FOX NFL SUNDAY Thanksgiving Special at 11:30am ET; Undefeated Packers Battle Lions on FOX

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

 Week 12 NFL Action Kicks-Off Thursday with Special Holiday Serving of Packers/Lions

Thanksgiving Day Coverage Begins with America’s No. 1 Pregame

FOX NFL SUNDAY at 11:30 AM ET

FOX Airs College Football Championship Special Opposite NFL Action Sunday

Glazer & Hammond Honor Troops On Thanksgiving From U.S. Military Base In Korea

Hall of Famer Waltrip on Stewart’s Win: Epic

FOX SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SPECIAL AIRS SUNDAY – Championship weekend on FOX Sports is only a week and a half away.  In anticipation of the Pac-12 and Big Ten Football Championship Games on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3, FOX Sports presents the COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SPECIAL with host Kevin Frazier and analysts Marcus Allen, Charles Davis and Dhani Jones.  Hear from coaches and star players from teams participating in the Pac-12 and Big Ten Football Championship Games.  Frazier, Allen, Davis and Jones also preview the SEC and ACC Football Championship Games.  The special airs opposite the network’s singleheader NFL coverage on Sunday, Nov. 27 [3:00 PM ET (PRE-NFL for markets getting a 4:00 PM ET NFL game) OR 4:30 PM ET (POST-NFL for markets getting a 1:00 PM ET NFL game)].

THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL AIRS ON FOX – This Thursday, FOX Sports and the NFL continue what’s become an American tradition: NFL football on Thanksgiving Day.  FOX Sports is proud to kick-off Thursday’s football action from Ford Field in Detroit, MI as Matthew Stafford and the Lions host Aaron Rodgers and the undefeated Green Bay Packers.  Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the excitement from this NFC North rivalry.

Coverage begins at 11:30 AM ET with a special edition of FOX NFL SUNDAY live from Detroit co-hosted by Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee along with analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan.  FOX NFL SUNDAY insider Jay Glazer and NASCAR on FOX analyst Jeff Hammond join the show via satellite from Korea to spend time and honor our military service men and women this Thanksgiving.  Oliver sits down for an impactful one-on-one interview with Packers WR James Jones about how Jones overcame a childhood spent in homeless shelters to his rise as a Super Bowl champion.  Family is underscored Thursday with a tale of two of the NFL’s most successful coaches this season – brothers Jim & John Harbaugh as they prepare to face-off Thursday night in Baltimore.  Additionally, the special pregame show features an entertaining, fun look at the FOX family stable of former NFL players and their children who play football.

At 12:30 PM ET, Detroit native and Grammy award-winning artist Kid Rock performs to the home crowd before American Idol Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina sings the National Anthem.  At halftime, rock band Nickleback takes the stage for the 2011 United Way Thanksgiving Halftime Show which aims to inspire viewers to LIVE UNITED^®, United Way’s call to the public to get involved in the community by focusing on the building blocks of life: education, income and health. Now in its 38^th year, the United Way/NFL partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way’s 2018 goal to get 1.9 million more young people healthy and active.

Once game action concludes, Buck, Aikman & Oliver have the distinct honor of presenting the game’s most valuable player with the NFL ON FOX GALLOPING GOBBLER AWARD.  From the NFL’s Lombardi trophy to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Championship, the Gobbler is truly one of the most desired achievements in all of professional sports.  Though not listed in any of the past winners official Wikipedia pages, the Gobbler Award remains stronger than ever.  First introduced on Thanksgiving Day in 2002, the trophy was won by Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith when he rushed for 144 yards en route to a 27-20 victory over the Washington Redskins.

*“Official” Odds on the 2011 GALLOPING GOBBLER RECIPIENT

Aaron Rodgers: 4-1

Donald Driver: 8-1

Matthew Stafford: 6-1

Calvin Johnson: 6-1

Ndamukong Suh: 10-1

*As projected by FOX Sports Media Relations Staff

RECIPIENTS OF THE GALLOPING GOBBLER

2002 – Emmitt Smith, Cowboys RB

2003 – Dré Bly, Lions CB

2004 – Julius Jones, Cowboys RB

2005 – Michael Vick, Falcons QB

2006 – Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys QB

2007 – Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers QB

2008 – DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys DE

2009 – Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers WR

2010 – Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

2011 – ???????

BIGGEST STARS ON ICE PAY TRIBUTE TO CANCER SURVIVORS – Following FOX Sports’ Thanksgiving Day coverage of the Packers at Lions, ice skating takes center stage at 4:00 PM ET.  KALEIDOSCOPE ON ICE features the biggest stars in figure skating performing inspiring routines that pay tribute to the millions of Americans who are surviving cancer.  By pairing awareness and education with the talent and beauty of champion ice skaters and music performers, KALEIDOSCOPE celebrates survivorship and inspires both those dealing with cancer and those who want to do more to fight it. This skating and music exhibition features both group and solo numbers by a stellar line-up of skating champions including Nancy Kerrigan, Johnny Weir, Sasha Cohen and a unique mix of musical guests.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

TEAMS DEALING WITH INJURY CONCERNS HIGHLIGHT WEEK 12 SUNDAY SLATE – On Sunday, Nov. 27 FOX Sports continues Week 12 with singleheader coverage of six intense matchups – each presented in true HD. Action kicks-off at 1:00 PM ET as Christian Ponder and the Vikings travel to Atlanta to take on Matt Ryan and the Falcons. LaGarrette Blount looks to continue his strong running against a Titans defense that is ranked 22^nd in the NFL against the run. Cam Newton and the Panthers are in Indianapolis to battle the winless Colts. Also, the Rams host the Cardinals. The 4:00 PM ET window opens with the Bears who look to continue their winning ways without Jay Cutler as they take on Carson Palmer and the Raiders.  Lastly, the Redskins are in Seattle to face the Seahawks.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched Sunday afternoon 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 presents the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment.  FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira is also on hand to go over any impactful officiating issues.

For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Follow the NFL on FOX on-air personalities @Jay_Glazer, @JimmyJohnson, @CurtMenefee, @MikePereira, @MichaelStrahan, @TroyAikman, @KennyAlbert, @CoachBillick, @TimBrewster, @CFD22 (Charles Davis), @DarylJohnston, @The_ChrisMyers, @LauraOkmin, @ChadPennington, @TimRyan99 & @TonySiragusa on Twitter as they provide insight and analysis all weekend. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

GAME                                                                                     PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE                COV.                       TIME 

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons                           Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick                      32%                       1:00PM 

                                                                                                & Laura Okmin

Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Providence, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Tulsa, West Palm Beach

Tampa Bay Bucs at Tennessee Titans                         Dick Stockton, John Lynch                                 6%                        1:00PM

                                                                                                & Jennifer Hale

LP Field – Nashville, TN

MARKETS INCLUDE: Fort Myers, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, Tampa

Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts                       Chris Myers & Tim Ryan                      5%                        1:00PM 

Lucas Oil Stadium– Indianapolis, IN

MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Indianapolis, Raleigh

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams                             Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington                           4%                        1:00PM

                                                                                                & Tina Cervasio

Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO

MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, St. Louis

Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders                               Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston                            40%                      4:05PM

                                                                                                & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa

Oakland-Alameda Co Coliseum – Oakland, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, New York, Pittsburgh, San Antonio

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks               Ron Pitts, Jim Mora                                             12%                      4:05PM

                                                                                                & Drea Avent

Qwest Field – Seattle, WA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Norfolk, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle

Washington

DW: TONY’S CHAMPIONSHIP EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF WINNING VS. POINTS IN NASCAR – NASCAR Hall of Famer and NASCAR on FOX lead analyst Darrell Waltrip applauds 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit champion Tony Stewart for his determination, heart and providing fans with an unbelievable ending.  “I have run into some immoveable forces in my time but I have never ever seen anyone as determined as Tony Stewart,” said Waltrip.  “Tony’s confidence and enthusiasm and energy were too powerful for Carl Edwards to overcome.  Carl did everything right, made no mistakes but the super natural powers of Tony behind the wheel of the 14 car, a number he chose because of his hero AJ Foyt, won out literally in the end. It was an epic battle between two titans.  In reality, they tied but fans wanted more emphasis on winning and that was the difference!”

FOX SPORTS MEDIA GROUP WEEKEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

*All Times Eastern

— FOX SPORTS —