The NFL on Fox is back with a Week 1 doubleheader. This week as the opening of the regular season falls on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, the NFL will hold special ceremonies before all of the games on Sunday.
Fox NFL Sunday will begin with a special two minute introduction narrated by the 41st 43rd President of the United States.
FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH OPENS FOX NFL SUNDAY WITH SPECIAL PREGAME INTRO COMMEMORATING 9/11
As the NFL ON FOX begins coverage of its 18th season this weekend, the network commemorates the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with special stories and remembrances throughout the broadcast day.
FOX NFL SUNDAY begins its pregame coverage at 12:00 PM ET with a special open narrated by former president George W. Bush. Bush filmed the two-minute piece this week in Texas that also features members of the FDNY, NYPD and NY/NJ Port Authority Police Department. In the intro, he talks about heroism, perseverance and recovery.
Also featured during pregame coverage is the story of four families personally affected by the attacks at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. They recall their personal relationships with the loved ones they lost as well as that person’s passion for the NFL and how watching and getting behind their team helped them in their grieving.
This Sunday at 12:57 PM ET, the NFL has coordinated pregame ceremonies from Shanksville, PA to be simulcast live to all early games. The tribute includes a special video introduction narrated by Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro, followed by a performance of Taps from Shanksville, a moment of silence and the National Anthem from each game site. Coaches, players and local first responders hold field-length American flags during these performances.
In addition to the FOX broadcast, the following News Corp networks interrupt scheduled programming to also provide coverage of the pregame ceremonies from Shanksville: Fox News, FX, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, SPEED, FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network, FUEL TV, FS Arizona, FS Detroit, FS Florida, Sun Sports, FS Houston, FS Midwest, FS North, FS Wisconsin, FS Ohio, FS South, Sports South, FS Southwest, FS West, Prime Ticket, FOXSports.com and FOXSports.com regional websites.
Coverage runs from approximately 12:57 PM ET – 1:03 PM ET.
Prior to the broadcast of FOX Sports’ 4:15 PM ET games, where most of the country will see the Giants/Redskins game from FedEx Field, a similar ceremony takes place from Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
And we have some notes and quotes from the NFL on Fox crew plus the regional splits for the games this week.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
FOX Sports Fires Up Its 18th NFL Season at 12:00 PM ET with FOX NFL SUNDAY
Strahan: I’m Surprised Tiki Wasn’t Picked Up
Pennington: Panthers’ Success Not Completely on Cam Newton’s ShouldersNFL ON FOX KICKS OFF 18th SEASON WITH WEEK 1 DOUBLEHEADER ACTION – The NFL on FOX’s journey to the NFC Championship game begins Sunday, Sept. 11 with doubleheader coverage of seven games. The action starts at 1:00 PM ET at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis as Michael Vick and the highly-touted Eagles take on Sam Bradford and the Rams. Following the infamous playoff exit, the spotlight will be on Jay Cutler as his Bears host Matt Ryan and the Falcons. A pair of up-and-coming teams meet as the Bucs welcome the Lions to Tampa. The second half of FOX Sports’ doubleheader takes us to New York, as Eli Manning and the Giants host the Redskins. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action between the NFC East rivals from MetLife Stadium. Out west, the Chargers host Donovan McNabb and the new-look Vikings. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers invite the Seahawks to battle and Cam Newton makes his highly anticipated NFL debut against Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals.
Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with the 2011 premiere of America’s No. 1 pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. NFL Insider Jay Glazer is back for another season to break the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment. NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira returns to discuss the rule changes for the 2011 season.
For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
STRAHAN SURPRISED NO ONE PICKED UP TIKI – Earlier today, FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Michael Strahan reacted to former teammate Tiki Barber’s unsuccessful attempt at a comeback in the NFL. “I was surprised by it. I really was because I feel like Tiki has a few more years in him. Even when he retired, he could still play. He always took care of himself. I felt like somebody would give him a plane ticket and say ‘come in’ and give him a shot. I don’t feel like football was the reason that no one brought him in because that’s the easy part for him. I think it was the reputation thing that scared some teams away,” said Strahan who appeared on ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike” morning show.
CHAD PENNINGTON: CAM NEWTON NEEDS TO ALLOW PLAYMAKERS TO MAKE PLAYS –Analyst Chad Pennington makes his NFL on FOX debut Sunday for the Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals game at 4:15 PM ET on FOX. He says the Carolina Panthers need to take advantage of all of their playmakers to be successful. “Cam Newton needs to rely on his talent and his coaches and enjoy the moment of being a starting rookie quarterback,” said Pennington. “When I watch Cam play, he’s pretty sound fundamentally. It’s just a matter of getting comfortable and making sure he allows his playmakers around him to make plays. He’s got some offensive weapons there with both of his tight ends and wide receiver Steve Smith and running back DeAngelo Williams, so it’s not all on his shoulders.”
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Philadelphia Eagles at St. Louis Rams, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin, going to 46% of USA, 1:00PM
Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Austin, Buffalo, Dallas, Hartford, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & Tony Siragusa, going to 40% of USA, 1:00PM
Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Greensboro, Greenville, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Providence, Raleigh, Salt Lake CityDetroit Lions at Tampa Bay Bucs, Chris Myers & Tim Ryan, going to 5% of USA, 1:00PM
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Detroit, Fort Myers
New York Giants at Washington Redskins, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver, going to 63% of USA, 4:15PM
FedEx Field – Landover, MD
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers, Ron Pitts & Jim Mora, going to 19% of USA, 4:15PM
QUALCOMM Stadium – San Diego, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, TulsaSeattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, Dick Stockton & John Lynch, going to 9% of USA, 4:15PM
Candlestick Park – San Francisco, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, SeattleCarolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals, Sam Rosen & Chad Pennington, going to 8% of USA, 4:15PM
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Phoenix, Raleigh
That’s going to do it. CBS’ preview is next.
