Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Leads Pro Bowl Charge with Five Weeks of Voting Remaining On NFL.com

Teams to be Announced on Pro Bowl Selection Show December 27 on NFL Network

Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS, with 589,801 votes, leads all NFL All-Stars in balloting for the 2012 Pro Bowl, NFL.com announced today.  2012 Pro Bowl voting will continue online and on web-enabled mobile phones by going to NFL.com/probowl through Monday, December 19.

New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY (537,780 votes) leads all AFC players and ranks second overall, while Detroit Lions wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON (487,547 votes), Minnesota Vikings running back ADRIAN PETERSON (469,117 votes) and New England Patriots wide receiver WES WELKER (430,945 votes) round out the top five on NFL.com.

Balloting will conclude on Monday, December 19 following the conclusion of Monday Night Football (Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers, ESPN, 8:30 pm (ET).  The teams will be announced at 7:00 pm (ET) Tuesday, December 27 on a special NFL Total Access 2012 Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network.

The 2012 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 29, 2012 and televised live on NBC at 7:00 pm (ET) from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Fans may purchase tickets starting later this month at NFL.com/probowl.

The AFC and NFC All-Star squads are based on the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts one-third toward determining the 43-man rosters that represent the American Football Conference and National Football Conference in the Pro Bowl. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes on December 21-22.

The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.

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NFL Magazine, the Official Monthly Magazine of the National Football League, to Launch December 2011

Magazine to Offer Fans In-Depth Editorial, Behind-the-Scenes Information, and Exclusive Photos Year-Round

NFL Great Boomer Esiason and Veteran NFL Reporter Andrea Kremer Join as Regular Contributors

Collectors’ Debut Issue on Newsstands Nationwide December 13

New York, NY, November 15, 2011 – The National Football League will launch its official monthly publication, NFL Magazine, on December 13, 2011, it was announced today.  The collectors’ edition, in print just in time for holiday gift subscriptions, will be the first of 12 monthly issues published by the NFL and will be available by subscription and on newsstands nationwide.

“We are constantly seeking to serve fans by delivering unique and compelling content,” said Kevin LaForce, NFL Vice President of Media Strategy & Business Development.  “The features and stories told in NFL Magazine will chronicle the game like never before – we are excited to offer fans this new way to discover and remember every NFL season.”

NFL Magazine will feature on-and-off the field coverage, providing fans insight into players and teams that can only be delivered by the official magazine of the NFL.   Additionally, in each issue, NFL experts and top sports journalists will offer an inside-the-huddle perspective and exclusive insights, analysis, and features from NFL Network and NFL.com.

NFL great Boomer Esiason and longtime NFL reporter Andrea Kremer have joined the magazine as regular contributors, and Jim Buckley, a veteran NFL Publishing editor and author will serve as the magazine’s editor.

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Raiders-Chargers on Thursday Night Football Most-Watched NFL Network Opener

More than 5 million fans watched — up 6 percent from 2010

Ranks as cable’s No. 1 show of night

Last night’s Oakland Raiders-San Diego Chargers game on NFL Network was watched by an average of 5.3 million cable viewers (not including over-the-air stations in Oakland-San Francisco and San Diego) – topping last year’s opening night record (5.0 million for Ravens-Falcons) by six percent and ranking as the most-watched opener in the six seasons of Thursday Night Football.

The game, which marked the debut of the TNF announcing team (Mike Mayock, Brad Nessler and Alex Flanagan), was also the night’s No. 1 show among all programs on cable. Other sports competition included Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech college football on ESPN, which drew 3.1 million viewers.

Thursday Night Football continues with the New York Jets at Denver Broncos next Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8:00 PM ET. The Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears pregame show begins at 6:00 PM ET.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

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Review Process for On-Field Rules Violations

The process for a play to be reviewed for potential disciplinary action starts with the NFL Officiating Department reviewing every play of every game.  Any play involving a violation that needs to be reviewed for possible discipline, whether penalized on the field or not, is referred to Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson and his staff,  which includes Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks, a nine-year NFL veteran (1991-99).  Merton Hanks or Ray Anderson make the initial determination for discipline for on-field violations.

Once the player receives notification of the discipline, he has the right to appeal.  Appeals for on-field rules violations are heard in accordance with a 2010 agreement between the NFL and NFLPA.  The jointly appointed and compensated appeals officers are Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Shell and former NFL player and coach Ted Cottrell.

As per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the schedule of fines for on-field conduct is provided to the NFLPA prior to the start of training camp each season for its review.  The 2011 schedule of fines, which was accepted by the NFLPA, serves as the basis of discipline for the infractions identified on that schedule (below).

Fines listed are minimums. Other forms of discipline, including higher fines and suspension, may also be imposed, based on the circumstances of a particular violation.

Players who were fined for violations in 2009 or 2010, and whose fines were either partially or fully upheld, will be considered second and/or repeat offenders under this policy.

Discipline in each case will be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances. This includes a determination of whether the infraction occurred “during the normal course of the game” (e.g., was consistent with the competitive tempo, pace, and situation) or “outside the normal course of the game” (e.g., was flagrant, unnecessary, avoidable, or gratuitous).

Player fines collected by the league are used to support the NFLPA Players Assistance Trust and charitable initiatives supporting youth, education and sports-related medical research.

For the schedule of fines, click here

NFL Recognizes Veterans Day and Honors Military with a “Salute to Service”

NFL, USAA Launch Inaugural “Salute to Service Award”

2011 NFL-Tillman Military Scholar Announced

The National Football League will continue its long history of honoring veterans and active duty members of the military with its new annual “Salute to Service” campaign that will occur each November.

The “Salute to Service” campaign is designed to unify and elevate the extensive military appreciation work of the NFL and its clubs.  Throughout November, teams will designate home games as special military appreciation games.  During these games, teams will display “Salute to Service” banners on their sidelines, in addition to hosting ceremonies to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s troops.

In addition, the NFL and USAA are launching the inaugural “Salute to Service” Award which will recognize NFL team representatives who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. USAA, a leading provider of insurance and other services to members of the U.S. military and their families, is the NFL’s first Official Military Appreciation Sponsor.

The “Salute to Service” campaign aligns with the NFL’s long history of supporting America’s armed services, including a partnership of more than 45 years with the USO that includes overseas visits to troops and trips to military hospitals nationwide.

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NFL Announces 34 Play 60 Super Schools

Super Schools Selected For Showing NFL Spirit on Back To Football Friday and Dedication To Youth Health and Wellness

NFL To Give Each School a $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 Grant & Visit From an NFL Player

Thirty-four schools from across the country were chosen as NFL PLAY 60 Super Schools, it was announced today.  Winning schools entered the Back to Football Friday contest during Kickoff, and will receive a $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant for health and wellness programming or equipment and a visit from an NFL player.

To celebrate the start of the 2011 NFL season, fans were encouraged to demonstrate their passion for their favorite NFL teams and their excitement for the upcoming season by planning a unique Back to Football Friday event for their school, all to support youth health and wellness. Schools that entered the Back to Football Friday contest at www.NFLRUSH.com/BackToFootball submitted photos of their event and answered brief essay questions.  Thirty-four winning schools were selected as “NFL PLAY 60 Super Schools,” one in each of the 32 NFL markets, and two at-large winners.  The full list of winning schools is below.

The “NFL PLAY 60 Super School” program focuses on inspiring students to make healthy choices. The winning schools will have the opportunity to host a visit from their favorite NFL team and an NFL player and participate in the Ultimate NFL Physical Education Class. Players will help the students get 60 minutes of exercise, as part of the NFL PLAY 60 youth health and wellness campaign.

In addition to the $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant, the NFL will donate all fitness equipment used during the Ultimate Physical Education Class for students to use in the future.

Players making “NFL PLAY 60 Super School” visits this year include A.J. HAWK, CALVIN JOHNSON and RAY RICE.

In addition, as part of this year’s Super School visits, Procter & Gamble will honor local P&G Super Parents, a parent from each of the winning schools who has gone above and beyond in helping the children in their community get active. Parental figures and spouses of the visiting NFL player at each event will be on hand to announce the local Super Parent and present a check for $1,000 in that local Super Parent’s name to support the school’s athletic department. For more information on the P&G Super Parent initiative, visit www.facebook.com/TakeItToTheHouse.

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations like Procter & Gamble.  PLAY 60 also is implemented locally, as part of the NFL’s in-school, after-school and team-based programs.  Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $250 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements.  The NFL and its teams have built more than 100 NFL Youth Fitness Zones and organized more than 1,500 PLAY 60 youth events since the campaign launched.

Kids and parents can learn more about Back To Football and NFL PLAY 60 at www.NFLRUSH.com/play60.

For the complete release, click here

NFL Films partners with Vivendi Entertainment for U.S. and Canada home entertainment distribution

NFL Films distribution agreement features “Green Bay Packers: Road to Super Bowl XLV” as first release

NFL Films, the most honored filmmaker in sports, has selected Vivendi Entertainment (VE) as the exclusive distributor for NFL Films home entertainment programming in the US and Canada. The agreement marks a significant expansion by NFL Films as this is the first time that the company has granted both digital and physical (DVD/Blu-ray) rights for its home entertainment business.  The announcement was made today by Barry Wolper, Chief Financial Officer, NFL Films, and Tom O’Malley, President of VE.

As part of the multi-year agreement, VE will now assume the exclusive US and Canadian marketing and distribution of NFL titles, leveraging their highly-anticipated programming across multiple physical and digital platforms. The release schedule will include at least 7-10 new DVD releases each year, the first of which features last year’s Super Bowl winners in “Green Bay Packers: Road to Super Bowl XLV (4 Disc Set).”  VE will also distribute the existing NFL Films DVD catalog, which features more than 115 dynamic titles including such fan-favorite collections as the Super Bowls, team histories, the Emmy Award-winning America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions and Complete Game Sets, which show historically beloved games in their entirety.

“The NFL brand stands for innovative, high-quality entertainment production,” stated Yolanda Macias, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions & Business Development, VE. “And through our extensive distribution network, we are able to offer compelling programming choices to NFL fans – everywhere and however they want to enjoy the content.

“We are proud to begin a new partnership with Vivendi that will make more of NFL Films’ videos available to our fans in more places,” Wolper said.

As part of the exclusive distribution agreement, consumers will be able to find NFL Films DVD titles at retail outlets across the country.  Online, NFL Films product can be purchased through iTunes, Best Buy CinemaNow and Vudu.
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NFL Owners Expand Commitment to Playing Regular-Season Games in United Kingdom

NEW RESOLUTION PERMITS TEAMS TO PLAY REGULAR-SEASON GAME IN U.K. ON MULTIPLE-YEAR BASIS

NFL owners today approved a resolution to continue playing regular-season games in the United Kingdom through the 2016 season.

Today’s vote, which came at the league’s fall business meeting in Houston, authorizes the league to schedule regular-season games in the U.K. in each of the next five years (2012-2016), including to determine the number of games per season, the venues, and the competing teams.

The new resolution:

• Allows teams to volunteer to play at least one regular-season game per year as a home team in the U.K. for up to five years.

• Enables the league to determine the appropriate number of U.K. games per season, based on the popularity of the sport in the market and the number of teams that volunteer to play as a home team.

“The response to NFL games being played in the U.K. continues to be exceptional,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL.  “Because of the outstanding support of our British fans, we are confident that hosting additional games in the U.K. will be well received and support our goal of bringing football to more fans in the U.K. and beyond.”

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NFL, CDC partner to educate clinicians about concussion in sports

Each year about 170,000 young athletes go to their local emergency center for a suspected sports- or recreation-related concussion, according to a report released today by the CDC. This is an increase of over 60% during the last decade. And every day, health care professionals are challenged with identifying and appropriately managing kids and teens who may be at risk for short- or long-term problems.

To help address this important public health problem, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched “Heads Up to Clinicians: Addressing Concussion in Sports among Kids and Teens,” a new, free online course for health care professionals, made possible by a grant from the National Football League (NFL) to the CDC Foundation. The course is available at www.cdc.gov/Concussion and www.nflhealthandsafety.com.

“We are pleased to assist the CDC in ensuring that health care providers are properly trained in head injury prevention and treatment,” said NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash. “The ‘Heads Up’ course is an important step in our efforts to support the health and safety of youth athletes.”

The course includes a free continuing education opportunity. At the end of the course, participants can take a brief quiz and obtain a certificate and continuing education credits through the American College of Sports Medicine.

“We are pleased that this public-private partnership between CDC and the NFL will expand knowledge of concussion prevention and treatment for kids and teens. We are grateful to the NFL for generously supporting this initiative,” said Charles Stokes, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/Concussion and www.NFLHealthandSafety.com.

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Decision to Suspend Terrelle Pryor for Five Games for Manipulation of NFL Eligibility Rules is Affirmed

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Terrelle Pryor today that the decision to suspend the Oakland Raiders’ quarterback for the first five games of the regular season for improperly manipulating the NFL’s eligibility rules has been affirmed. Pryor may be activated by the Raiders following their game at Houston on October 9.

Commissioner Goodell approved Pryor’s application for entry into this year’s NFL Supplemental Draft, which took place on August 22.  He was selected in the third round of the supplemental draft by the Raiders, who forfeited their third-round selection in the 2012 Draft as a result. Pryor participated in the remainder of the Raiders’ training camp after his selection.

Following are excerpts from Commissioner Goodell’s decision on Pryor’s appeal:

• “Based on Mr. Pryor’s actions, I believe it is a fair conclusion that he intentionally took steps to ensure that he would be declared ineligible for further college play and would be able to enter the NFL via the Supplemental Draft. Taken as a whole, I found that this conduct was tantamount to a deliberate manipulation of our eligibility rules in a way that distorts the underlying principles and calls into question the integrity of those rules.”

• “Mr. Pryor – not Ohio State or the NCAA – made the judgment that he was ineligible for college play, and then took a series of affirmative steps that were intended to, and had the effect of, accomplishing that result. Moreover, Mr. Pryor did so in order to avoid the consequences of his conduct while in college – conduct to which he had admitted and for which he had accepted a suspension – and to hasten the day when he could pursue a potentially lucrative professional career in the NFL.”

• “This smacks of a calculated effort to manipulate our eligibility rules in a way that undermines the integrity of, and public confidence in, those rules.  Mr. Pryor made an affirmative decision to remain in college and play for Ohio State in 2011.  He later reconsidered and decided that he wanted to enter the NFL.  In order to do so, he needed to forfeit his remaining college eligibility and took steps to ensure that would happen.  Based on the specific facts presented here, I conclude that Mr. Pryor’s actions warranted imposition of conditions on his entry into the NFL, namely, that he serve the same five-game suspension that he had previously agreed to while at Ohio State.”

• “In my judgment, allowing players to secure their own ineligibility for college play in order to avoid previously determined disciplinary consequences for admitted conduct reflects poorly not on college football – which acted to discipline the transgressor – but on the NFL, by making it into a sanctuary where a player cannot only avoid the consequences of his conduct, but be paid for doing so.”

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