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MATT MILLEN: LINEBACKER; BROADCASTER; NFL OFFICIAL?

NFL on FOX Analyst To Serve As An Umpire During Third Quarter Of Tampa Bay vs. New England Preseason Game on Sunday, Aug. 20

Former All-Pro Will Also Wear "Umpire-Cam" During Coverage

When it comes to the great game of NFL football, Matt Millen has seemingly done it all. From winning three Super Bowl rings as a ferocious linebacker with the Raiders, 49ers and Redskins, to becoming one of the most respected NFL analysts on television today, there would appear to be nothing else in the NFL for Millen to accomplish. Or is there?

On Sunday, August 20 (4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT), while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots tune-up for the approaching NFL season, Millen gets a chance to experience NFL life from one more angle * that of an NFL official. Millen will serve as the game's umpire for the entire third quarter, and at the same time he'll wear "Umpire-Cam" which made its critically-acclaimed network television debut during FOX Sports' coverage of World Bowl 2000 in June.

"When we first discussed this idea with the NFL, we knew that no one was more perfect for this role than Matt Millen," said FOX Sports President Ed Goren. "His knowledge of the game and its rules is unparalleled and his enthusiasm and preparation for his day in stripes has been amazing."

Millen has spent the past two months preparing for his unique assignment. That preparation included attending the NFL's annual Officials' Clinic in Dallas under the watchful supervision of the NFL's Senior Director of Officiating, Jerry Seeman, the "official's official," as well as several days at Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins training camps.

"Officiating school and the preparation process has been an amazing experience," said Millen. "The hand signals, convening with the other officials...it's an aspect of the game I thought I fully understood. Nope. I now have a completely different

perspective on football. I wish I knew what I know now when I was a young player because I would have been able to get away with a lot more!"

"I didn't know what to expect from Matt when he first arrived," said Seeman. "But he really worked hard and may have developed another career for himself if he ever decides to leave the booth."

Highlights of Millen's preparation will be shown throughout the contest while GOIN' DEEP, FOX Sports Net's weekly magazine show, airs Millen's total experience on Sunday, Sept. 3 (8:00 PM ET).

"Matt was such a competitive player," said John Madden, who calls the Aug. 20 game with Pat Summerall. "I hope he remembers that he's not allowed to tackle anyone out there."