‘NFL PLAYERS Helmets Off’ TV Series Kicks Off Season Five With ‘NFL PLAYERS Helmets Off: Fantasy Football Draft’ to Air Throughout October on FSN

Five-show series goes behind the scenes with the stars of the NFL

NFL PLAYERS, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association is proud to announce the return of “NFL PLAYERS Helmets Off,” a series of reality television shows featuring some of the most talented stars in the National Football League. Back for a fifth spectacular season, the series kicks off with “NFL PLAYERS Helmets Off: Fantasy Football ‘08,” the first of five monthly television specials created and produced by NFL PLAYERS.

“NFL PLAYERS Helmets Off: Fantasy Football ‘08″ makes its national debut Oct. 4 and will be shown on FSN throughout the month. Viewers should check local listings for the broadcast schedule in their area. Sponsored by Electronic Arts and Reebok, the series of half-hour programs gives fans an inside look at the daily lives of NFL players and air on FSN from October through February.

About NFL PLAYERS Fantasy ‘08:

For the second year, “NFL PLAYERS Helmets Off” will give fans the chance to watch as eight NFL players pick and trade their way through the most exciting fantasy draft in the nation. NFL stars BRIAN BROHM/Green Bay Packers, STEVEN JACKSON/St. Louis Rams, MAURICE JONES-DREW/Jacksonville Jaguars, CATO JUNE/Tampa Bay Buccaneers, JAY FEELY/New York Jets, LARRY FITZGERALD/Arizona Cardinals, WILL WITHERSPOON/St. Louis Rams and TATUM BELL will compete against each other as the eight owners in NFL PLAYERS Fantasy ‘08. The elite squad navigated through friends and foes in an effort to pull together the best fantasy squad in order to bring home the trophy and the league’s top bragging rights.

The live draft was held in June on the roof deck of the Ivy Hotel in San Diego, Calif. Sports commentator and Olympian Summer Sanders kept energy high as commissioner and host, and the 12-round draft included good-natured trash talk, strategic moves and shocking insider selections.

“I was excited,” said Maurice Jones-Drew. “There were so many emotions running through my body after the draft. We just can’t wait to get out there and start knocking teams off.”

The fantasy doesn’t end when the credits roll. Throughout the 2008 NFL season, fans can log on to NFLPLAYERS.COM for exclusive player video blogs, message boards and interviews. FOXSports.com will provide real-time roster updates and transactions, league standings and weekly matchups.

NFL PLAYERS Fantasy ‘08 Preview:

Be an insider as players reveal strategies and experience the dynamics of the draft room as rounds go by and the competition heats up.

In a bold pre-draft declaration, Maurice Jones-Drew promised if he drew the first pick, he would select himself. Did he draw the coveted slip, and if so, did he stay true to his word? Can returning champ Tatum Bell defend his throne? Not if Jay Feely, the other fantasy veteran, has anything to do with it. Feely comes back as the winner of 2007’s regular season, and this time he has his eyes on the grand prize.

Last season, in a battle of close friends and former teammates, Bell triumphed, barely holding off Champ Bailey to win the inaugural NFL PLAYERS Fantasy Football League. Despite finishing the regular season below .500 at 6-7, and beginning the season with four straight losses, Bell persevered to prove his football knowledge was a step above his fellow NFL contemporaries.

Source: PLAYERS INC

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND will perform in the BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIII HALFTIME SHOW on NBC at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, February 1, the NFL and NBC announced tonight.

The Super Bowl halftime show is annually the most-watched musical performance. More than 148 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s show. The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide in more than 230 countries and territories.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band join an esteemed list of recent halftime acts that includes the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The BRIDGESTONE SUPER BOWL XLIII HALFTIME SHOW is an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of WHITE CHERRY ENTERTAINMENT and by DON MISCHER PRODUCTIONS. Don Mischer also will serve as director.

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/

Source: NFL

Former NFL star and avid outdoorsman Steve Bartkowski is taking his passion for sports into the wilds of Montana this fall and inviting sports enthusiasts to join him.

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and longtime ESPN outdoor TV host will lead a Sportsman’s Getaway October 21-26 that will include two days of premier fly fishing on Paradise Valley’s Yellowstone River; two mornings or afternoons of wing shooting; and daily horseback riding, hiking and yoga. The excursion is being hosted by Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Montana’s top-rated guest ranch and resort well-known for its natural surroundings, hospitality, accommodations and cuisine.

“For people who love the outdoors - but don’t mind being a little pampered, too - it really doesn’t get any better than this,” Bartkowski said. “This is the perfect blend of outdoor sports coupled with great amenities like authentic Western lodging, excellent dining and spectacular natural surroundings. We’ll shoot, fish, ride, share stories, hang out - and we’ll get to do it all in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth.”

The Sportsman’s Getaway package includes:

• Two days of fly fishing on the Yellowstone River - some of the nation’s most sought-after waters, and an easy drive from the ranch

• Two mornings or afternoons of wing shooting, including a warm-up round of shooting clays

• Daily horseback riding, enjoying scenic rides through some of the most beautiful terrain in the U.S.

• Daily hiking to explore the beauty of majestic rock overlooks, historical sites, and Montana’s natural splendor

• Lodging in the rustic elegance of private cabins that feature fireplaces, large picture windows and porches to fully capture breathtaking mountain views

• Five-star cuisine from Mountain Sky’s renowned culinary staff - all meals included

The five-night Sportsman’s Getaway is priced at $2,700 per person. For a full itinerary and more details, or to make a reservation call Mountain Sky Guest Ranch (1-800-548-3392) or log on to www.mtnsky.com.

About Mountain Sky: Located in Emigrant, Montana, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is nestled within 9,000 acres of beautiful, rugged countryside alongside Big Creek in Paradise Valley. Known for its rustic elegance, majestic scenery, peaceful atmosphere and outdoor adventure activities, the ranch has served as a working and guest ranch since 1929. It offers authentic Montana adventure and superb guest services to families, couples, singles, groups and corporate teams seeking to reconnect with the land … and each other.

Source: Mountain Sky Guest Ranch