ITEM ONE:

THE TVs WERE TURNED ON...

It didn’t matter what day…time of day…nationally or locally – America was more than ready for NFL Kickoff 2003.  The TV numbers prove it.  On Thursday night – at “NFL Kickoff Live” in Washington, DC – AEROSMITH and BRITNEY did their thing, then the Jets and Redskins did theirs on ABC.  That game, and FOX’ national game of BILL PARCELLS’ debut as the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach on Sunday, were the top two shows in all of television for the week (9/1-7) with more than 19 million viewers each.  The close Sunday night game on ESPN, won by the Titans over the Raiders 25-20, was the most-watched show on cable TV for the week (10.8 million viewers), and the highest-rated (8.9) show on cable this year.  The Monday Night Football kickoff on ABC between the Super Bowl-champion Buccaneers and Eagles produced the highest Monday night overnight rating (15.1) since a December 18, 2000 Bucs-Rams game.  Locally, NFL games topped the ratings in a record 28 (of 30) NFL markets.  “The NFL ruled the air,” said USA Today.  “It dominated events on the first weekend of the season.”            

ITEM TWO:

SO WERE THE MEDIA

Around the country, the media saluted the return of America’s No. 1 sport:  “Week 1 yields twists galore” USA Today……“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the 2003 NFL season.  Settle in.  Kick back.  Enjoy.  But keep antacids by your easy chair” Sports Illustrated……“The NFL sure knows how to make a grand entrance” Orlando Sentinel……“After one week of its 2003 season, we are reminded why the NFL is the best of the major professional sports leagues” New York Post……“The NFL is king from coast to coast” Miami Herald……“The NFL is a prime example of American business acumen that has left the other major sports in a corporate cloud of dust” Washington Post……“The NFL racks up points.  Opening week scores big” Variety……“Among American sports, the NFL is king” Palm Beach Post.

ITEM THREE:

EXCITING & UNPREDICTABLE

On the field, the NFL began in typical fashion, with players and teams promising a whole season of excitement and unpredictability: The Carolina Panthers, behind unheralded quarterback JAKE DELHOMME, engineered a 17-point second-half comeback victory over Jacksonville……four games were decided in the last 30 seconds……a punter, Tennessee’s CRAIG HENTRICH, kicked three plus-30-yard field goals……games averaged 40.3 points……an NFL rookie receiving record (217 yards) was set by Arizona’s ANQUAN BOLDIN……Buccaneers defensive tackle WARREN SAPP caught a 14-yard pass, and teammate JOE JUREVICIUS had two of the most acrobatic TD catches seen in a long time.  “The NFL is off and running,” says Sports Illustrated.