FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT:
NFL-146                 11/26/03                                                      BRENDAN MOYNIHAN, NFL, 212-450-2246
                                                                                                Moynihanb@nfl.com

DAVE DECECCO, PEPSI-COLA, 914-253-2655
            David.DeCecco@Pepsi.com

NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT BEARS CB CHARLES TILLMAN

AS PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice.  Cornerback CHARLES TILLMAN of the Chicago Bears is the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played on November 23-24, the NFL announced today.

Tillman recorded six tackles and a sack in the Bears’ 19-10 win over Denver.  Tillman has three interceptions and a sack in the last five games.   

More than 28,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com.  Tillman was selected from among five finalists.  The other finalists were Arizona Cardinals wide receiver ANQUAN BOLDIN, New England Patriots wide receiver BETHEL JOHNSON, Baltimore Ravens linebacker TERRELL SUGGS and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver KELLEY WASHINGTON.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors.  Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January.  The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston.

This is Pepsi’s second year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL.

2003 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

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