FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT:
NFL-189                 12/24/03                                                      BRENDAN MOYNIHAN, NFL, 212-450-2246
                                                                                                Moynihanb@nfl.com

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

NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT LIONS LB BOSS BAILEY

AS PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice.  Linebacker BOSS BAILEY of the Detroit Lions is the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played on December 20-22, the NFL announced today.

Bailey recorded a team-high 12 tackles and returned a fumble 62 yards for his first career touchdown in the Lions’ 20-14 loss to Carolina.

More than 37,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com.  Bailey was selected from among five finalists.  The other finalists were Arizona Cardinals wide receiver ANQUAN BOLDIN, Denver Broncos running back QUENTIN GRIFFIN, Minnesota Vikings running back ONTERRIO SMITH, 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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