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Chris Widmaier
National Football League
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRETT FAVRE AND DREW BLEDSOE CONTINUE THEIR RIVALRY DURING THE EIGHTH ANNUAL FOOTACTION NFL QUARTERBACK CHALLENGE

Show Airs July 26-27 on NBC Sports

NEW YORK, July 1 - - Brett Favre and Drew Bledsoe rekindled their Super Bowl rivalry during the eighth annual FootAction NFL Quarterback Challenge. The popular show will be air as an NBC SportsWorld special on Saturday, July 26 from 2-3 pm ET and conclude the next day, Sunday, July 27 from 4-5 pm ET.

Following their riveting battle in Super Bowl XXXI, Favre and Bledsoe continued their pyrotechnic quarterbacking displays during this year’s challenge. Favre and Bledsoe went head-to-head in the long distance portion of the competition when their 70-plus-yard passes forced a "throw-off." These monumental heaves moved both quarterbacks into the hunt for first entering the final event of the challenge.

The competition was spirited throughout with no quarterback dominating. Quarterback Challenge rookie Vinny Testaverde of the Baltimore Ravens set a blistering pace with his opening performance on the speed and mobility portion of the Challenge. He was displaced for the lead by the pinpoint passing of defending Challenge champ Neil O’Donnell of the New York Jets and Jim Harbaugh of the Indianapolis Colts. This event was followed by the long distance competition, which saw Jeff Blake of the Cincinnati Bengals join Favre and Bledsoe in throws of more than 70 yards.

The Challenge was up for grabs in the last event, the read and recognition portion. After Kerry Collins of the Carolina Panthers threw, first-time competitor Gus Frerotte of the Washington Redskins set the pace for the rest of the field. Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys, making his fifth Challenge appearance and Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers, competing in his record-tying sixth Challenge, then defended the old guard. Two other first time competitors, Jeff George of the Oakland Raiders and Mark Brunell of the Jacksonville Jaguars, kept pace with strong throws.

Viewers who tune into the event will see the overall winner was crowned on the final throw of the event. It marked the second time in three years the FootAction Quarterback Challenge came down to the final throw.

Recently retired Bills QB Jim Kelly, who participated in two previous QB Challenges, switched roles and served as the event’s color analyst. This was Kelly’s first stint in his new role as a football commentator for NBC Sports. He joined Phil Simms and Paul Maguire in calling the event.