FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT:
NFL-166                 12/11/03                                                      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 LB LANCE BRIGGS

AS PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice.  Linebacker LANCE BRIGGS of the Chicago Bears is the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played on December 7-8, the NFL announced today.

Briggs recorded nine tackles, defensed two passes and returned his first career interception 45 yards for his first career touchdown in the Bears’ 34-21 loss to Green Bay.  

More than 31,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com.  Briggs was selected from among five finalists.  The other finalists were Arizona Cardinals wide receiver ANQUAN BOLDIN, Indianapolis Colts safety MICHAEL DOSS, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback BYRON LEFTWICH, and Baltimore Ravens linebacker TERRELL SUGGS.

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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