“NFL KICKOFF 2011 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS” - Ingles

TO CELEBRATE START OF THE NFL SEASON AND GREEN BAY PACKERS SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

SHOW TO FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY KID ROCK, LADY ANTEBELLUM & MAROON 5

NBC/NFL Network Special On Sept. 8, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Precedes NFL Kickoff Game:
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS

It’s time to get Back To Football as the NFL begins its 92nd season with an unprecedented celebration in its special pregame show, "NFL KICKOFF 2011 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS” – 7:30 PM ET Thursday, September 8. KID ROCK, LADY ANTEBELLUM and MAROON 5 are scheduled to perform.

There will be simulcast coverage of the 60-minute pregame show from Lambeau Field which will air from 7:30 – 8:30 PM ET on NBC and NFL Network. The live pregame broadcast also will be available via NFL Mobile only from Verizon.

The musical performances are part of the celebration to kick off the 2011 season and to honor the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. This is the 10th consecutive Kickoff celebration to start the season and the eighth consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.

The show leads into the season opener between the Packers and the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field (NBC, Westwood One Radio Sports, 8:30 PM ET).

As part of the pregame celebration, 32 legendary NFL alumni, one representing each team, will be on the field holding their team’s flag. More details about the pregame celebration, including the National Anthem, will be announced shortly.

The NBC show will feature performances by award-winning artists Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum and Maroon 5 from a stage adjacent to Lambeau Field. More information on how fans can watch the free concert can be found here.

In addition to the concert and game, the festivities to kick off Week One of the NFL season include youth clinics and a Gameday Village in Green Bay that week.

NFL KICKOFF 2011 will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSHNER, the Executive Producer of the Super Bowl pregame and halftime shows and directed by GREGG GELFAND.

In addition to presenting sponsor EA SPORTS, top tier sponsors for the NFL’s Kickoff platform include Bud Light, GMC, Pepsi, Snickers, Verizon and Visa and associate sponsors include Castrol, Gatorade and Papa John’s.

Media may visit www.nflmedia.com to apply for credentials to cover “NFL Kickoff 2011.” The credential deadline is Thursday, September 1.

HISTORY OF NFL OPENING KICKOFF EVENTS

9/5/2002
Times Square, New York
CBS, MTV, VH1 and ESPN
Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Alicia Keys, Eve, Cast of Broadway musical Rent with Joey Fatone of NSYNC
San Francisco at NY Giants (ESPN)

9/4/2003
The National Mall, Washington, DC
ABC
Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Britney Spears, Good Charlotte
NY Jets at Washington (ESPN)

9/9/2004
Gillette Stadium, New England/ Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville
ABC
Boston Pops, Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, Elton John, Toby Keith, Lenny Kravitz (NE); Jessica Simpson (Jax.)
Indianapolis at New England (ABC)

9/8/2005
Gillette Stadium, New England/ Los Angeles Coliseum, LA/Detroit
ABC
Green Day, Santana, Michelle Branch, Ozzy Osbourne, Trisha Yearwood (NE); Kanye West, Maroon 5, Good Charlotte, Rihanna (LA); Rolling Stones (taped from Detroit)
Oakland at New England (ABC)

9/7/2006
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh/Miami
NBC
Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride (Anthem) (Pitt.); Diddy, Cassie, Yung Joc, Tego Calderon (Miami)
Miami at Pittsburgh (NBC)

9/6/2007
Monument Circle/RCA Dome, Indianapolis
NBC, NFLN
John Mellencamp, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder, Keyshia Cole & Voices of Unity Youth Choir (Anthem)
New Orleans at Indianapolis (NBC)

9/4/2008
Columbus Circle, New York City/Giants Stadium, New Jersey
NFLN, NBC
Natasha Bedingfield, Keith Urban, Usher
Washington at New York Giants (NBC)

9/10/2009
Point State Park/Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
NFLN, NBC
Tim McGraw, The Black Eyed Peas, Harry Connick Jr. (Anthem)
Tennessee at Pittsburgh (NBC)

9/9/2010
Jackson Square (Parade & Concert) /Superdome, New Orleans
NFLN, NBC
Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift, Harry Connick Jr., Colbie Caillat (Anthem)
Minnesota at New Orleans (NBC)

9/8/2011
Lambeau Field,
Green Bay
NFLN, NBC
Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5
New Orleans at Green Bay (NBC)