FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
NFL-132 12/2/04

Matt Hill, NFL, 212-450-2080
Hillm@NFL.com

Howard Clabo, FedEx, 901-434-7786
Howard.Clabo@fedex.com

NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT
COLTS QB PEYTON MANNING & BENGALS RB RUDI JOHNSON
AS WEEK 12 FEDEX AIR & GROUND NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Quarterback PEYTON MANNING of the Indianapolis Colts and running back RUDI JOHNSON of the Cincinnati Bengals are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on November 25, 28-29, the NFL announced today.

Manning threw for 236 yards and six touchdowns, completing 23 of 28 passes for a 141.4 passer rating in the Colts’ 41-9 victory over the Detroit Lions. He set an NFL record, throwing for at least four touchdowns in his fifth consecutive game. Manning has a league-high 41 touchdown passes this season.

Johnson ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the Bengals’ 58-48 victory over the AFC North-rival Cleveland Browns. He scored on two seven-yard touchdown runs in what was the second-highest scoring game in NFL history.

Manning and Johnson were selected from among finalists in the air and ground categories through 51,852 fan votes. The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were quarterbacks KERRY COLLINS of the Oakland Raiders and CARSON PALMER of the Cincinnati Bengals, while running backs WILLIS MC GAHEE of the Buffalo Bills and JULIUS JONES of the Dallas Cowboys were the other finalists for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week.

Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are also a win for the local community. Along with the player awards, FedEx is awarding St. Vincent Children's Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the Children’s Hospital in each winning market, a check for $5,000.

The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at this year’s Super Bowl, will be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.

FedEx, the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain management services, is the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Through the weekly FedEx Air and Ground awards, FedEx recognizes those NFL players who represent the same speed, precision and teamwork that their customers have come to expect from the full range of FedEx air, ground, freight and international shipping services.

2004 FEDEX AIR & GROUND NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

  EXPRESS (AIR) Charity GROUND Charity
Wk 1 Donovan McNabb, Phi. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Curtis Martin, NYJ Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital
Wk 2 Aaron Brooks, NO Children's Hospital of New Orleans DeShaun Foster, Car. Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center
Wk 3 Peyton Manning, Ind. St. Vincent Children's Hospital Jamal Lewis, Bal. Union Memorial Hospital
Wk 4 Byron Leftwich, Jac. Wolfson Children's Hospital Tiki Barber, NYG Tomorrows Children’s Fund
Wk 5 Daunte Culpepper, Min. Fairview University Children's Hospital Chris Brown, Ten. Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at Baptist Hospital
Wk 6 Daunte Culpepper, Min. Fairview University Children's Hospital Reuben Droughns, Den. Children's Hospital Foundation
Wk 7 Donovan McNabb, Phi. Children's Crisis Treatment Center Rudi Johnson, Cin. Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Wk 8 Drew Brees, SD Children's Hospital Foundation Priest Holmes, KC Children's Mercy Hospital
Wk 9 Drew Brees, SD Children's Hospital Foundation Jerome Bettis, Pit. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Wk 10 Brett Favre, GB Children's Hospital of Wisconsin-Fox Valley Derrick Blaylock, KC Children's Mercy Hospital
Wk 11 Donovan McNabb, Phi. Children's Crisis Treatment Center Edgerrin James, Ind. St. Vincent Children's Hospital
Wk 12 Peyton Manning, Ind. St. Vincent Children's Hospital Rudi Johnson, Cin. Cincinnati Children's Hospital

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
NFL-133 12/2/04

MATT HILL, NFL, 212-450-2080
Hillm@NFL.com

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

NFL.COM VOTERS SELECT PACKERS CB AHMAD CARROLL
AS WEEK 12 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Cornerback AHMAD CARROLL of the Green Bay Packers is the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played on November 25, 28-29, the NFL announced today.

Carroll recorded two tackles, one interception and returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown in the Packers’ 45-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams. He scored the first points of the game and the first touchdown of his career in the opening quarter. Carroll’s interception, also his first, came in the third quarter.

More than 79,019 fans voted this week on NFL.com. Carroll was selected from among six finalists. The other finalists were wide receiver KEARY COLBERT of the Carolina Panthers, wide receiver LEE EVANS of Buffalo Bills, running back JULIUS JONES of the Dallas Cowboys, linebacker DERRICK POPE of the Miami Dolphins and defensive end KENECHI UDEZE of the Minnesota Vikings.

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 XXXIX in Jacksonville.

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

2004 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

   
Wk 1 S Erik Coleman, NY Jets (Washington State)
Wk 2 WR Roy Williams, Detroit Lions (Texas)
Wk 3 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 4 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 5 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 6 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 7 RB Mewelde Moore, Minnesota Vikings (Tulane)
Wk 8 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 9 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 10 S Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts (Iowa)
Wk 11 QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Miami, OH)
Wk 12 CB Ahmad Carroll, Green Bay Packers (Arkansas)

 

 

Contact:

Seth Rubin                                                                   Matt Hill
Alan Taylor Communications                                         National Football League
212-714-1280 ext. 353                                                  212-450-2080
seth@alantaylor.com                                                    hillm@nfl.com

RONALD CURRY’S ONE-HANDED TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION NAMED
WEEK TWELVE "LEVITRAâ (vardenafil HCI) PLAY OF THE WEEK"

NEW YORK—DECEMBER 2, 2004 – Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry’s one-handed, six-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Kerry Collins against the Denver Broncos has been voted "LEVITRAâ (vardenafil HCI) PLAY OF THE WEEK" for NFL games played November 25, 28-29.

Curry’s remarkable one-handed grab is now eligible to be selected as the "LEVITRAâ PLAY OF THE YEAR," awarded this February at Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida. "LEVITRAâ PLAY OF THE WEEK," which is voted on by fans each week throughout the NFL season from Tuesday at noon ET to Thursday at noon ET on NFL.com, is presented each Thursday and recognizes the single most exciting play that week.

Fans who vote at NFL.com each week can also enter for their chance to win a three-day/two-night trip for two to Jacksonville, Florida to attend Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005, including round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations.

Midway through the fourth quarter of their AFC West Divisional match-up with the Broncos, Curry made his spectacular catch in the back of the end zone to cut Oakland's deficit to five points. The Raiders went on to defeat the rival Broncos 25-24 as Curry finished with 110 yards and one touchdown on six receptions.

Curry beat out Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Deltha O’Neal’s 31-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in fan voting on NFL.com. For details and video of this week’s nominees and the results of fan voting, please visit www.NFL.com/playoftheweek

In July 2003, Bayer Pharmaceutical Corporation (Bayer) & GlaxoSmithKline(GSK), co-marketers of LEVITRA (vardenafil HCI), a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), announced their groundbreaking sponsorship of the NFL.

2004 LEVITRAâ PLAY OF THE WEEK Winners

Week Player Play Description
1 Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Three-yard TD pass to Terrell Owens against the Giants
2 Roy Williams, Detroit 14-yard TD reception from Joey Harrington against the Texans
3 Joe Horn, New Orleans Nine-yard TD reception from Aaron Brooks against the Rams
4 Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh 26-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Bengals
5 Brandon Lloyd, San Francisco 23-yard TD reception from Tim Rattay against the Cardinals
6 Kimo von Oelhoffen, Pittsburgh 21-yard fumble recovery against the Cowboys
7 Ahman Green, Green Bay 90-yard touchdown run against the Cowboys
8 Plaxico Burress, Pittsburgh Four-yard touchdown reception against the Patriots
9 Ed Reed, Baltimore 106-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Browns
10 Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia 60-yard scrambling pass against the Cowboys
11 Chad Johnson, Cincinnati 36-yard touchdown reception against the Steelers
12 Ronald Curry, Oakland One-handed six-yard touchdown reception against the Broncos

About LEVITRA

LEVITRA is a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Men taking nitrate drugs, often used to control chest pain (also known as angina), should not take LEVITRA. Men who use alpha blockers, sometimes prescribed for high blood pressure or prostate problems, also should not take LEVITRA. Such combinations could cause blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.

You should not take LEVITRA if your doctor determines that sexual activity poses a health risk for you. Men who experience an erection for more than four hours should seek immediate medical attention. LEVITRA does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

The starting dose of LEVITRA is 10 mg taken no more than once per day. Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you. In patients taking certain medications such as ritonavir, indinavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and erythromycin, lower doses of LEVITRA are recommended, and time between doses of LEVITRA may need to be extended.

In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects were headache, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. LEVITRA is available in 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets.

About Erectile Dysfunction

The consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual performance1 – is a common health condition among men that is largely untreated. It is estimated that some degree of ED affects more than one half of all men over the age of 402– 152 million men worldwide3 and 30 million men in the United States alone.4

Despite the high prevalence of sexual problems, nine out of 10 men in the U.S. have not yet sought treatment from a physician.5

1. Jardin A, Wagner G, Khoury S, et al. Recommendations of the 1st International Consultation on Erectile Dysfunction. Co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Consultation on Urological Diseases (ICUD) and Societe Internationale d’Urologie (SIU) and held July 1-3, 1999, Paris. 2000, p. 713.

2. Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol 1994;151:54-61.

3. Aytac IA, McKinlay JB, Krane RI. The likely worldwide increase of erectile dysfunction between 1995 and 2025 and some possible policy consequences. BJU Int 1999;84:50-56

4. National Institutes of Health, Consensus Development Conference Statement, December 7-9, 1992. Online data: http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/091/091_statement.htm. (accessed 8/26/02).

5. Laumann EO, Paik A, Rosen RC. Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors. JAMA 1999;281:537-544.

About Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation (www.bayerpharma.com) is part of the worldwide operations of Bayer HealthCare AG, a subgroup of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare, with sales of approximately 8.9 billion Euro in 2003, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics Professional Testing Systems and Diagnostics Self Testing Systems and Pharmaceuticals. 34,600 people are employed by Bayer HealthCare worldwide.

Our aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including its Form 20-F). Bayer assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

About GSK

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

For more information about LEVITRA, please visit www.LEVITRA.com.