011 421 Steve Young San Francisco 1994 70.28

Brees has thrown a touchdown pass in 43 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in NFL history. He trails Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS, who passed for a touchdown in an NFL-record 47 games in a row.

MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH TD PASS PLAYER TEAM YEARS STREAK Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts 1956-60 47 Drew Brees New Orleans 2009-11 43* Brett Favre Green Bay 2002-04 36

*Active streak

YOUNG QUARTERBACKS ON THE RISE

Young quarterbacks around the NFL are making opponents take notice and are establishing themselves as stars in the making.

Detroit Lions quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD (left) had a breakout season last year and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year by The Associated Press. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft passed for 5,038 yards and joined DREW BREES (5,476 in 2011; 5,069 in 2008), TOM BRADY (5,235 in 2011) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (5,084 in 1984) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for at least 5,000 yards in a season.

“I think we saw his potential last year,” says former NFL MVP quarterback and NFL Network analyst KURT WARNER. “I don't know what the limit for him is. That was a great year. That’s an MVP year in most seasons and he’s only 23 years old. If he can continue that, and improve in some areas, he’s going to be really, really impressive.”

Carolina Panthers quarterback CAM NEWTON (right) was named the 2011 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by The Associated Press after a record-breaking season. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft recorded an NFL rookie-record 4,051 passing yards, surpassing PEYTON MANNING (3,739 in 1998). Newton also accounted for 35 total touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing), eclipsing the rookie record formerly held by CHARLEY CONERLY (27 in 1948). Newton’s 14 rushing touchdowns were the most in a single season by any quarterback in NFL history.

Stafford and Newton are two of the many young quarterbacks taking the NFL by storm. Second-year quarterback ANDY DALTON of Cincinnati, third-year QB SAM BRADFORD of St. Louis and fourth-year quarterbacks JOSH FREEMAN of Tampa Bay and MARK SANCHEZ of the New York Jets hope to build on their experience going into 2012.

A few of the rising stars at quarterback who were drafted since 2009:

QUARTERBACK, TEAM QUOTABLE Sam Bradford, St. Louis “I stand with most of the personnel people and coaches in the league that evaluated him: he’s

an outstanding person, he’s very, very talented athletically and he’s got a great future. He’s a very, very good player and we have to do whatever we can to surround him with good people. I think he has the chance to be a top quarterback in the National Football League very soon.” – St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati “We obviously have a strong belief in the ability of Andy Dalton to continue playing well and to be the leader of our offense. He was exceptionally effective as a rookie, and as good as he was, we know he has tremendous potential to be even better. Our players believe in him and have faith in the way he goes about everything he does. He’s a tough young man.” – Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay

“He really, really wants to be great. Just listening to him, the calmness, it overshadows how hungry he is inside. He badly wants to be successful. That to me is what makes him a different character and that’s what’s made him so eager to learn with this new staff and work his tail off to make sure he’s got a chance to be what he wants to be. At 24 years old, he understands that the clock is ticking for everybody.” – Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik

Cam Newton, Carolina “He’s really maturing and becoming what you hope for in your starting quarterback. He’s pushing himself. Cam doesn’t just say it, he does it. I’m pretty excited about what we’re getting from him as far as his overall development as a football player and as a leader.” – Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera

Mark Sanchez, NY Jets “His body of work speaks for itself. He’s led this team to big games. You evaluate quarterbacks by wins and losses and I think Mark has already proven that he can win in this league.” – New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan

Matthew Stafford, Detroit

“Obviously it’s great having Matt as our quarterback. The more experience he has, the better he we will get. You can’t help but get excited for him.” – Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson

Sam Bradford Andy Dalton Josh Freeman Mark Sanchez

Additionally, the top two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft were quarterbacks. The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford’s ANDREW LUCK with the first pick and the Washington Redskins made Baylor’s ROBERT GRIFFIN III the second overall selection. Luck and Griffin III became the fifth pair of quarterbacks selected No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the same year since the common draft was instituted in 1967.

YEAR NO. 1 SELECTION NO. 2 SELECTION 1971 Jim Plunkett (New England) Archie Manning (New Orleans) 1993 Drew Bledsoe (New England) Rick Mirer (Seattle) 1998 Peyton Manning (Indianapolis) Ryan Leaf (San Diego) 1999 Tim Couch (Cleveland) Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia) 2012 Andrew Luck (Indianapolis) Robert Griffin III (Washington)

ACTION JACKSON St. Louis Rams running back STEVEN JACKSON (right) rushed for 1,145 yards last season, his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. Jackson, who is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 9,093 yards, is one of only seven players in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in seven consecutive seasons. “It’s a huge achievement,” says Jackson. “It’s a special group of guys to be a part of. Once again, it’s really special. It’s something you dream about. It’s something where you’re amazed at the accomplishment. Everyone – the offensive line, receivers, tight ends – really dug in to help me achieve this and I’m very grateful for that.” With another 1,000-yard rushing season this year, Jackson will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer THURMAN THOMAS and LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON for the fourth-longest such streak in NFL history.

PLAYER TEAM(S) YEARS CONSECUTIVE 1,000s Emmitt Smith Dallas 1991-2001 11 Barry Sanders Detroit 1989-1998 10 Curtis Martin New England, NY Jets 1995-2004 10 Thurman Thomas Buffalo 1989-1996 8 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego 2001-2008 8 Eric Dickerson LA Rams, Indianapolis 1983-1989 7 Steven Jackson St. Louis 2005-2011 7*

*Active streak

CHARLES IN CHARGE

Green Bay Packers cornerback CHARLES WOODSON (left) tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions last season, the second time in the past three years (2009) he has shared the league lead. Woodson earned his eighth career Pro Bowl selection and fourth in a row as a Packer, becoming the first Green Bay cornerback to earn four consecutive All-Star berths since Pro Football Hall of Famer HERB ADDERLEY (1963-67). Woodson, who had a 30-yard interception-return touchdown in Week 4 last year, has 11 career INT-TDs, tied for the second-most in NFL history. He needs one interception-return touchdown to tie Pro Football Hall of Famer ROD WOODSON (12) for the most all-time.

PLAYER TEAMS INT-TDs Rod Woodson Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Baltimore, Oakland 12 Darren Sharper Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans 11 Charles Woodson Oakland, Green Bay 11* Ken Houston Houston Oilers, Washington 9 Aeneas Williams Phoenix/Arizona, St. Louis 9 Deion Sanders Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington, Baltimore 9

*Active “When I first started watching Charles on tape, it reminded me of when I went to Pittsburgh in 1992 and watched Rod Woodson,” says Packers defensive coordinator DOM CAPERS, a former Steelers assistant. “We moved Rod around so he could blitz and be closer to the action. We basically use Charles the same way we used Rod back then.” Charles Woodson has recorded at least one INT-TD in six consecutive seasons and is the only player in NFL history to accomplish the feat. No other player in league annals has recorded an interception-return touchdown in more than four consecutive seasons.

MISTER VERSATILITY In 2011, New Orleans Saints running back-return specialist DARREN SPROLES (right) showcased his versatility, setting the single-season NFL record for combined net yards with 2,696 (1,089 kick return, 710 receiving, 603 rushing, 294 punt return). “After breaking the record, you would have thought that’s what he had planned to do the whole time, the minute he stepped foot in our building,” says Saints quarterback DREW BREES. “That’s what I love about him. There’s not a guy that works harder than him at practice, that practices harder than him, that approaches this game with a bigger level of pride than him. He’s got a big heart, and that’s all that matters.” Sproles’ versatility has created problems for opponents trying to defend him. “He is tremendous and I am a big fan of his,” says Carolina Panthers head coach RON RIVERA. “The Saints use him the way you’re supposed to. He can play the dot for you in a two-back set. He can play the off-set back for you in shotgun. He can play a wing. You can put him in motion. You can bring him back in. The young man poses a lot of headaches for coordinators and head coaches that are defensive minded.” The players with the most combined net yards in a single-season in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM YEAR COMBINED NET YARDS Darren Sproles New Orleans 2011 2,696 Derrick Mason Tennessee 2000 2,690 Michael Lewis New Orleans 2002 2,647 Lionel James San Diego 1985 2,535 Fred Jackson Buffalo 2009 2,516

THANK DEVIN A big return can play a huge role in shifting field position and change a game in a split second. Chicago Bears return specialist DEVIN HESTER continues to bring fans to the edge of their seats every time he touches the ball while opposing coaches struggle to find a game plan against him. “He’s one of the best of all time as a returner,” says Detroit Lions head coach JIM SCHWARTZ. In 2011, Hester led the league in punt-return average (16.2 yards per punt return) and had three combined kick-return touchdowns (two punt-return, one kickoff-return). Hester needs two return touchdowns to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DEION SANDERS (19) for the most return touchdowns in NFL history. “The guy is awesome, the best ever,” says Bears linebacker BRIAN URLACHER. “He’s one return away from tying the all-time record, so I hope he gets it soon. He deserves it.” The players with the most return touchdowns in NFL history:

PLAYER MOST RETURN TDs*, NFL HISTORY Deion Sanders 19 Devin Hester 18** Rod Woodson 17 Ronde Barber 13** Brian Mitchell 13 Lemar Parrish 13 Darren Sharper 13 Aeneas Williams 13

*Includes kickoff, punt, interception, fumble, missed field goal, blocked field goal and blocked punt returns **Active

DOUBLE TROUBLE RUNNING BACKS! They seem to be all over the league. Those running backs that can hurt you two ways: rushing… or catching… the ball. Guys like MAURICE JONES-DREW, RAY RICE, LE SEAN MC COY, CHRIS JOHNSON (right) and others. “If a running back has certain skills like speed, vision, burst, ability to cut and good hands, he can play in any system, whether it’s the I-formation, offset or in a spread,” says Baltimore Ravens general manager OZZIE NEWSOME. Double-threat running backs not only force defenses to be ready for anything, but they allow offenses to keep their best playmakers on the field in any situation. More and more, offenses are relying on these dual-threat runners to keep the chains moving. Eight running backs gained more than 1,000 rushing yards while registering at least 40 catches in 2011. The eight NFL running backs that gained 1,000 rushing yards and caught 40 passes in 2011:

RUNNING BACK RUSH

YARDS REC. QUOTABLE Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville 1,606 43 “They call him ‘Pocket Hercules’ for a reason. If you really want to look

at a back that has everything – vision, speed, power – he’s basically a prototype. He’s got everything, and he can catch.” – New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace

Ray Rice, Baltimore 1,364 76 “He’s a major part of their passing game. Any time a quarterback has confidence in a back to get him off the hook when there’s pressure or somebody’s not open, it’s easy to throw the ball to a guy like Ray Rice, let him run with it and see what he can do.” – New England head coach Bill Belichick

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia 1,309 48 “He is an explosive runner with the speed and quickness to score from anywhere on the field. He also is a dangerous weapon in the passing game, due to his ability to elude defenders in space. With the proliferation of aerial acrobatics in the NFL making it imperative to have a dual threat in the backfield, McCoy is the dynamic playmaker I would want as my feature back.” – NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks

Arian Foster, Houston 1,224 53 “He’s a three-down football player. He never leaves the field, and he’s a young player with a tremendous amount of upside. He’s versatile, always falling forward. He runs good routes. The thing that not many people know is just how smart of a player he is. Arian’s really on top of his game. He’s the total package.” – Houston head coach Gary Kubiak

Steven Jackson, St. Louis 1,145 42 “He’s the key to the whole machine that is the St. Louis offense. He’s a big back who is hard to tackle. If you let him get loose on you, he can be a real handful.” – Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny

Ryan Mathews, San Diego 1,091 50 “He’s got all dimensions because he can do everything. Ryan’s a two-type of back because he can hit you with the power and he has speed. I don’t know if a lot of people know about it, but he’s fast.” – San Diego fullback Le’Ron McClain

Reggie Bush, Miami 1,086 43 “He’s so explosive. And the factor that he brings is so unique. You have to be very disciplined on the edge of your defense because he’ll take the ball back against you. He’s so fast he can outrun you.” – Seattle head coach Pete Carroll

Chris Johnson, Tennessee 1,047 57 “He is the fastest football player I have seen with my own two eyes. He is electric. He is one of my favorite guys to watch on TV and that is saying something in this passing era.” – CBS analyst & Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe

ROOKIES EXCELLED IN 2011 The future is bright for a cast of NFL rookies around the league. Making the transition from college to the NFL can be just as demanding mentally as it is physically. But year after year, rookies across the league emerge as key contributors. “The strength of rookies coming into the National Football League is so much more advanced each year due to the quality coaching and offseason programs that they get in college,” says GIL BRANDT, former Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel (1960-89) and NFL.com senior analyst. “I think last year’s rookie class was an exceptional group in all three facets of the game.”

Many rookies excelled in 2011, highlighted by the standout performances of quarterbacks CAM NEWTON of the Carolina Panthers and ANDY DALTON of the Cincinnati Bengals (left). Newton (NFL rookie-record 4,051 passing yards) and Dalton (3,398) became the first pair of rookies to throw for at least 3,000 yards in the same season. Newton’s 21 touchdown passes are the third-most ever by a rookie quarterback, while Dalton’s 20 passing TDs are tied with DAN MARINO for fourth on the all-time rookie list. Newton accounted for 35 total touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing), surpassing the rookie record formerly held by CHARLEY CONERLY (27 in 1948). His 14 rushing touchdowns were the most in a single season by any quarterback in NFL history (rookies and veterans).

MOST PASSING YARDS BY ROOKIE QB MOST PASSING TDs BY ROOKIE QB

PLAYER TEAM YEAR PASSING YARDS PLAYER TEAM YEAR TDs Cam Newton Carolina 2011 4,051 Peyton Manning Indianapolis 1998 26 Peyton Manning Indianapolis 1998 3,739 Charlie Conerly NY Giants 1948 22 Sam Bradford St. Louis 2010 3,512 Cam Newton Carolina 2011 21 Matt Ryan Atlanta 2008 3,440 Andy Dalton Cincinnati 2011 20 Andy Dalton Cincinnati 2011 3,398 Dan Marino Miami 1983 20

Dalton’s most frequent target last season was fellow rookie wide receiver A.J. GREEN (1,057 receiving yards). Dalton and Green were the first rookie QB-WR teammates in NFL history with 3,000+ passing yards and 1,000+ receiving yards in the same season. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver JULIO JONES led NFL rookies with eight receiving touchdowns and became the first rookie since at least 1970 to have an 80+ yard and 50+ yard touchdown catch in a single game. On defense, San Francisco 49ers linebacker ALDON SMITH (14 sacks) and Denver Broncos linebacker VON MILLER (11.5) also excelled. Smith’s 14 sacks were the second most by a rookie in NFL history, trailing only JEVON KEARSE (14.5 in 1999), while Miller set a franchise rookie record for sacks. The rookies with the most sacks in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM YEAR SACKS Jevon Kearse Tennessee 1999 14.5 Aldon Smith San Francisco 2011 14 Dwight Freeney Indianapolis 2002 13 Simeon Rice Arizona 1996 12.5 Leslie O’Neal San Diego 1986 12.5

Arizona Cardinals cornerback and punt-returner PATRICK PETERSON showed his versatility on special teams. Peterson became the first player in NFL history with four punt-return touchdowns of at least 80 yards in a single season. His four punt-return touchdowns also tied for the most in a single season with Pro Football Hall of Famer JACK CHRISTIANSEN (1951), RICK UPCHURCH (1976) and DEVIN HESTER (2007). Peterson and Christiansen are the only rookies to accomplish the feat.

A.J. Green Julio Jones Von Miller Patrick Peterson Aldon Smith

RECEIVERS MAKING A SPLASH

Last season, wide receivers VICTOR CRUZ of the New York Giants, CALVIN JOHNSON of the Detroit Lions and WES WELKER of the New England Patriots reached historic milestones. The trio marked the second season in NFL history (1995, four) in which three players posted at least 1,500 receiving yards.

SEASON MOST PLAYERS WITH AT LEAST 1,500 RECEIVING YARDS 1995 Jerry Rice* (1,848), Isaac Bruce (1,781), Herman Moore (1,686), Michael Irvin* (1,603) 2011 Calvin Johnson (1,681), Wes Welker (1,569), Victor Cruz (1,536)

*Pro Football Hall of Famer Cruz (left) ranked third in the NFL with 1,536 receiving yards in 2011 and surpassed AMANI TOOMER (1,343 in 2002) for the most receiving yards in a single season in Giants history. Cruz also set a club record with seven 100-yard receiving games last season. “What makes him a great player is he has a great feel for what’s going on around him, where defenders are, what coverages they are in,” says Giants quarterback ELI MANNING. “That’s where it starts. He also does a great job after catching the ball of making guys miss. He’s got a knack for turning a play that is designed to get four, five or six yards into a 60-70 yard gain.”

Johnson registered an NFL-best 1,681 receiving yards last season and ranked second in the league with a franchise-record 16 touchdown catches. He became only the second player (RANDY MOSS in 2003) in NFL history to register 1,600+ receiving yards and 16+ receiving touchdowns in a season. Selected No. 2 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, Johnson also joined Pro Football Hall of Famers LANCE ALWORTH and JERRY RICE as the only players in NFL history to record at least 12 receiving touchdowns three times in their first five seasons. “There are not many players like Calvin Johnson in the NFL,” says Lions head coach JIM SCHWARTZ. “He’s 6-5, 235 pounds, runs a 4.3 in the 40 and he can vertical jump about 44 inches. Each of those things is really good for a certain position, but if you combine all of them into one package, it’s surreal.” Welker hauled in a league-high 122 receptions last year and became the second player in NFL history with at least 120 catches in two different seasons (123 in 2009), joining CRIS CARTER (122 in 1994 and 1995). “Wes Welker would make any quarterback better with his ability to get open and catch the ball,” says Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY. “He’s a very smart player who has a great feel for the game and a great feel on how to get open. That gives me a lot of confidence.” In 2011, Welker also registered his fourth season with 100+ receptions and tied Rice and MARVIN HARRISON as the only players to have four 100-catch seasons.

Victor Cruz Calvin Johnson Wes Welker

PROTECTING THE QUARTERBACK

Protecting the quarterback is vital to NFL success. “For us, it’s always been one of our top priorities,” says Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator CAM CAMERON. “We’re going to protect the quarterback.” With such a premium placed on keeping the quarterback out of harm’s way, it is no surprise that teams have made it a priority to draft offensive tackles. Six picks in the first two rounds of April’s NFL Draft were tackles – MATT KALIL (Minnesota; left with Commissioner Goodell), RILEY REIFF (Detroit), MITCHELL SCHWARTZ (Cleveland), CORDY GLENN (Buffalo), JONATHAN MARTIN (Miami) and MIKE ADAMS (Pittsburgh). In all, there have been 21 offensive tackles selected in the first two rounds of the past three NFL Drafts.

“To have a quarterback not have to worry about his blind side, or have the insurance that the tackle is going to handle the speed rushers helps the quarterback focus more on what is going to happen in the passing game down the field,” says Vikings general manager RICK SPIELMAN, who selected tackle Kalil No. 4 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The tackles selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft since 2010:

PLAYER TEAM DRAFT YEAR (PICK) PLAYER TEAM DRAFT YEAR (PICK) Matt Kalil Minnesota 2012 (4th overall) Derek Sherrod Green Bay 2011 (32nd overall) Riley Reiff Detroit 2012 (23rd overall) Orlando Franklin Denver 2011 (46th overall) Mitchell Schwartz Cleveland 2012 (37th overall) Ben Ijalana Indianapolis 2011 (49th overall) Cordy Glenn Buffalo 2012 (41st overall) Marcus Gilbert Pittsburgh 2011 (63rd overall) Jonathan Martin Miami 2012 (42nd overall) Trent Williams Washington 2010 (4th overall) Mike Adams Pittsburgh 2012 (56th overall) Russell Okung Seattle 2010 (6th overall) Tyron Smith Dallas 2011 (9th overall) Anthony Davis San Francisco 2010 (11th overall) Nate Solder New England 2011 (17th overall) Bryan Bulaga Green Bay 2010 (23rd overall) Anthony Castonzo Indianapolis 2011 (22nd overall) Rodger Saffold St. Louis 2010 (33rd overall) James Carpenter Seattle 2011 (25th overall) Charles Brown New Orleans 2010 (64th overall) Gabe Carimi Chicago 2011 (29th overall)

Riley Reiff Mitchell Schwartz Cordy Glenn Jonathan Martin

Mike Adams Tyron Smith James Carpenter Anthony Davis

MANY HAPPY RETURNS The 2011 season featured many exciting plays in the return game. There were a total of eight 100+ yard kickoff-return touchdowns, the most in any season in NFL history. These exhilarating plays, made by some of the game’s most dynamic playmakers, started early and kept coming. In Green Bay, rookie RANDALL COBB recorded a 108-yard kickoff return-touchdown on opening night, tying the NFL record for the longest kickoff return in history (ELLIS HOBBS, 2007). Also on Kickoff Weekend, San Francisco’s TED GINN, JR. became the 12th player in NFL history to return a kickoff (102 yards) and a punt (55 yards) for a touchdown in the same game, accomplishing the feat just 59 seconds apart. In total, there were eight combined kick-return touchdowns (five punt, three kickoff) in Week 1, the most combined kick-return touchdowns in a single week in NFL history. In Arizona, rookie PATRICK PETERSON (right) became the first player in NFL history with four punt-return touchdowns of at least 80 yards in a single season. His four punt-return touchdowns in 2011 also tied for the most in a single season with Pro Football Hall of Famer JACK CHRISTIANSEN (1951), RICK UPCHURCH (1976) and DEVIN HESTER (2007). Peterson and Christiansen are the only rookies to accomplish the feat. “He’s a special young man,” says Cardinals head coach KEN WHISENHUNT of Peterson. “I’m glad that we have him on our football team. He has such a great feel and he is definitely a force in the return game.” A sampling of kick-return highlights in 2011:

PLAYER TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENT Randall Cobb Green Bay Recorded a 108-yard KR-TD on Kickoff Weekend, tied for the longest

kickoff return in NFL history (Ellis Hobbs, 2007). Joshua Cribbs Cleveland Registered a PR-TD in Week 16, marking his 11th career combined kick

return touchdown (three punt, eight kickoff), the fifth-most in NFL annals. Jacoby Ford Oakland Had a 101-yard KR-TD in his 20th career game (Week 6) and joined

TRAVIS WILLIAMS as the only players in NFL history with at least four KR-TDs in the first 20 games of a career.

Ted Ginn, Jr. San Francisco On Kickoff Weekend, recorded a 102-yard KR-TD and a 55-yard PR-TD, becoming the 12th player in NFL history to have both in the same game.

Devin Hester Chicago Ran his career total of combined return touchdowns to 18 (12 punt, five kickoff, one missed field goal), one behind Pro Football Hall of Famer DEION SANDERS (19) for the most in NFL history.

Patrick Peterson Arizona Became the first player in NFL history with four PR-TDs of at least 80 yards in a single season. His four PR-TDs tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Christiansen (1951), Rick Upchurch (1976) and Devin Hester (2007) for the most in a single season in league annals.

Randall Cobb Jacoby Ford

BIG PLAY EXCITEMENT One well-timed, perfectly-executed play can charge the team, open up the offense and ultimately change the game’s outcome. And fans eagerly anticipate those thrilling moments when their team capitalizes. Detroit Lions wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON and Philadelphia Eagles running back LE SEAN MC COY (left) electrified their teams, fan bases and NFL stadiums last season as they registered the most 20-yard receptions and 20-yard rushes, respectively. Johnson recorded 32 receptions of 20 yards or more while McCoy registered 14 rushes of at least 20 yards. Eagles head coach ANDY REID notes that while McCoy’s production is a reflection of his true ability, notable runs are dependent upon each teammate carrying out his individual assignment.

“It is a compliment to LeSean and the guys blocking around him,” Reid says about the big-play ability of McCoy, who became the fifth Eagle to top 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons. “The receivers had a couple of nice downfield blocks as well so it was a joint effort. LeSean is tough to bring down one-on-one. He has tremendous quickness and lateral mobility.”

The top five “big play” receivers and rushers in 2011:

MOST 20+YARD RECEPTIONS MOST 20+YARD RUSHES PLAYER, TEAM 20+ LG REC YARDS TD PLAYER, TEAM 20+ LG ATT YARDS TD Calvin Johnson, Det. 32 73t 96 1,681 16 LeSean McCoy, Phi. 14 60 273 1,309 17 Steve Smith, Car. 29 77t 79 1,394 7 Matt Forté, Chi. 12 46 203 997 3 Victor Cruz, NYG 25 99t 82 1,536 9 Frank Gore, SF 11 55 282 1,211 8 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari. 25 73t 80 1,411 8 Chris Johnson, Ten. 11 48t 262 1,047 4 Rob Gronkowski, NE 22 52t 90 1,327 17 Michael Turner, Atl. 11 81t 301 1,340 11 DeAngelo Williams, Car. 11 74t 155 836 7

Larry Fitzgerald Matt Forté Steve Smith Michael Turner

CLUTCH PERFORMERS

Many NFL games are decided in the fourth quarter. The difference between a win and a loss can come down to a clutch performer. Some of the most memorable moments in NFL history have taken place with the game on the line. Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS (right) embraces the opportunity to respond under pressure. Last year, Rodgers, who was named the league’s Most Valuable Player, posted an NFL-best 114.3 passer rating in the fourth quarter.

“Aaron, his body of work at such a young age, his attention to detail, his discipline, I think it’s really second to none,” says Packers wide receiver GREG JENNINGS. “It’s unparalleled.” Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JIM KELLY has also been impressed with Rodgers’ play.

“He is without a doubt, in my mind, the best quarterback in the league and probably the best quarterback I’ve seen in years,” says Kelly.

The quarterbacks with the highest fourth-quarter passer rating in 2011 (minimum 80 attempts):

PLAYER TEAM COMP ATT PCT YARDS TD INT 4TH QUARTER RATING Aaron Rodgers Green Bay 67 98 68.4 899 10 4 114.3 Eli Manning New York Giants 120 182 65.9 1,715 15 6 110.0 Tom Brady New England 95 143 66.4 1,223 11 4 107.1 Tony Romo Dallas 91 148 61.5 1,215 10 2 104.4 Drew Brees New Orleans 98 152 64.5 1,164 11 3 103.6

ON TARGET On each passing play, a quarterback assesses the lineup of eligible receivers. Frequently, his initial instinct to connect with his No. 1 receiver is correct, and can be the offense’s biggest threat for a game-changing completion. Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver RODDY WHITE has been the most targeted active player since 2007. White has been targeted 809 times while tallying 471 catches for 6,015 receiving yards during that span. In 2011, White led the NFL with 180 passes thrown in his direction. “I’ve got a great bond with my quarterback (MATT RYAN),” says White. “We’ve been on the same page since he started here and our bond has gotten closer and closer each year.” Arizona Cardinals All-Star wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD (right) has totaled the second most targets (800) among active players since 2007 and ranks first in the NFL in receiving yards (6,480) during that span. “He’s just an incredible football player,” says Seattle Seahawks head coach PETE CARROLL of Fitzgerald. “He’s as good as you can get at this game. I just marvel at the things he does.” The most targeted receivers since 2007 among active players and the 2011 leaders, as per NFL statistics:

MOST TARGETED PLAYERS SINCE 2007 (ACTIVE) MOST TARGETED PLAYERS IN 2011 PLAYER, TEAM(S) TGT REC YARDS AVG PLAYER, TEAM TGT REC YARDS AVG Roddy White, Atl. 809 471 6,422 13.6 Roddy White, Atl. 180 100 1,296 13.0 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari. 800 463 6,480 14.0 Wes Welker, NE 173 122 1,569 12.9 Brandon Marshall, Den./Mia.* 791 474 5,938 12.5 Calvin Johnson, Det. 158 96 1,681 17.5 Wes Welker, NE 752 554 6,105 11.0 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari. 154 80 1,411 17.6 Reggie Wayne, Ind. 742 472 6,234 13.2 Jimmy Graham, NO 149 99 1,310 13.2

*Now with Chi.

YARDS AFTER THE CATCH

Additional yards after the catch are an important part of an offense’s success. Many receivers feel the accuracy of the throw is important for them to gain extra yards after the catch.

“The location of the football allows us to catch it in stride and be able to see the defender in front of us, which allows us to make a move by the time you catch the ball,” says New York Giants wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ. “A lot of it has to do with where the ball is placed and a lot of it has to do with our natural ability.” New England Patriots wide receiver WES WELKER led the NFL in yards after the catch (751) last season. Welker also led the league in receptions with 122 and finished second in receiving yards with 1,569. “Welker is the best receiver in the league right now,” says NFL Network analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver MICHAEL IRVIN. “His versatility makes him one of the best.”

Welker’s teammate, Patriots tight end ROB GRONKOWSKI, led NFL tight ends in yards after the catch and ranked fourth in the league with 668 yards. “When you catch the ball in practice and try and make a guy miss, you just bring that into the game,” says Gronkowski. “The quarterback is going to put the ball where you can make a play, where you can make the catch and get up the field and get some more yards.” The players with the most yards after the catch in 2011, as per the Elias Sports Bureau:

PLAYER TEAM YAC REC YARDS AVG TD Wes Welker New England 737 122 1,569 12.9 9 Darren Sproles New Orleans 703 86 710 8.3 7 Ray Rice (above) Baltimore 684 76 704 9.3 3 Rob Gronkowski New England 656 90 1,327 14.7 17 Arian Foster Houston 635 53 617 11.6 2

MOVING THE CHAINS

A precise route can be the difference between a game-changing play and an appearance by the punt team. On third down, the top-level receivers carefully gauge each step to ensure their routes finish beyond the first-down marker. For the second consecutive season, Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver RODDY WHITE (left), who finished first in the NFC and second in the NFL with 100 receptions in 2011, led all receivers on third down with 29 first-down catches. “Roddy White is one of the strongest, most physical wide receivers that I’ve ever seen,” says Falcons head coach MIKE SMITH. “Roddy’s got the ability to take a short completion and turn it into a long completion.”

The receivers with the most first-down receptions on third down in 2011:

THIRD-DOWN RECEIVING TOTALS: MOST FIRST DOWNS PLAYER TEAM FIRST DOWNS REC YARDS TD Roddy White Atlanta 29 35 438 2 Antonio Brown Pittsburgh 25 28 437 1 Wes Welker New England 24 26 322 1 Doug Baldwin Seattle 23 25 409 0 Austin Collie Indianapolis 22 23 278 1 Victor Cruz New York Giants 22 27 698 5

Antonio Brown Doug Baldwin

AT A LOSS If a defense consistently breaks through the line of scrimmage, it can shut down an offense by disturbing its timing.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end JARED ALLEN (left), a four-time Pro Bowl selection, posted impressive numbers last season when he led the NFL in both sacks (22) and tackles for a loss (27.5). “Jared Allen is going to will himself to get to the quarterback,” says Vikings assistant coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer MIKE SINGLETARY. “I don’t know how he does it. I can’t even really explain it. But he lines up, and the next thing you know, he’s got the quarterback. The mentality and relentlessness that he approaches the game with is second to none.”

New York Giants Pro Bowl defensive end JASON PIERRE-PAUL (right) finished second in the NFL with 23.5 tackles for a loss and ranked fourth in the league with 16.5 sacks in 2011. “JPP loves to play the game and he plays hard and fast,” says Giants defensive coordinator PERRY FEWELL. “He makes plays because he plays so hard on every single football play. He makes plays in the fourth quarter where people are maybe not going as hard as he is. He makes those plays and he comes up big for us. That’s the sign of a young, talented guy that’s growing up.” The 2011 leaders in tackles for a loss and sacks:

MOST TACKLES FOR A LOSS MOST SACKS PLAYER TEAM TFLs SACKS PLAYER TEAM SACKS TFLs Jared Allen Minnesota 27.5 22 Jared Allen Minnesota 22 27.5 Jason Pierre-Paul NY Giants 23.5 16.5 DeMarcus Ware Dallas 19.5 23 DeMarcus Ware Dallas 23 19.5 Jason Babin Philadelphia 18 19.5 Terrell Suggs Baltimore 21.5 14 Jason Pierre-Paul NY Giants 16.5 23.5 Jason Babin Philadelphia 19.5 18 Aldon Smith San Francisco 14 15 Charles Johnson Carolina 19.5 9 Terrell Suggs Baltimore 14 21.5

SACK ATTACK

In 2011, Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl defensive end JARED ALLEN led the NFL with 22 sacks, tied for the second-most in a single season. Allen, who posted an NFL-best 15.5 sacks in 2007, is the sixth player to lead the league in sacks in multiple seasons since the sack became an official statistic in 1982.

“He’s one of those guys where it doesn’t matter if you’re running the ball away from them, they can make the play,” says Oakland Raiders quarterback CARSON PALMER. “He’s a high-effort, explosive, fast, tenacious defender. He can do it all. We definitely need to know where he is at all times.” Dallas Cowboys linebacker DE MARCUS WARE (left), who led the league in sacks in 2008 (20) and 2010 (15.5), finished second last year with 19.5 sacks. “He’s an all-around great player,” says Detroit Lions quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD. “He’s somebody that you’ve got to know where he’s at on the field at all times, and understand what he can do.” Allen and Ware have each led the league in sacks twice in their careers, tying four others for the most ever.

The players to lead the NFL in sacks in multiple seasons (since 1982):

PLAYER TEAM(S) SEASONS SACKS Mark Gastineau New York Jets

New York Jets 1983 1984

19.0 22.0

Reggie White Philadelphia Philadelphia

1987 1988

21.0 18.0

Kevin Greene Pittsburgh Carolina

1994 1996

14.0 14.5

Michael Strahan New York Giants New York Giants

2001 2003

22.5 18.5

DeMarcus Ware Dallas Dallas

2008 2010

20.0 15.5

Jared Allen Kansas City Minnesota

2007 2011

15.5 22.0

NOT DRAFTED? NOT A PROBLEM

How does an undrafted player develop into an NFL star? “A lot of hard work,” says Pro Bowl running back ARIAN FOSTER, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans in 2009. “In life, sometimes things don’t go your way. You can take two roads: you can fold, you can quit, or you can follow your heart and do what you know how to do. That’s what I did.”

New York Giants wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ (left) was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Giants in 2010. Cruz led the Super Bowl XLVI champions with 1,536 receiving yards last year, the most receiving yards in a single season in franchise history.

“I understood that I probably wasn’t going to get drafted and would just have to make the best of my opportunities,” says Cruz. “I knew I had to come in as a practice squad guy and as a free agent, and just do the best I could to make the team. I understood the process and understood that I wasn’t a guy that had blazing statistics, or was 6-6, 230 pounds, or anything like that.”

Last year, there were 15 undrafted players who were named to the 2012 Pro Bowl.

The 15 undrafted players named to the 2012 Pro Bowl squad:

POS PLAYER TEAM POS PLAYER TEAM

K David Akers San Francisco 49ers FB John Kuhn Green Bay Packers

CB Brandon Browner Seattle Seahawks FB Vonta Leach Baltimore Ravens

S Ryan Clark Pittsburgh Steelers G Brandon Moore New York Jets

LS Jon Condo Oakland Raiders ST Montell Owens Jacksonville Jaguars

LB London Fletcher Washington Redskins T Jason Peters Philadelphia Eagles

RB Arian Foster Houston Texans G Brian Waters New England Patriots

TE Antonio Gates San Diego Chargers WR Wes Welker New England Patriots

LB James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers

Jon Condo London Fletcher Arian Foster Montell Owens

Defensive tackle JOHN RANDLE is one of 15 Pro Football Hall of Famers who was not drafted. The former Texas A&I product was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 1990 and recorded 137.5 career sacks, which is tied for the seventh-most in NFL history. “If I didn’t give it a try to come into the NFL, I would regret it for the rest of my life,” says Randle. “It’s an unbelievable feeling because of where I came from and what it took to just make it in the NFL.” The undrafted players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

YEAR PLAYER SIGNED BY YEAR PLAYER SIGNED BY

1946 Frank Gatski Cleveland Browns 1960 Willie Wood Green Bay Packers

1946 Lou Groza Cleveland Browns 1963 Willie Brown Houston Oilers

1946 Marion Motley Cleveland Browns 1966 Emmitt Thomas Kansas City Chiefs

1946 Bill Willis Cleveland Browns 1967 Larry Little San Diego Chargers

1948 Joe Perry San Francisco 49ers 1970 Jim Langer Cleveland Browns

1948 Emlen Tunnell New York Giants 1984 Warren Moon Houston Oilers

1951 Jack Butler* Pittsburgh Steelers 1990 John Randle Minnesota Vikings

1952 Dick “Night Train” Lane Los Angeles Rams

*2012 Hall of Fame inductee

SMALL SCHOOL SUCCESS

They may not come from big-time schools in major NCAA conferences, but their NFL contributions cannot go unnoticed. Productive players from small schools are proof-positive of the old adage, “If you can play, the NFL will find you.”

Green Bay Packers wide receiver DONALD DRIVER (left), who was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft, serves as an example that dreams do come true. The Alcorn State product holds franchise career records in receptions (735) and receiving yards (10,060). “When you get the opportunity to play this game, you have to embrace it,” says Driver. “This game doesn’t just come around. There are a lot of people that never get this opportunity to play on this level and you can’t let this opportunity slip away.”

A sampling of some of the most productive and high-profile small-school stars in the NFL today:

PLAYER, TEAM COLLEGE CAREER HIGHLIGHT DE Jared Allen, Min. Idaho State Four-time All-Star; led NFL with 22 sacks in 2011 WR Miles Austin, Dal. Monmouth Two-time All-Star; had 1,000 receiving yards in 2009 and 2010 C Matt Birk, Bal. Harvard Six-time All-Star; 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year WR Victor Cruz, NYG Massachusetts Set NYG season record with 1,536 receiving yards in 2011 WR Marques Colston, NO Hofstra Only Saint to record five career 1,000-yard rec. seasons LB Zak DeOssie, NYG Brown Two-time All-Star as long snapper WR Donald Driver, GB Alcorn State Three-time All-Star; franchise leader in receptions & rec. yards G Jahri Evans, NO Bloomsburg Three-time All-Star; has started all 96 career games CB Cortland Finnegan, StL. Samford Named to 2009 Pro Bowl; 13 interceptions from 2008-11 QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buf. Harvard Passed for 3,832 yards in 2011, 3rd-most in Bills history QB Joe Flacco, Bal. Delaware Has franchise record 80 career TD passes LB London Fletcher, Was. John Carroll Has played in 224 games (208 starts); named to 2012 Pro Bowl WR Vincent Jackson, TB Northern Colorado Named to 2012 Pro Bowl; 28 TD receptions from 2008-2011 FB John Kuhn, GB Shippensburg Named to 2012 Pro Bowl CB Rashean Mathis, Jax. Bethune-Cookman Named to 2007 Pro Bowl; owns club record with 30 career INTs DE Robert Mathis, Ind. Alabama A&M Three-time All-Star; 41.5 sacks from 2008-11 CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Phi. Tennessee State Named to 2010 Pro Bowl; has 13 career INTs in four seasons QB Tony Romo, Dal. Eastern Illinois Three-time All-Star; threw for 4,000 yards in 2 of past 3 years T Michael Roos, Ten. Eastern Washington Named to 2009 Pro Bowl; has started all 112 career games K Adam Vinatieri, Ind. South Dakota State Two-time All-Star; has four Super Bowl victories WR Nate Washington, Ten. Tiffin Led Titans in catches (74) & receiving yards (1,023) in 2011 CB Lardarius Webb, Bal. Nicholls State Registered team-high five interceptions last season

Matt Birk Zak DeOssie Joe Flacco Robert Mathis (Harvard) (Brown) (Delaware) (Alabama A&M)

QUARTERBACKS OF THE FUTURE

The success of a team often hinges on the production at the quarterback position. So says GIL BRANDT, who oversaw the Dallas Cowboys’ personnel department for 29 years and currently shares his gridiron knowledge as a senior analyst for NFL.com. “The NFL is a quarterback-driven league and we have some great quarterbacks under center in 2012,” Brandt says. Brandt, who also visits college campuses for draft analysis on NFL.com, sees plenty of quarterback talent coming up the pike. “The quarterbacks we see in college now are so much better than ones we saw 20-25 years ago, simply because teams are throwing the ball so much more,” says Brandt. “I think the group of quarterbacks coming out this year will be every bit as good as some of the quarterback classes we have had in the past.” Following are Brandt’s choices for the top QBs in college today (listed alphabetically):

QUARTERBACK HT/ WT BRANDT’S ANALYSIS Matt Barkley, Southern California 6-2/230 “He has started since he was a freshman at USC. He has very good arm

strength and accuracy. He set a Pac-12 record with 39 TD passes last year. He has great leadership qualities and will be the first player at USC to be a three-time team captain.”

Landry Jones, Oklahoma 6-4/230 “He was named after former Cowboys head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tom Landry. He has 93 career touchdown passes. He provides size, accuracy and intelligence at the quarterback position.”

Geno Smith, West Virginia 6-3/214 “He has started 26 games over the past two seasons with 55 TDs and has passed for over 7,100 yards. He has outstanding athletic ability and very good arm strength.”

Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech 6-5/250 “He is an outstanding athlete. He played tight end in high school until his senior year. He has a strong arm and good running ability. He set the school season record with 11 rush TDs last season. He has huge upside.”

Tyler Wilson, Arkansas 6-2/220 “Last season was his first year as a starter after playing behind Ryan Mallett in 2009 and 2010. He set a school single-game record with 510 passing yards vs. Texas A&M last year at Cowboys Stadium. He is mentally tough and a fierce competitor.”

BRANDT’S HONORABLE MENTIONS: Tyler Bray, Tennessee; A.J. McCarron, Alabama; E.J. Manuel, Florida State; Aaron Murray, Georgia; Casey Pachall, TCU; Keith Price, Washington; Denard Robinson, Michigan. The talent pool will only deepen with these five high school seniors, rated in order of talent by CBS Sports Network recruiting expert TOM LEMMING:

LEMMING’S HONORABLE MENTIONS: Ryan Burns, Stone Bridge (VA); Christian Hackenberg, Fork Union Military Academy (VA); Jalin Marshall, Middletown (OH); Johnathon McCrary, Cedar Grove (GA); Brice Ramsey, Camden County (GA).

QUARTERBACK HT/WT HIGH SCHOOL LEMMING’S ANALYSIS Max Browne 6-5/205 Skyline (WA) “He has led his team to two consecutive state championships

and has thrown for over 8,000 yards in the past two seasons combined. He is a pro-style quarterback that can throw the deep ball with authority.”

Tyrone Swoopes 6-5/220 Whitewright (TX) “His aunt is former professional basketball player Sheryl Swoopes. He’s big, athletic and has a good arm. He has great running skills for a big quarterback that complements his game.”

Shane Morris 6-3/190 De La Salle (MI) “He’s a left-handed quarterback and is a precision passer. He was All-State in Michigan and gets the job done. His stock is really soaring.”

Cody Thomas 6-5/215 Heritage (TX) “He has great size and can run. Last year he threw for over 3,000 yards with 36 touchdowns. His arm strength is incredible and he has the potential to become a big-time star.”

Kevin Olsen 6-4/200 Wayne Hills (NJ) “His brother is Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen. He has great leadership qualities and has a strong arm. He can definitely operate a pro-style offense.”

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER TO WATCH? In the NFL, there are great players all over the field. And there are certain guys that are so mesmerizing to watch that fellow NFL players can’t help but admire some of their toughest competition. So whom did NFL players select as their favorite player to watch? Minnesota Vikings running back ADRIAN PETERSON (right) was chosen multiple times by players around the league who admired Peterson’s exciting style and ability to make big plays. “He’s one of the best players in the league, no question,” says Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LE GARRETTE BLOUNT. Other popular choices included quarterbacks PEYTON MANNING, AARON RODGERS and MICHAEL VICK as they were praised for their confident leadership and knowledge of the game. Here are some of the NFL players’ favorite players to watch:

PLAYER, TEAM PLAYER HE LIKES TO WATCH Brendon Ayanbadejo, Bal. “We have so many great players in our league, but I love watching Michael Vick. He is so

dynamic, and he can do anything, be it running or throwing the ball. I like watching Clay Matthews from Green Bay, with just the way he dominates the other players and the speed he plays at. I also like watching Aaron Rodgers a lot, with how he throws the ball and runs well.”

Jon Beason, Car. “Peyton Manning because of his ability to change the way the position is played. I think when you look at what teams are doing in terms of being able to adjust at the line of scrimmage, it’s something that’s modeled after Peyton Manning changing that position and actually being a coach on the field.”

LeGarrette Blount, TB “Adrian Peterson. He’s one of the best players in the league, no question.” Zack Bowman, Min. “Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers.” Chimdi Chekwa, Oak. “Michael Vick. He’s a playmaker.” Dallas Clark, TB “Reggie Wayne. He’s just a special player. He runs phenomenal routes and has an amazing

work ethic. I had the luxury of watching Reggie every day while with the Colts, and now, since we’re on different teams, I’ll still try to catch as much of his play as I can.”

Ryan Clark, Pit. “Right now, it would have to be Patrick Peterson of the Arizona Cardinals. He’s an LSU boy, but the excitement he brings every time he touches the ball is great. I want to see him play offense. He is really a guy I’m looking forward to seeing this year.”

Jo-Lonn Dunbar, StL “Drew Brees. Precision, accuracy, toughness, knowledge. He has it all.” Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buf. “Aaron Rodgers. I like the way that he plays the game and the level of his anticipation, the

arm strength, and the mental side of his game. I think it’s fun to watch him play.” Matt Hasselbeck, Ten. “Aaron Rodgers. I love that offense and how he runs it.” Cam Heyard, Pit. “Justin Smith of the San Francisco 49ers. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he does but

I think he’s one of the best defensive linemen in our game today. He’s very strong, has a strong point of attack, and his bull-rush is lethal.”

Fred Jackson, Buf. “Marshawn Lynch. He’s like my little brother. I want to watch him and see how he does. Plus I like the way he runs, that physical beast mode of his. That’s an easy question for me.”

Chris Johnson, Ten. “Adrian Peterson. I love his game.” James Laurinaitis, StL “Michael Vick. He’s has such a unique level of athleticism so you never know if a play is

over.” Marcedes Lewis, Jax. “Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, Chris Johnson, Peyton Manning. I could go on all

day. They make plays and they’re game-changers. For me, when I’m watching football, I try to add a little bit of what they have to make my game better, so I like watching them.”

Rey Mauluga, Cin. “Not a surprising choice for a linebacker, but for me it’s Ray Lewis. He plays with an intensity every player should strive for. He’s been doing it for a long time and he never lets up.”

Bernard Pollard, Bal. “Adrian Wilson of Arizona. You look at the type of player he is and the style of football he plays, it’s more of that old school football. He’s a humongous athlete, loves to run, loves to hit. He can do a lot on the field. He is a great athlete and person. I try to look at athletes like that and incorporate parts of their game into mine.”

Philip Rivers, SD “Darren Sproles, because you just never know when he’s going to break one.” Matt Shaughnessy, Oak. “Kyle Vanden Bosch because of his non-stop motor and effort.”

WHY I LIKE MY NUMBER

For some NFL players, their jersey number is just a number. But for others, it carries a special significance.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected NAJEE GOODE in the fourth round of the 2012 draft.

Goode wore No. 52 while attending West Virginia and hoped to play in that number at Tampa

Bay. However, when Goode welcomed a new teammate to Tampa Bay, he happily gave up No.

52 and accepted a new number, No. 53.

On May 2, the Buccaneers announced the signing of ERIC LE GRAND (left), who played under

Tampa Bay head coach GREG SCHIANO at Rutgers before LeGrand’s career ended due to a

spinal cord injury. The signing took place on May 2 (5/2) to represent LeGrand’s jersey number

in college (52) and the team assigned LeGrand No. 52.

“Making it to the NFL was my dream,” says LeGrand. “I’m a Buc for life.”

At his introductory press conference in June, LeGrand unveiled his No. 52 Buccaneers jersey. The jersey is available for purchase

in the team shop on Buccaneers.com and LeGrand intends to use the funds from the jersey sales to start the Eric LeGrand

Foundation, which will help advance spinal cord research and provide aid to injured people lacking the right insurance or

equipment.

The reasons behind some NFL players’ numbers:

PLAYER, TEAM NUMBER EXPLANATION

ERIC BERRY, Kansas City 29 To honor his former college teammate, Inky Johnson, who suffered a shoulder injury in 2006.

JAMES CARPENTER, Seattle 77 Wanted to stick with his college number.

MONTARIO HARDESTY, Cleveland 20 Changed his number from 31 to 20 because the number 2 was his college number.

NAJEE GOODE, Tampa Bay 53 Switched from his college number 52 to 53 in order for Eric LeGrand to have 52.

A.J. JENKINS, San Francisco 17 Because 1 plus 7 equals 8, his college number.

ERIC LE GRAND, Tampa Bay 52 His college number. The Buccaneers, in conjunction with Nike, the Rutgers Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and IMG, are currently offering Eric LeGrand No. 52 jerseys for sale in their shop. All proceeds will benefit the Eric LeGrand Foundation, which provides assistance and life training to individuals and families dealing with spinal cord injuries.

JAMIE MC COY, Pittsburgh 80 Changed his number from 45 to 80 to have a more traditional tight end number.

DERRICK MORGAN, Tennessee 91 Changed from 90 to 91, which was his college number.

JASON SMITH, St. Louis 72 Switched from 77 to 72. He wore 72 in college, and the number became available when teammate Chris Long switched from 72 to 91.

RYAN WILLIAMS, Arizona 34 To honor his favorite player, Walter Payton.

MAJOR WRIGHT, Chicago 21 21 was his college number which has significance because it is both his mother’s and his daughter’s birthday.

Eric Berry Montario Hardesty Derrick Morgan Ryan Williams Major Wright

NFL NICKNAMES: TERMS OF ENDEARMENT What’s in a nickname? Some players get them because of their play-making abilities and presence on the field, while others are characterized by their physical appearances and personalities. Cincinnati Bengals running back BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS (right) has been dubbed “The Law Firm” because of his multi-part name. “I look at ‘The Law Firm’ as also being the guys on the offensive line,” says Green-Ellis. “They’re really the firm because they make it happen up front. You can’t be a law firm with just one guy.” Here are some other interesting NFL nicknames:

PLAYER, TEAM NICKNAME DERIVATION Nick Barnett, Buffalo “Nick Beats” From his hobby of mixing music and

performing as a DJ. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants “The Bulldog” Because of his refusal to go down easily. Dashon Goldson, San Francisco “The Hawk” Given to him by former special teams

coordinator Al Everest. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati “The Law Firm” Because of his multi-part name. Devin Hester, Chicago “Windy City Flyer” Created by Chicago Bears play-by-play voice

Jeff Joniak Michael Hoomanawanui, St. Louis “Uh-oh,” or “Illinois Mike” His teammates and coaches often have

difficulty pronouncing his last name. Melvin Ingram, San Diego “Super Melvin” Received the nickname in high school and

college because of his athleticism and versatility. Ingram can do a standing back-flip, dunk a football over the crossbar of a goalpost, dunk a basketball with ease and throw a football more than 70 yards.

Calvin Johnson, Detroit “Megatron” First referenced by former Lions WR Roy Williams when Johnson was a rookie in 2007. Occasionally, Johnson can be seen sporting a New Era Megatron hat.

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay “Muscle Hamster” His college teammates thought he had a small, but heavily muscled stature.

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia “Shady” His mother thought he was shady as a baby – smiling one minute and shy the next.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta “Matty Ice” Because he’s cool under pressure. Antonio Smith, Houston “Scooby” Given to him because of his resemblance to

the cartoon character Scooby-Doo. Cam Thomas, San Diego “Baby Zilla” Because he’s like a young Godzilla. Ryan Williams, Arizona “Lil Sweetness” In honor of his favorite player, Walter Payton.

His twitter handle is @lilsweetness34.

Michael Hoomanawanui Melvin Ingram Doug Martin Matt Ryan

VISITOR’S PASS: FAVORITE NFL STADIUMS It’s great to have home-field advantage, but road trips have their perks, too. Traveling to stadiums that pride themselves on rich traditions, loyal fans and unique weather conditions can present excellent opportunities for the visiting team to rise to the challenge. Plus, for some players, it means heading back to your hometown. Here’s a list of some players’ favorite road stadiums:

PLAYER, TEAM FAVORITE AWAY STADIUM AND REASON Brendon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore “I like to play on grass fields, so when we play in Miami, the weather is

hot and it’s grass. But my favorite might be San Diego, San Francisco or Oakland because I’m from California, and it’s like a homecoming. They all have good crowds as well. The opposing crowds are always rooting for their teams, and they are loud and rowdy, so I enjoy that.”

Dallas Clark, Tampa Bay “New England’s Gillette Stadium. Every time you play there, you know it’s going to be a great battle. I have lots of good playing memories from New England, and not always from games that my team won.”

Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh “New Orleans and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Partly because I’m from there, but also because of the energy in the building and how intense the fans are. The atmosphere is good. It’s closed in, it’s a dome, and it was fun to play there. It’s hard to play there, but fun.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo “My favorite road stadium to play in is Reliant Stadium in Houston because that was where I played my first NFL game and it’s just a fun memory to think back on.”

Jordan Gross, Carolina “Green Bay’s Lambeau Field. I grew up a Packers fan. I think the heritage is awesome and the stadium is really classic.”

Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee

“Lambeau Field in Green Bay. There is such tradition there. My favorite is on a cold day when they announce the temperature and the crowd goes crazy the colder the temperature is.”

Steven Jackson, St. Louis “CenturyLink Field in Seattle. I played in the Pacific Northwest in college. Also, Seahawks fans take great pride in the ‘12th Man’ element, which makes for a great football atmosphere.”

Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville “One of the stadiums that brings a lot of energy is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. It’s pretty loud in there. The Georgia Dome in Atlanta is pretty loud too. The dome effect has a lot to do with it.”

Brandon Marshall, Chicago “Oakland because of the ‘Black Hole,’ especially when they’re having a winning season. The energy of the ‘Black Hole’ and their fans, when you are just running by or interacting with them, is phenomenal.”

Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati “It would have to be Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. It’s always a big game for us, and the crowd is just amped. I know they’re trying to help their team win, but it also fires you up as the visitor to play your best.”

Philip Rivers, San Diego “Denver’s Sports Authority Field at Mile High. I think it’s a beautiful stadium and the atmosphere is awesome. It’s hard, but I’ve always enjoyed going there.”

Lambeau Field (Green Bay) CenturyLink Field (Seattle)

HEY BROTHER The NFL is a family game for players, coaches and fans. Not only can they all share the experience, but brothers also can share the field and sidelines.

Head coaches JOHN HARBAUGH (left) of the Baltimore Ravens (12-4) and JIM HARBAUGH (far left) of the San Francisco 49ers (13-3) each led his team to a division championship, a double-digit win total and his conference’s Championship Game in 2011. The two matched wits last year on Thanksgiving night in the first-ever game between head coach brothers, which the Ravens won 16-6. While elder brother John earned family bragging rights that night, Jim later garnered 2011 NFL Coach of the Year honors, as named by The Associated Press. Two sets of twins – DEVIN and JASON MC COURTY and MAURKICE and MIKE POUNCEY – also significantly impacted their teams in 2011, combining for 59 starts. Cornerbacks Devin (New England) and Jason (Tennessee) will compete on Kickoff Weekend when the Titans host the Patriots at LP Field.

After being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings rookie tackle MATT KALIL hopes to equal the NFL accolades of his brother RYAN, who has earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2010-12). At Southern California, both Kalils collected All-America first-team honors, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer BRUCE MATTHEWS and brother CLAY, JR. as one of only three sets of brothers to receive such recognition at USC. Clay, Jr., who was an NFL linebacker for 19 seasons (1978-96), is the father of active linebackers CLAY (Green Bay) and CASEY (Philadelphia) and son of former NFL offensive tackle/linebacker CLAY, SR. (1950; 1953-55). The Matthews family is only the second family with three generations of NFL players, joining the PYNE family (GEORGE PYNE, JR., GEORGE PYNE, III and JIM PYNE). Here are some of the notable 2012 NFL brothers, as well as when they play each other:

ACHO LB Emmanuel, Cle. LB Sam, Ari.

KEMOEATU G Chris, Pit. DT Ma’ake, Bal.

BAL@PIT 11/18 PIT@BAL 12/2

BABINEAUX DT Jonathan, Atl. DB Jordan, Ten.

MANNING QB Eli, NYG QB Peyton, Den.

COLQUITT P Britton, Den. P Dustin, KC

DEN@KC 11/25 KC@DEN 12/30

MATTHEWS LB Clay, GB LB Casey Phi.

DAVIS TE Vernon, SF CB Vontae, Mia.

MIA@SF 12/9 MC COURTY CB Devin, NE CB Jason, Ten.

NE@TEN 9/9

GRONKOWSKI FB Chris, Den. TE Dan, Cle. TE Rob, NE

DEN@NE 10/7 CLE@DEN 12/23

MOSS WR Santana, Was. WR Sinorice, Phi.

PHI@WAS 11/18 WAS@PHI 12/23

HARBAUGH HC John, Bal. HC Jim, SF

PALMER QB Carson, Oak. QB Jordan, Jax.

JAX@OAK 10/21

HENDERSON LB E.J., Min. LB Erin, Min.

POUNCEY C Maurkice, Pit. C Mike, Mia.

JONES DE Arthur, Bal. DE Chandler, NE

NE@BAL 9/23 RYAN HC Rex, NYJ DC Rob, Dal.

KALIL T Matt, Min. C Ryan, Car.

SCHWARTZ T Geoff, Min. T Mitchell, Cle.

E.J. and Erin Henderson Peyton and Eli Manning Rob and Rex Ryan

MR. IRRELEVANT GOES TO NEWPORT BEACH

It seems as though everybody roots for the underdog, but former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver PAUL SALATA (left, at podium) actually decided to celebrate the underdog. In 1976, Salata founded “Irrelevant Week,” a week-long celebration centered on “Mr. Irrelevant,” the tongue-in-cheek title bestowed annually upon the last pick of the NFL Draft. Each year in June, “Mr. Irrelevant” and his family are invited to spend a week in Newport Beach where they are treated to activities such as a day at Disneyland and the Lowsman Trophy Banquet (a parody of the Heisman Trophy) among other events.

This year’s “Mr. Irrelevant” is quarterback CHANDLER HARNISH (right), who was selected with the 253rd pick by the Indianapolis Colts. “As long as you get that opportunity, then it is on you to take advantage of that, to make a team and try to create your own succes,” says Harnish, who set 30 school records at Northern Illinois. Harnish hopes he can emulate the success of Kansas City Chiefs kicker RYAN SUCCOP, who was 2009’s “Mr. Irrelevant.” Succop set a Chiefs rookie record with 25 field goals made in his first season. “Chandler is relevant, because otherwise you wouldn’t use a pick on somebody,” says Colts general manager RYAN GRIGSON. “He is very smart and mobile. He’s got the ability and we are happy with the pick.” Several notable “Mr. Irrelevants” (active players in italics): MR. IRRELEVANT YEAR DRAFTED/TEAM NOTES QB Chandler Harnish, Indianapolis 2012 Indianapolis 37th Mr. Irrelevant. First Colts Mr. Irrelevant since its

inception in 1976. K Ryan Succop, Kansas City 2009 Kansas City Set Chiefs rookie record with 25 field goals made in 2009. LB David Vobora, St. Louis 2008 St. Louis Has appeared in 34 games with 16 starts in three NFL

seasons. S Ramzee Robinson, Cleveland 2007 Detroit Has appeared in 26 games in three NFL seasons for the

Lions, Eagles and Browns. WR Ryan Hoag

2003 Oakland Signed with Jaguars after spending time with Giants, Redskins and Vikings. Appeared on ABC’s “The Bachelorette” in 2008.

S Mike Green

2000 Chicago Started 48 games for Bears, Seahawks and Redskins in eight NFL seasons.

FB Jim Finn 1999 Chicago Played six NFL seasons for Colts and Giants totaling 45 career starts.

LB Marty Moore 1994 New England Played eight NFL seasons and became first “Mr. Irrelevant” to appear in the Super Bowl (XXXI with Patriots).

C Matt Elliott 1992 Washington Started 14 games on inaugural Carolina Panthers team. Made 32 career starts.

QB Bill Kenney* 1978 Miami Made the Pro Bowl in 1984 with the Chiefs and later became a Missouri State Senator.

WR Kelvin Kirk 1976 Pittsburgh First annual “Mr. Irrelevant.” Played seven years in the CFL and later worked for the Ottawa Citizen.

*Kenney was named as a replacement for Lee Washburn who could not attend training camp due to a back injury.

http://www.irrelevantweek.com/

ACTIVE STATISTICAL LEADERS ENTERING 2012

TOP 10 ACTIVE PASSERS (1,000 or more attempts)

Yrs.

Att.

Comp. Pct.

Comp.

Yards

TD

INT

Rating 1. Aaron Rodgers 7 2,113 1,381 65.4 17,366 132 38 104.1 2. Tony Romo 8 2,592 1,672 64.5 20,834 149 72 96.9 3. Tom Brady 12 5,321 3,397 63.8 39,979 300 115 96.4 4. Philip Rivers 8 3,037 1,930 63.5 24,285 163 78 95.5 5. Peyton Manning 14 7,210 4,682 64.9 54,828 399 198 94.9 6. Drew Brees 11 5,479 3,613 65.9 40,742 281 146 94.0 7. Matt Schaub 8 2,279 1,466 64.3 17,936 98 58 92.2 8. Ben Roethlisberger 8 3,313 2,090 63.1 26,579 165 100 92.1 9. Matt Ryan 4 2,022 1,232 60.9 14,238 95 46 88.4 10. Jeff Garcia 11 3,676 2,264 61.6 25,537 161 83 87.5

TOP 10 ACTIVE RUSHERS TOP 10 ACTIVE PASS RECEIVERS Yrs. Att. Yards TD Yrs. No. Yards TD 1. Thomas Jones 12 2,678 10,591 68 1. Tony Gonzalez 15 1,149 13,338 95 2. Steven Jackson 8 2,138 9,093 52 2. Randy Moss 13 954 14,858 153 3. Frank Gore 7 1,653 7,625 43 3. Reggie Wayne 11 862 11,708 73 4. Willis McGahee 8 1,790 7,366 59 4. Chad Johnson 11 766 11,059 67 5. Maurice Jones-Drew 6 1,484 6,854 62 5. Donald Driver 13 735 10,060 59 6. Adrian Peterson 5 1,406 6,752 64 6. Anquan Boldin 9 707 9,244 54 7. Michael Turner 8 1,417 6,538 56 7. Andre Johnson 9 706 9,656 52 8. Cedric Benson 7 1,529 5,769 31 8. Steve Smith 11 699 10,278 59 9. Chris Johnson 4 1,187 5,645 38 9. Jason Witten 9 696 7,909 41 10. Michael Vick 9 729 5,219 33 10. Larry Fitzgerald 8 693 9,615 73

TOP 10 ACTIVE SCORERS TOP 10 ACTIVE INTERCEPTORS Yrs. TD FG PAT Points Yrs. No. Yards TD 1. Jason Hanson 20 0 463 627 2,016 1. Ed Reed 10 57 1,463 6 2. John Kasay 21 0 461 587 1,970 2. Charles Woodson 14 54 896 11 3. Adam Vinatieri 16 0 387 589(1#) 1,752 3. Champ Bailey 13 50 446 4 4. Ryan Longwell 15 0 361 604 1,687 4. Asante Samuel 9 45 617 5 5. Olindo Mare 15 0 350 480 1,530 5. Ronde Barber 15 43 763 7 6. David Akers 14 0 338 477 1,491 6. Brian Dawkins 16 37 513 2 7. Sebastian Janikowski 12 0 293 392 1,271 7. Nate Clements 11 35 487 5 8. Jay Feely 11 1 274 382 1,210 DeAngelo Hall 8 35 727 3 9. Joe Nedney 12 0 264 372 1,164 9. Terence Newman 9 32 345 3 10. Phil Dawson 13 1 276 321 1,155 10. Ray Lewis 16 31 503 3 # Two-point conversion

TOP 10 ACTIVE SACKERS TOP 10 ACTIVE PUNTERS Yrs. No. (50 or more punts) 1. John Abraham 12 112 Yrs. Punts Avg. Lg. 2. Jared Allen 8 105 1. Shane Lechler 12 933 47.6 80 3. Dwight Freeney 10 102.5 2. Britton Colquitt 7 187 46.1 66 4. Julius Peppers 10 100 3. Thomas Morstead 3 161 45.8 64 5. DeMarcus Ware 7 99.5 4. Andy Lee 8 723 45.7 82 6. Joey Porter 13 98 5. Brandon Fields 5 377 45.7 71 7. Robert Mathis 9 83.5 6. Donnie Jones 8 648 45.3 80 8. Terrell Suggs 9 82.5 7. Mat McBriar 8 494 45.3 75 9. Andre Carter 11 76 8. Jon Ryan 6 483 45.0 77 10. Shaun Ellis 12 73.5 9. Zoltan Mesko 2 115 44.8 65 10. Mike Scifres 9 492 44.8 71

TOP 5 ACTIVE KICKOFF RETURNERS TOP 5 ACTIVE PUNT RETURNERS (40 or more returns) (40 or more returns)

Yrs. No. Yds. Avg. TD Yrs. No. Yds. Avg. TD 1. Johnny Knox 3 55 1,506 27.4 1 1. Patrick Peterson 1 44 699 15.9 4 2. Danieal Manning 6 114 3,067 26.9 1 2. Devin Hester 6 206 2,654 12.9 12 3. Percy Harvin 3 98 2,609 26.6 4 3. Julian Edelman 3 55 680 12.4 2 4. Terrence McGee 9 207 5,450 26.3 5 4. Roscoe Parrish 7 135 1,622 12.0 3 5. Stefan Logan 3 143 3,746 26.2 1 5. Eddie Royal 4 81 967 11.9 2

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2012 BILL BELICHICK, New England, needs 14 victories to surpass Chuck Knox (193), Dan Reeves (201) and Marty Schottenheimer (205) for sixth place all-time in career victories. In 17 seasons, Belichick has 192 career victories. MIKE SHANAHAN, Washington, needs 10 victories to surpass Bud Grant (168), Paul Brown (170), Joe Gibbs (171) and Mike Holmgren (174) for 11th place all-time in career victories. In 18 seasons, Shanahan has 165 career victories. JEFF FISHER, St. Louis, needs three victories to become the 20th coach in NFL history to win 150 games. In 17 seasons, Fisher has 147 career victories.

BELICHICK’S LUCKY 13 New England head coach BILL BELICHICK (right) guided the Patriots to a 13-3 record last season, earning the club its eighth AFC East title in the past nine years and advancing to Super Bowl XLVI. Belichick became the first coach in NFL history with at least 13 regular-season wins in five different seasons (14 in 2003; 14 in 2004; 16 in 2007; 14 in 2010; 13 in 2011). “I admire him and he’s done an outstanding job,” says New York Giants head coach TOM COUGHLIN. “He’s an exceptional football coach.” Entering his 13th season with the Patriots, Belichick has amassed a 139-53 (.724) regular-season record. “I think we’re lucky to have the finest coach in the history of the modern game,” says Patriots owner ROBERT KRAFT. “I think he has done an outstanding job.” Belichick’s five seasons with at least 13 regular-season wins:

YEAR TEAM RECORD PCT RESULT 2003 New England 14-2 .875 Won Super Bowl 2004 New England 14-2 .875 Won Super Bowl 2007 New England 16-0 1.000 Lost Super Bowl 2010 New England 14-2 .875 Lost Divisional Playoff 2011 New England 13-3 .813 Lost Super Bowl

BILL WALSH NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP

Established in 1987, the BILL WALSH NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP provides NFL training camp positions to minority coaches every year. The program, which was named after the man who conceived the idea – late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach BILL WALSH (left) – exposes talented minority college coaches to the methods and philosophies of summer NFL training camps. Walsh introduced the concept to the league in 1987 when he brought a group of minority coaches into his San Francisco 49ers’ training camp.

Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN, who became the youngest head coach (36) in NFL history to win a Super Bowl when he led Pittsburgh to a victory in Super Bowl XLIII, interned with the Cleveland Browns in the summer of 2000 when he was the defensive backs coach at the University of Cincinnati.

“The Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship provided my first exposure to coaching in the NFL,” says Tomlin. “I learned so much from that experience, but most importantly, it confirmed my commitment to wanting to coach in the NFL. The fellowship is simply special.”

Tomlin is one of four current NFL head coaches – LESLIE FRAZIER (Minnesota), MARVIN LEWIS (Cincinnati) and LOVIE SMITH (Chicago) are the others – who are graduates of the program.

Lewis interned with the 49ers (1988) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1991) and is a huge endorser of the program.

“For a young coach, an opportunity through the fellowship is like a college student getting a great internship,” says Lewis. “Suddenly you’re exposed on a daily basis to some of the best people in your field, and you have a chance to show them firsthand what you can do. The contacts you make are invaluable. And of course you also see and learn the quality and expertise that go into every aspect of NFL coaching. I hope the coaches that we’ve hosted in the fellowship are learning some of the same valuable things from our staff.”

The program has tutored more than 1,500 minority coaches through the years and has grown to the point that now every NFL team participates during training camp.

Active NFL head coaches who are graduates of the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship:

HEAD COACH TEAM INTERNSHIP

Leslie Frazier Minnesota 1995 with Arizona

1996 with Indianapolis

Marvin Lewis Cincinnati 1988 with San Francisco

1991 with Kansas City

Lovie Smith Chicago 1988 with Arizona

Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh 2000 with Cleveland

Leslie Frazier Marvin Lewis Lovie Smith Mike Tomlin

2012 NFL MINORITY HEAD COACHES, ASSISTANT HEAD COACHES & COORDINATORS

Keith Armstrong, Atlanta, Special Teams Curtis Modkins, Buffalo, Offense

Maurice Carthon, Kansas City, Assistant Head Coach Winston Moss, Green Bay, Assistant Head Coach

Juan Castillo, Philadelphia, Defense Ron Rivera, Carolina, Head Coach

Romeo Crennel, Kansas City, Head Coach Mike Singletary, Minnesota, Special Assistant to the Head Coach

Perry Fewell, New York Giants, Defense Lovie Smith, Chicago, Head Coach

Leslie Frazier, Minnesota, Head Coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh, Head Coach

Jerry Gray, Tennessee, Defense Mel Tucker, Jacksonville, Assistant Head Coach, Defense

Ray Horton, Arizona, Defense Bobby Turner, Washington, Assistant Head Coach

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati, Head Coach Alan Williams, Minnesota, Defense

John Mitchell, Pittsburgh, Assistant Head Coach

2012 NEW COACHES QUESTIONNAIRES

DENNIS ALLEN — OAKLAND RAIDERS HOBBIES: Fly fishing, bicycling

LAST BOOK READ (& AUTHOR): They Call Me Coach by John Wooden FAVORITE MOVIE: The Hangover

FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: WaterColor, FL

BEST FOOTBALL NICKNAME: “Prime Time” (Deion Sanders) FAVORITE COLLEGE TOWN: College Station, TX WHICH NFL TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW AS A CHILD: Dallas Cowboys

FAVORITE ATHLETE AS A CHILD: Ronnie Lott

FAVORITE STADIUM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN, AND WHY: Sun Life Stadium, because I helped our team (New Orleans

Saints) win a Super Bowl there.

FAVORITE SPORTS UNIFORM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN: Boston Celtics FAVORITE OTHER SPORT: Basketball PERSON YOU’D MOST LIKE TO MEET: George Washington, because he was our country’s first leader.

PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: My dad, Grady Allen

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: “Follow your dreams” PLAYER (FORMER OR CURRENT) WHO’D MAKE A GREAT HEAD COACH: Drew Brees GREATEST OVERACHIEVER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Dat Nguyen BEST PURE ATHLETE YOU’VE COACHED: Champ Bailey

TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Brian Young

MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Every player I’ve ever coached has inspired me in some way to

become a better coach

FUNNIEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED, AND WHY: Pierson Prioleau, because he made me laugh, and he had a great

personality

TOUGHEST COACH YOU’VE EVER FACED, AND WHY: Bill Belichick, because he always has his team prepared for every

situation GREATEST TEAM YOU’VE EVER COMPETED AGAINST: 2009 Indianapolis Colts, in Super Bowl XLIV TOUGHEST GAME YOU'VE EVER COMPETED IN, AS A COACH OR PLAYER: 2009 NFC Championship Game vs. Minnesota

Vikings

LOUDEST CROWD OF YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER, HOME OR AWAY: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE FOOTBALL WRITER YOU’VE EVER MET: Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News MOST OVERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBALL: Statistics

MOST UNDERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBAL: Mindset

WHO HAS THE HARDEST JOB IN FOOTBALL: Coaches’ wives

MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENT: Winning Super Bowl XLIV

ONE THING YOU'D CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: Fewer injuries

ONE THING THAT SHOULD NEVER CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: The lifelong relationships coaches develop with

coaches, players with coaches, and players with players, by being part of a team, something so much more than themselves IF YOU WEREN'T COACHING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING: Being a dad and a husband, doing whatever they wanted to

do

ANY TRENDS YOU SEE DEVELOPING IN THE NFL IN 2012: Increase in offensive production. The game is shifting to allow

teams to score more points

JEFF FISHER — ST. LOUIS RAMS HOBBIES: Fly fishing, bow hunting, golf

LAST BOOK READ (& AUTHOR): The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

FAVORITE MOVIE: Field of Dreams

FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican and Japanese

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Montana

FAVORITE COLLEGE TOWN: Auburn, Alabama

WHICH NFL TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW AS A CHILD: Los Angeles Rams

FAVORITE STADIUM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN: Los Angeles Coliseum

FAVORITE OTHER SPORT: Baseball

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: “Take a deep breath” GREATEST OVERACHIEVER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Steve McNair

BEST PURE ATHLETE YOU’VE COACHED: Eddie George

TOUGHEST COACH YOU’VE EVER FACED, AND WHY: Tom Coughlin, because his teams are always prepared

GREATEST TEAM YOU’VE EVER COMPETED AGAINST: Pittsburgh Steelers

LOUDEST CROWD OF YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER, HOME OR AWAY: Tennessee Titans fans

MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE FOOTBALL WRITER YOU’VE EVER MET: Jeff Legwold, Denver Post

MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENT: Music City Miracle

MIKE MULARKEY — JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS HOBBIES: Traveling, boating

LAST BOOK READ (& AUTHOR): Good to Great by Jim Collins

FAVORITE MOVIE: Field of Dreams

FAVORITE FOOD: Chocolate

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Turks & Caicos

BEST FOOTBALL NICKNAME: “Bronko” Nagurski

FAVORITE COLLEGE TOWN: Gainesville, FL

WHICH NFL TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW AS A CHILD: Pittsburgh Steelers

FAVORITE ATHLETE AS A CHILD: Jack Lambert

FAVORITE STADIUM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN, AND WHY: Lambeau Field, because of the tradition

FAVORITE SPORTS UNIFORM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN: San Diego Chargers

FAVORITE OTHER SPORT: NASCAR

PERSON YOU’D MOST LIKE TO MEET: Robert De Niro

PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: My family

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: “It’s the things you do when nobody is watching that will make you successful” PLAYER (FORMER OR CURRENT) WHO’D MAKE A GREAT HEAD COACH: Peyton Manning GREATEST OVERACHIEVER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Brian Finneran

BEST PURE ATHLETE YOU’VE COACHED: Kordell Stewart

TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Mark Bruener

MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Hines Ward

FUNNIEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED, AND WHY: Hines Ward, because he’s the most physical blocker as a wide

receiver and always had a smile on his face

TOUGHEST COACH YOU’VE EVER FACED, AND WHY: Bill Belichick, because he always has a team that is well-prepared and

very disciplined

GREATEST TEAM YOU’VE EVER COMPETED AGAINST: 1985 Chicago Bears

TOUGHEST GAME YOU'VE EVER COMPETED IN, AS A COACH OR PLAYER: Against the 1985 Chicago Bears as a player

LOUDEST CROWD OF YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER, HOME OR AWAY: Seattle

MOST OVERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBALL: Players are overpaid

MOST UNDERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBAL: The importance of how special teams affect the outcome of games every week

WHO HAS THE HARDEST JOB IN FOOTBALL: Officials

MOST EMBARASSING FOOTBALL MOMENT: On my first day as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, I gave a speech to our

kicker on how physical of a player I wanted him to be, thinking he played linebacker for us

MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENT: Finishing 9-7 in 2004 as a rookie head coach in Buffalo after starting 0-4

ONE THING YOU'D CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: Offseason rules that do not allow players to work out together at their

own facilities

ONE THING THAT SHOULD NEVER CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: Competitive balance

IF YOU WEREN'T COACHING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING: Teaching or in advertising

ANY TRENDS YOU SEE DEVELOPING IN THE NFL IN 2012: Spread offense with mobile QBs

CHUCK PAGANO — INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HOBBIES: Golf, fishing, reading

LAST BOOK READ (& AUTHOR): Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

FAVORITE MOVIE: Braveheart

FAVORITE FOOD: Italian

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Las Vegas

BEST FOOTBALL NICKNAME: “Prime Time” (Deion Sanders)

FAVORITE COLLEGE TOWN: Boise, Idaho

WHICH NFL TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW AS A CHILD: Denver Broncos

FAVORITE ATHLETE AS A CHILD: Dick Butkus

FAVORITE STADIUM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN, AND WHY: M&T Bank Stadium, because of the great fan experience,

marching band and the Ray Lewis dance

FAVORITE SPORTS UNIFORM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN: Dallas Cowboys

FAVORITE OTHER SPORT: Golf

PERSON YOU’D MOST LIKE TO MEET: Louis Zamperini

PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: My uncle Joe Domko

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: “Tough times never last, tough people do!” PLAYER (FORMER OR CURRENT) WHO’D MAKE A GREAT HEAD COACH: Ray Lewis GREATEST OVERACHIEVER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Corey Ivy

BEST PURE ATHLETE YOU’VE COACHED: Ed Reed

TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Jarret Johnson

MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Ray Lewis

FUNNIEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Frank Walker

TOUGHEST COACH YOU’VE EVER FACED: Bill Belichick

GREATEST TEAM YOU’VE EVER COMPETED AGAINST: New England Patriots

TOUGHEST GAME YOU'VE EVER COMPETED IN, AS A COACH OR PLAYER: 2012 AFC Championship Game

LOUDEST CROWD OF YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER, HOME OR AWAY: 1986 Miami vs. South Carolina at South Carolina

MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE FOOTBALL WRITER YOU’VE EVER MET: Peter King, Sports Illustrated

MOST OVERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBALL: Individual honors

MOST UNDERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBAL: Relationships

WHO HAS THE HARDEST JOB IN FOOTBALL: Quarterback

MOST EMBARASSING FOOTBALL MOMENT: Taking a shot to the “you know where” on the sidelines

MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENT: Scored a touchdown on an interception lateral vs. the Colorado Buffalos in Boulder

while playing at Wyoming

ONE THING YOU'D CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: Cut the preseason down

ONE THING THAT SHOULD NEVER CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: Competitive level

IF YOU WEREN'T COACHING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING: Teaching

ANY TRENDS YOU SEE DEVELOPING IN THE NFL IN 2012: More passing yards than ever

JOE PHILBIN — MIAMI DOLPHINS HOBBIES: Family

LAST BOOK READ (& AUTHOR): The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Sting

FAVORITE FOOD: Turkey and mashed potatoes

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Cape Cod

FAVORITE COLLEGE TOWN: Iowa City, Iowa

WHICH NFL TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW AS A CHILD: Miami Dolphins

FAVORITE ATHLETE AS A CHILD: Carl Yastrzemski

FAVORITE STADIUM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN: Fenway Park

FAVORITE OTHER SPORT: Baseball

PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: Mom and dad

BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: “Be yourself” MOST OVERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBALL: X’s and O’s

MOST UNDERRATED ASPECT OF FOOTBAL: Blocking and tackling

WHO HAS THE HARDEST JOB IN FOOTBALL: Officials

IF YOU WEREN'T COACHING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING: Teaching

GREG SCHIANO — TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS HOBBIES: Football, beach

LAST BOOK READ (& AUTHOR): Lead for God’s Sake by Todd Gongwer

FAVORITE MOVIE: Rocky

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Beach

WHICH NFL TEAM DID YOU FOLLOW AS A CHILD: Jets, Giants, Redskins

FAVORITE STADIUM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN, AND WHY: Rutgers Stadium, because we built it

PERSON YOU’D MOST LIKE TO MEET: John Wooden

PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: My father and Joe Paterno

PLAYER (FORMER OR CURRENT) WHO’D MAKE A GREAT HEAD COACH: Art Frost GREATEST OVERACHIEVER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: John Magnum

BEST PURE ATHLETE YOU’VE COACHED: Ray Rice

TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Al Blades

MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED: Eric LeGrand

FUNNIEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER COACHED, AND WHY: John Nacola, because of his imitations

GREATEST TEAM YOU’VE EVER COMPETED AGAINST: 1996 Green Bay Packers

TOUGHEST GAME YOU'VE EVER COMPETED IN, AS A COACH OR PLAYER: Miami vs. FSU, 2000

MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE FOOTBALL WRITER YOU’VE EVER MET: Tom Lucci, Newark Star Ledger

WHO HAS THE HARDEST JOB IN FOOTBALL: Quarterback

MOST MEMORABLE FOOTBALL MOMENT: Rutgers vs. Louisville, 2006

ONE THING YOU'D CHANGE ABOUT NFL FOOTBALL: Kickoff

IF YOU WEREN'T COACHING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING: Business

EXCITEMENT IN NEW CITIES AS NEW COACHES TAKE OVER This season, seven NFL teams – Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Miami, Oakland, St. Louis and Tampa Bay – hired new head coaches to lead their franchises. Ranging from a coach with 17 years of NFL head coaching experience (JEFF FISHER of the St. Louis Rams) to those entering their first season with the title, each has unique experiences to share with his new organization, players and fans. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH CHUCK PAGANO:

Pagano, who embarks on his 11th year coaching in the NFL, was named a head coach for the first time in his 28-year professional and collegiate coaching career when the Colts named him to the position on January 25. While his résumé definitively depicts a skilled defensive coach, the Colts and first-year general manager RYAN GRIGSON are certain they selected a versatile football mind with exceptional character. “He brings leadership,” says Grigson. “First and foremost, he brings people skills. He’s known for reaching players, no matter if they’re a veteran or a rookie. He has that gift, which I think is very instrumental and imperative in a defense and a team in general. The allure of him was the fact that he doesn’t have to try to be a leader. He is a leader. Players respond to him, and I see him in that same light as a head coach as he was when he was a defensive coordinator and a position coach.”

In 2011 – his first year as an NFL defensive coordinator – Pagano directed a Baltimore Ravens unit that allowed the third-fewest points per game (16.6) and yards per game (288.9) and finished second in rush defense (77.3 yards per game) en route to an AFC North championship. Prior to joining the Ravens as a secondary coach in 2008, the Boulder, Colorado native gained NFL experience as a secondary coach for the Cleveland Browns (2001-04) and as a defensive backs coach for the Oakland Raiders (2005-06). Hailing from a football family, Pagano’s brother, John, was named the San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator this past offseason. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS HEAD COACH MIKE MULARKEY: When the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Mularkey to be the third head coach in franchise history, the club acquired a man whose professional coaching career spans 18 NFL seasons. Mularkey, who served as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2004-05, ventured south to acquire the top position in Jacksonville after spending four years as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (2008-11). Mularkey, a three-year letterman as a tight end at Florida (1979-82), launched his coaching career at Concordia College in 1993 before accepting spots to coach his former position group for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-95) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-2000). He spent three seasons as the Steelers offensive coordinator (2001-03) prior to leading the Bills and then spent two years with the Miami Dolphins (offensive coordinator, 2006; tight ends coach, 2007). First-year owner SHAHID KHAN was looking for a head coach who would not only win games but someone who would also be a trustworthy leader and connect with the team and the local community. “Mike Mularkey is that man,” says Khan. “I have a huge amount of confidence that this decision is going to serve the Jaguars and Jacksonville well. It’s going to push it forward. It’s going to be great.”

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS HEAD COACH ROMEO CRENNEL: After leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 2-1 record to close the 2011 season, highlighted by wins over the then-unbeaten Green Bay Packers and the AFC West rival Denver Broncos, interim head coach/defensive coordinator Crennel earned the honor of being the club’s 12th head coach. Crennel, who will retain his defensive coordinator duties, has logged 30 years in the NFL, including four as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns (2005-08).

“In 30 years as a coach in the National Football League, Romeo has established an outstanding track record of success, and we believe his experience and proven ability make him the best person to help us reach our goal of consistently competing for championships,” says Kansas City Chairman and CEO CLARK HUNT. Crennel began his career coaching college defenses from 1970-80 and his professional career with the New York Giants (1981-92). He coached the defensive line for the Giants (1990-92), New England Patriots (1993-96) and New York Jets (1997-99) prior to obtaining responsibilities as the defensive coordinator in Cleveland (2000) and New England (2001-04). MIAMI DOLPHINS HEAD COACH JOE PHILBIN: On January 20, Philbin became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins after spending nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2003-11). During Philbin’s tenure as the Packers offensive coordinator from 2007-11, Green Bay recorded the most wins in the NFC (55), ranked third in the NFL in points per game (28.3) and won Super Bowl XLV. A former Washington & Jefferson College (Penn.) tight end (1980), Philbin has 28 years of coaching experience and spent the bulk of his career coaching offensive linemen. Prior to being named offensive line coach in 2006, he came to Green Bay as an assistant offensive line coach in 2003 before additionally acquiring the tight ends from 2004-05. Dolphins Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner STEPHEN ROSS and general manager JEFF IRELAND agreed that Philbin’s strong personality, skill set and demonstrated success made him the best choice. “Joe has all the attributes that we were looking for when we started this process,” says Ross. “Jeff Ireland and I felt Joe was the right choice to bring the Dolphins back to the success we enjoyed in the past. He not only has a history of developing a productive offense, but developing players to work within that system.” OAKLAND RAIDERS HEAD COACH DENNIS ALLEN:

Allen, who served as the defensive coordinator for the AFC West champion Denver Broncos in 2011, enters his 17th season coaching – and his 11th in the NFL – as the youngest active head coach in the league. Allen, on January 30, was named the 18th head coach in Oakland’s 52-year history. Following four seasons playing safety at Texas A&M (1992-95) and four as a graduate assistant at the university (1996-99), Allen honed his defensive awareness at the University of Tulsa (secondary coach, 2000-01) and in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (defensive quality control, 2002-03; defensive assistant, 2004-05). In 2006, he started a four-year stint with the New Orleans Saints, where he served as an assistant defensive line coach from 2006-07 and as the defensive backs coach from 2008-10, before heading to Denver.

In addition to boosting the Saints secondary as the franchise claimed its first Super Bowl title in 2009, Allen helped the Broncos claim their first division title since 2005 after overtaking a defense that allowed the most points per game (29.4) and yards per game in 2010. That improvement caught the attention of Raiders general manager REGGIE MC KENZIE, who shares his first season in Oakland with Allen. “I saw how the secondary vastly improved in New Orleans and won the Super Bowl with Dennis as secondary coach,” says McKenzie. “What he did in Denver to turn that defense around, it made me take notice. I was definitely looking for a coach with great passion. He had all of that and then some. He had everything that I was looking for in a head coach.” ST. LOUIS RAMS HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER: The St. Louis Rams selected a proven head coach in Fisher, who can become the 20th coach to reach 150 career wins (including postseason). During his 17 years spearheading the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1994-2010), he amassed 142 regular-season victories – tied for the third-most among active coaches – with three division titles, two AFC Championship Game appearances and a berth in Super Bowl XXXIV. He also served as an executive vice president of the club for 11 years. Fisher (142-120, .542) was elevated to head coach during the 1994 season from his role as the Oilers defensive coordinator. After accruing four seasons with the Chicago Bears (1981-84), the former Southern California defensive back earned a Super Bowl XX ring with the team in 1985 despite spending the year on injured reserve with an ankle injury that ended his playing career. His coaching career then developed with the Philadelphia Eagles (defensive backs coach, 1986-87; defensive coordinator, 1988-90), Los Angeles Rams (defensive coordinator, 1991) and San Francisco 49ers (1992-93).

With such valuable experience as an NFL coach and executive, Fisher fit St. Louis Rams Owner/Chairman STAN KROENKE’s goals. “We have developed a model that we have a lot of confidence in,” says Kroenke. “At the center of that is an experienced, confident head coach who has been in a lot of different situations. Jeff is absolutely what we were looking for. I told Jeff early on that’s the way we viewed the world of sport and how important it was to find that kind of coach.” TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS HEAD COACH GREG SCHIANO: After 11 seasons as the head coach at Rutgers (2001-11), Schiano returns to the NFL and Florida as the Buccaneers’ ninth head coach in franchise history. Schiano served as the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator from 1999-2000 after spending three seasons with the Chicago Bears (1996-98).

Schiano, who owns 25 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional ranks, led the Scarlet Knights to winning seasons and a bowl game in six of the past seven years, compiling a 56-33 record (.629) during that stretch. Under his guidance, Rutgers won five of those six bowl games after only qualifying for one in the program’s 135-year history prior to his arrival, a loss in the 1978 Garden State Bowl. It is this past success, coupled with an ability to connect with his players, that convinced Buccaneers Co-Chairman JOEL GLAZER that the former Bucknell linebacker was the optimal candidate. “From his leadership skills to his impressive track record, Greg Schiano is, simply put, the right man for the job,” says Glazer.

“W.I.N: WHAT’S IMPORTANT NOW” Last season’s AFC North champions, the Baltimore Ravens, embraced this message coined by former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz to focus on the task at hand. “‘W.I.N.’ is all over our building,” says GABRIELLE DOW, Ravens vice president of marketing. Coach [JOHN] HARBAUGH uses it as part of the mentality he wants to build for his team.” Many NFL teams post messages, goals or quotations throughout their facilities. The selection of inspiration can draw from the old school by quoting NFL greats or take on a voice of its own. The messages cover everything from basic work ethic to philosophical mindsets. Below is a sampling of quotes that are used to inspire and motivate NFL teams:

TEAM MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGE Arizona Cardinals “Get your mind right.” – John Lott, Cardinals strength and conditioning coach Baltimore Ravens “W.I.N.: What’s Important Now.” “Work Hard, Stay Loose, Stay Focused, Be Accountable, Take Care of One Another.” Chicago Bears “Failure does not make you a loser, quitting does.” “If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you

have never done.” Cincinnati Bengals “Winning makes believers of us all.” – Paul Brown “One player can impact a game. One team wins championships.” Dallas Cowboys “Finish. Finish. Finish.” “Passion. Emotion. Enthusiasm.” Jacksonville Jaguars “Relentless!” Kansas City Chiefs “Don’t confuse routine with commitment.” Philadelphia Eagles “It’s time.” San Diego Chargers “Trust one another.” “Start fast, finish strong.” San Francisco 49ers “Four fights every day: Us vs. Them, Division From Within, Adversity, Fatigue.” “No man can be a football player who does not love the game. Half-heartedness or

lack of earnestness will eliminate any man from a football team. The love of the game must be genuine. It is not devotion to a fad that makes men play football; it is because they enjoy their struggle.” – Fielding H. Yost

Tampa Bay Buccaneers “TBA – Trust, Belief, Accountability.” Tennessee Titans “Be a ‘Pro’… know what to do and do it.” “One Team, One Goal.”

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