FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
by FOX Sports
Moose Talks Turkey [Day Football] and Looks Ahead to Giants/Vikings Sunday
FOX SPORTS STUFFS THURSDAY WITH THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL — This Thursday, FOX Sports serves up a special Thanksgiving helping of football when NFC North rivals Green Bay Packers square off with the Detroit Lions, live from Ford Field. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action from Detroit and will have the pleasure of presenting the game's most valuable player with the new and improved NFL ON FOX GALLOPING GOBBLER AWARD.
Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. ET with a special edition of FOX NFL SUNDAY honoring America's Armed Services (see note below) co-hosted by Terry Bradshaw, Curt Menefee along with analysts Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. On Thursday's show, reporter Pam Oliver talks to recently reinstated Green Bay Packer Koren Robinson about his lifelong battle with alcoholism and his inspirational road back to the NFL. In addition, legendary athletes in every sport, including Wayne Gretzky, Jack Nicklaus and Roger Staubach, pay tribute to future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre with their personal Thanksgiving Day messages. Also, comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo helps facilitate a special appearance from legendary broadcaster John Madden to talk about a day filled with his favorite things: football, food and Favre.
FOX SPORTS SERVES HOLIDAY SALUTE TO ARMED SERVICES & INCREASES AUTISM AWARENESS — As families gather this Thanksgiving holiday to celebrate with food, friends and football, FOX Sports takes the opportunity to honor our troops stationed around the world as well as bring attention to an important health issue for American families.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET FOX NFL SUNDAY welcomes over 200 members of the Armed Services live in-studio prior to the Packers taking on the Lions. Military personnel from the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Edwards Air Force Base, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and Naval Base Ventura County will be featured throughout the one hour show, with several participating in a football demonstration on the studio's "FOX Field" and asking questions during the show's "Rapid Fire" segment.
In addition, Thursday's game includes a unique initiative from Autism Speaks, an organization committed to increasing understanding of autism spectrum disorders. To bring awareness to millions of Thanksgiving Day football fans, FOX Sports' on-air broadcasters will wear ties or scarves featuring Autism Speaks' distinctive puzzle-piece logo.
TWO LEGENDARY QUARTERBACKS SUIT UP ON THANKSGIVING — Going to a stadium on Thanksgiving is second nature to NFL on FOX lead game analyst Troy Aikman. Over his 12-year Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys, he competed in nine Thanksgiving Day games compiling a 5-4 record. This Thursday, he'll be behind the mike for his sixth Thanksgiving Day broadcast as Packers' quarterback Brett Favre makes his fourth holiday start. Below are some questions about each legendary quarterback's history on Turkey Day:
AIKMAN/FAVRE THANKSGIVING QUIZ (Answers found below)
1. In 1994, the only potential Troy Aikman vs. Brett Favre Thanksgiving Day matchup never took place due to what Aikman injury?
2. In that same Nov. 24, 1994 Thanksgiving Day game, which 3rd string quarterback, currently a coach on the Cowboys staff, lead the Cowboys to a 42-31 victory on 5 consecutive 2nd half touchdown drives?
3. Who was the 2nd string quarterback forced to sit out of that game?
4. Brett Favre has been intercepted by the Detroit Lions a total of three times on Thanksgiving Day 2003. Which former Lions cornerback has two of them?
5. What Thanksgiving Day trophy/honor does current Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo have, that Aikman and Favre don't?
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25
On Sunday, Nov. 25 FOX Sports continues its Week 12 coverage with five exciting matchups. At 1 p.m. ET, running back Chester Taylor tries to fill the void left by Adrian Peterson when the Minnesota Vikings travel to New York for a showdown with the Giants. Sunday's early slate also features an NFC South battle when the New Orleans Saints visit the Carolina Panthers. At 4 p.m. ET, the surging Arizona Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers. Play-by-play broadcaster Kenny Albert, analyst Daryl Johnston & sideline analyst Tony Siragusa cover Vikings/Giants from East Rutherford, NJ.
MOOSE LETS LOOSE ON PLAYING ON THANKSGIVING & GIANTS/VIKINGS SHOWDOWN FROM THE MEADOWLANDS — NFL on FOX analyst and former Dallas Cowboys fullback, Daryl "Moose" Johnston talked about the highs and lows of playing on Thanksgiving year after year and took a look ahead at what he sees in the Minnesota Vikings/NY Giants matchup this Sunday.
ON WHAT IT MEANS TO PLAY THE THANKSGIVING GAME: "When you come into the league you are excited about being a part of a game that you watched growing up," said Johnston. However, as the games start to add up, the Thanksgiving Day game loses a bit of its luster. "As you get older, it becomes difficult to work through the soreness on the short week however always being on the home team gave us an extra day to practice while they traveled."
ON WHAT THE GIANTS WILL FACE THIS WEEKEND AGAINST THE VIKINGS: "The Giants are going against a team that has a completely different philosophy this weekend. Last week the Lions were all about throwing the ball to a very good wide receiver group. This weekend the Vikings are going to line up and challenge the Giants to stop the run. The emphasis shifts from the defensive line and secondary to the linebackers," said Johnston.
ANSWERS TO AIKMAN/FAVRE TRIVIA
1. Right thumb
2. 3rd string QB Jason Garrett
3. 2nd string QB FSN's Rodney Peete
4. Dré Bly
5. NFL on FOX's Galloping Gobbler
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