AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Battle of Unbeatens Sunday on NBC

Published on February 13, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Courtesy: NBC Press Release

NEW YORK - Feb. 13, 2003 - Jay Gruden, the veteran Arena Football League Orlando quarterback who was an assistant coach on his brother Jon's staff with the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, returns to the NBC Sports airwaves this Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. ET when he leads undefeated Orlando (2-0) into battle against quarterback Jim Kubiak and undefeated Dallas (2-0) in Orlando. Jay Gruden has thrown six touch down passes in each of Orlando' s two wins, despite completing his Tampa Bay Bucs coaching duties and reporting to training camp just three days before the season opened. Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporting) on the broadcast.

"I love it [the AFL]," said Super Bowl XXXVII Champion Jon Gruden

Tampa Bay Bucs Super Bowl Champion Head Coach Jon Gruden, who attended his brother's game [Jay] last week and is expected to be in attendance on Sunday said, "I love it [the AFL]. I've been following the AFL since my brother's been playing in the league. Kurt Warner comes out of the Arena league. (Miami Dolphins WR) Oronde Gadsden comes out of the Arena League. A number of players - some high profile in our league, and some very obscure players, have come from the Arena League. It's a great league. They're all pros. They have their lives at stake every single Sunday and that means a lot.

During a visit to the NBC booth Jon Gruden even admitted that while playing in the backyard as a kid, he pretended to be Pat Haden. "I did, old No. 10 at USC.

When Jon Gruden was shown footage of Jay barking at a teammate in last week' s win at Chicago, Jon said, "I wonder where he gets that from?" Hammond: "I think it runs in the family." Jay Gruden will again wear a microphone during the Dallas-Orlando contest.

AFL on NBC Studio Show to Feature Live Interviews with Orlando WR Cory Fleming and Dallas Head Coach Joe Avezzano

The AFL on NBC Studio Show, a TelePrompTer-free zone, hosted by Al Trautwig with analysts Michael Irvin and Glenn Parker, will include a live interview with Irvin's former Cowboys teammate Cory Fleming, a wide receiver for Orlando.

Also, NBC Sports mined the Florida State archives from the early ‘60s and came up with old stills of Dallas Head Coach Joe Avezzano from his playing days. NBC Sports will talk live to Avezzano from Orlando just prior to his game. The weekly studio show will feature pre-game analysis and features, halftime games updates from around the league, as well as the latest NFL news, and post-game wrap-up interviews.

Week 3 of the AFL on NBC also features regional coverage of Los Angeles at Colorado, where another sellout is expected; San Jose at Georgia and Chicago at Indiana.

LOS ANGELES (2-0) AT COLORADO (0-2)

Los Angeles' thrilling 73-72 victory over the defending ArenaBowl Champion San Jose squad has Los Angeles Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss and the Avengers in the lead of the Western Division for the first time in franchise history. Meanwhile, John Elway's Colorado franchise has fallen short in both of its games this season, but has remained in each contest until the final seconds. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst) and Dave Burns (reporter) will handle the broadcast duties.

"The AFL is a Great Product," said Elway

When asked about getting involved with the AFL Elway said, "We looked at it and said, ‘What makes this league where it is?' Number one, it's got a great product, but it was also underexposed. Once NBC came on board, with the exposure it needed to get to the next level, if it did that, it had a chance to be real successful. That was the bottom line, the partnership with NBC.

SAN JOSE (1-1) AT GEORGIA (1-1)

The reigning ArenaBowl Champion San Jose was edged by Los Angeles and handed its first regular-season loss last week, but is prepared not to endure a repeat defeat. Despite the loss, San Jose's QB Mark Grieb had an impressive showing, completing 16-of-22 passes for 290 yards and seven touchdowns. Eli Gold (play-by-play) and John Riggins (analyst) have the call.

CHICAGO (0-2) AT INDIANA (2-0)

Friends and foes meet at the Conseco Fieldhouse as Head Coach Mike Dailey and Indiana host his good friend Mike Hohensee, Chicago's Head Coach. Indiana QB Raymond Philyaw captured MVP Game honors with a 272-yard, three-touchdown performance in last week's 65-54 victory over New York. Chicago QB Billy Dicken (74 TDs in 2002, No. 2 in AFL) looks to get his offense back on track with second-year OS Antonio Chatman and Cornelius Bonner being his main targets. Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) have the telecast.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 13, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central