NFL FILMS’ THE TIMELINE EXAMINES THE TUCK RULE BETWEEN NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS & OAKLAND RAIDERS
‘The Tuck Rule’ Premieres Following Patriots-Buccaneers on ‘Thursday Night Football’
One-Hour Show Examines 2001 AFC Divisional Round Game Between New England Patriots & Oakland Raiders
“I saw their sideline…They knew it was a fumble. We all knew it was a fumble.” – Jon Gruden
The third season of NFL Network’s Emmy-nominated documentary series The Timeline from NFL Films continues Thursday, October 5 following the New England Patriots-Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday Night Football game with The Tuck Rule, telling the story behind the controversial call that secured a playoff victory for the Patriots over the Oakland Raiders in the 2001 AFC Divisional Round game.
Narrated by actor Michael Chiklis, The Tuck Rule examines one of the most significant plays in NFL history. With 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter of the 2001 AFC Divisional Round game, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, resulting in an apparent game-sealing fumble. Yet, the officials ruled it was an incomplete pass, therefore giving the ball back to the Patriots who went on to win in overtime. The result of that game – and the call which allowed the Patriots to retain possession – would prove to change the course of two franchises and create aftershocks that are still felt to this day.
The one-hour show features sitdown interviews with former Raiders such as Jon Gruden, Tim Brown and Amy Trask, former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, former NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira, and musician, actor and Raiders fan Ice Cube, as well as archived interviews with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, and former Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson.
Among the topics discussed in The Tuck Rule are:
- The Tuck Rule call with the Oakland Raiders leading the New England Patriots 13-10 with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter
- Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri’s 45-yard field goal to tie the game
- The Raiders’ coaching search in 1998 when they interviewed both Jon Gruden and Bill Belichick
- Jon Gruden’s trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defeating the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII
- The elimination of the Tuck Rule from the NFL rulebook in 2013
The Tuck Rule includes interviews with the following people:
Jon Gruden – Former Raiders head coach
Amy Trask – Former Raiders CEO
Ice Cube – Actor/Musician & Raiders fan
Tim Brown – Raiders Hall of Fame wide receiver
Mike Pereira – Former NFL Vice President of Officiating
Adam Vinatieri – Former Patriots kicker
Eric Allen – Former Raiders cornerback
Bill Belichick – Patriots head coach
Tom Brady – Patriots quarterback
Charles Woodson – Former Raiders cornerback
Lincoln Kennedy – Former Raiders offensive tackle
Provided below are some select quotes from The Tuck Rule:
– “I saw their sideline. Charlie Weis, [Bill] Belichick – all of them. [Tom] Brady. They knew it was a fumble. We all knew it was a fumble.” – Jon Gruden
– “I knew that what they were doing at that particular time was trying to find a reason to overturn this play because that was the only reason why it was taking so long.” – Tim Brown
– “I knew the call was right. I also knew that it was not going to be accepted by the majority of the people because they would read clear intent here that he was not trying to pass the ball when the ball came loose.” – Mike Pereira
– “If we win a divisional playoff game on the road in the snow, no matter what happens in Pittsburgh I believe that Jon Gruden remains as the head coach. I don’t think he leaves.” – Tim Brown
– “Stress, pressure and conditions, I would say that’s probably the one I’m most proud of and probably the most difficult kick ever.” – Adam Vinatieri
– “It’s amazing now when you look back on it that a rule that doesn’t exist cost you a chance to go to the Super Bowl. That doesn’t make me feel too good.” – Tim Brown
Airing throughout the 2017 season, The Timeline chronicles seminal moments that formed the NFL’s storied past, shape the present and, in some cases, set the stage for the future. Among the subjects featured this season are:
- The ’91 Falcons (Thursday, December 7) – Chronicles the exciting season of the 1991 Atlanta Falcons which head coach Jerry Glanville called “the most fun team ever in pro football.” Pro Football Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Brett Favre, and hip-hop artist T.I. are interviewed
- The Ice Bowl (December; Exact Date TBD) – Explores the most memorable cold weather playoff game in sports history that featured the face-off of two legendary teams: the Dallas Cowboys, led by Tom Landry, and the Green Bay Packers, led by Vince Lombardi
- The Helmet Catch (Super Bowl Week; Exact Date TBD) – The story of the moment that New York Giants receiver David Tyree secured a seemingly uncatchable pass that thwarted the New England Patriots’ chance at a perfect season that was set to end in a Super Bowl victory. Tyree and Giants quarterback Eli Manning appear in the episode to discuss how this play changed their careers
To view the trailer for this season of The Timeline, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxSHdf5U_GI
Each episode of The Timeline – as well as all NFL Network programming – is streamed live on smartphones through NFL Mobile from Verizon, and via Watch NFL Network on tablet (NFL Mobile, Watch NFL Network and NFL on Windows 10 apps), PC (NFL.com/watch), Xbox One and Xbox 360 (NFL on Xbox app) and other connected TV devices (NFL app on Apple TV, PlayStation 4, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV).
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