FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                     
NFL-164                  12/9/03

Contact:                                                                                                                        Contact:

Charles Leone                                                                                                               Brendan Moynihan

Alan Taylor Communications                                                                                           National Football League

212-714-1280 x233                                                                                                         212-450-2246

charles@alantaylor.com                                                                                                 moynihanb@nfl.com
 

WEEK FOURTEEN NOMINEES NAMED FOR

“NFL PLAY OF THE WEEK” -  PRESENTED BY LEVITRAâ

(vardenafil HCI)

Fan Voting Continues Through Noon ET Thursday at NFL.com

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 9, 2003 – New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi’s five-yard interception-return touchdown against the Miami Dolphins is among the five week fourteen nominees for the NFL PLAY OF THE WEEK - PRESENTED BY LEVITRAâ (vardenafil HCI) - introduced by the NFL this season. 

The award is presented each Thursday during the NFL regular season to recognize the single most exciting play that week as determined by the fans.  Voting is open to the fans each week from Tuesday at Noon ET until Thursday at Noon ET, exclusively on NFL.com. 

Each weekly winner will be a finalist for the NFL PLAY OF THE YEAR - PRESENTED BY LEVITRA - to be awarded at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. Fans who vote at NFL.com each week can also be entered into a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Super Bowl XXXVIII in February.

New England Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest’s game-winning tackle of Edgerrin James on fourth and goal from the New England one-yard line against the Indianapolis Colts was last week’s winner as voted by the fans at NFL.com.

For details and video of this week’s nominees, past winners and the results of fan voting, log onto NFL.com.
 

Week #14 Nominees

Marvin Harrison - WR - Indianapolis Colts – Diving catch from Peyton Manning
The Colts star wide receiver makes a 42-yard diving one-handed catch with a full-body roll before landing at the 10-yard line.  The play kept the Colts drive alive, which produced the game-winning points as it set up an Indianapolis touchdown that gave the Colts a 29-13 lead late in the third quarter.  The catch also pushed Harrison past 10,000 yards for his career and gave him his 42nd 100-yard game.  With the 29-27 win, Indianapolis improved to 10-3 and moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC South.   

Tedy Bruschi, LB - New England Patriots - Five-yard interception-return touchdown
Patriots veteran linebacker intercepts a Jay Fiedler pass and returns it five yards for the games only touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. With their 12-0 win over the rival Miami Dolphins, the Patriots clinched their second AFC East title in three years, moving them into a tie with the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL’s best record at 11-2.  Bruschi’s interception return was the fourth score of his career.

Mike McKenzie, CB - Green Bay Packers - 90-yard interception-return touchdown
With the Packers leading 19-14, the Green Bay cornerback intercepts his second Kordell Stewart pass of the afternoon and returns it 90 yards for a touchdown to give the Packers a 27-14 lead.  McKenzie’s defensive efforts helped the Packers defeat the surging Bears 34-21 and stay within a game of the NFC North-leading Vikings.  McKenzie is the first Packer to be nominated for the - NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA.

Kevin Mathis, CB - Atlanta Falcons - Game-winning 32-yard interception-return touchdown 
On the third play of overtime, the Atlanta cornerback steps in front of a Jake Delhomme pass and returns it 32-yards for the game-winning score.  The Falcons enjoyed the return of their quarterback Mike Vick as well as the team’s first home victory of the season 20-14.  Mathis is the first Falcon to be nominated for the - NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA.

Randy Moss, WR - Minnesota Vikings - 47-yard touchdown reception from Dante Culpepper
On their first possession of the second quarter, the Vikings big-play wide receiver makes a football basket touchdown catch between two Seahawks defenders in the back of the end zone. Moss finished the game with eight catches for 133 yards and two scores.  This play marks the third time this season (week 5 and 7) Moss has been nominated for the NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA.  Moss won the award in week 7 for his “Hail Mary” catch and lateral to Moe Williams for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos.  

LEVITRA, a new prescription medication recently approved by the FDA, is a Proud Sponsor of the NFL. LEVITRA is co-marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Bayer) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Earlier this year, Bayer and GSK entered into a multi-year partnership with the NFL.

#  #  #