“I’m going to Disney World!”

Manning’s pronouncement, part of the production for one of TV’s most enduring and iconic Super Bowl commercials, was captured seconds after the final whistle. Manning – named the game’s MVP — completed 30 of 40 passes and amassed 296 yards, including his trademark fourth-quarter heroics, leading the Giants to the winning score.

Manning’s stellar performance was crucial in Sunday’s game and earned him a second “I’m going to Disney World!” accolade.  In 2008, Manning was treated to a hero’s welcome at Disney after leading the Giants to an upset win over the Patriots, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII.

He becomes the first Giants quarterback to win two Super Bowls.

On Monday (Feb. 6), Manning is scheduled to go to the place where millions of vacationers make memories celebrating their own personal milestone moments – Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. Manning will be joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth football players, who will participate with the Giants star in the Super Bowl celebration near Main Street, U.S.A.

This latest commercial is the 45th in a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Manning again joins a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m Going to Disney World” commercials.

“Bell’s strategic commitment to bring Canadians the best mobile content across world-leading new broadband networks continues to accelerate the popularity of Bell Mobile TV right across the country,” said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Residential Services, and Bell’s Chief Brand Officer. “With this unbeatable roster of live hockey, curling, football and basketball events available on Bell superphones, rooting for your favourite team just got better.”

Some of the top-rated sporting events available live on Bell Mobile TV include:

January 29	2012 Tim Hortons NHL All Star Game
January 29	Pro Bowl
February 5	Super Bowl XLVI
February 18-26	Scotties Tournament of Hearts
March 3-11	Tim Horton’s Brier Cup
March 10	Vancouver Whitecaps season begins
March 15	NCAA Basketball March Madness begins
April – May	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs
May- June	2012 Stanley Cup Final

Alongside its impressive roster of live sports, Bell Mobile TV also delivers live news on CTV News Channel, BNN and CBC Newsworld, children’s content on YTV and Treehouse, and a wide variety of popular programming from CTV and CTV Two..

Bell Mobile TV is available for just $5 per month for 5 hours of Mobile TV usage.

Bell offers Canada’s most impressive portfolio of superphones and other mobile devices with large enhanced resolution displays including the LG Optimus LTE, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy SII and Galaxy Tab LTE. When paired with Bell Mobile TV, only Bell customers have on-the-go access to the most top-rated content available directly on the industry’s best superphones, smartphones and tablets.

For Bell Mobile TV channel listings, details on sporting event availability, and more information on the service, visit Bell.ca/MobileTV

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, recently announced Johnathan Gray of Aledo High School (Aledo, Texas) as its 2011-12 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.  Gray, a two-time Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, was surprised with the news last month by a phone call from New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Today, he was surprised with a visit from former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who earned Gatorade Michigan Football Player of the Year honors in 1989-90.

“When I received the state award, it was a really significant moment for me, so it felt great to invite Johnathan into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports,” said Bettis.  “Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids.”

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Gray as the nation’s best high school football player.  A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Gray from more than 1.1 million high school football players nationwide.  Gray is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

The 5-foot-10, 202-pound senior running back has led the Bearcats to a 14-2 record and a a third consecutive 4A Division II state title.  Gray finished the season with 3,886 yards and a state-record 65 touchdowns on 347 carries.  The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, he also hauled in  26 passes for 517 yards and 5 TDs.  Gray’s 205 career rushing touchdowns are a national record and his 1,232 career points rank second nationally.  Gray set state records in career carries, touchdowns, points, 100-yard games and single-season rushing touchdowns.  He became the third prep athlete in state history to eclipse 10,000 career rushing yards, ranking second overall with 10,889.

Serving on his school’s student council and as an Aledo High student representative on the Aledo Independent School District Health Committee, Gray has maintained a B average in the classroom.  In addition to donating his time as a youth football instructor and a mentor to special education students, he has volunteered on behalf of his church’s youth group, an alcohol and drug awareness program and Baylor All Saints Hospital’s Helping Hands Foundation.

“The blueprint for a perfect high school running back would include the speed to excel in track, the size to run with power and withstand 20-30 hits per game and the humility to ensure teammates will go to battle with him and put forth their best effort,” said Brian Stumpf, ESPNHS Senior Director of Event Development and football analyst.  “At 5-foot-10, 200-plus pounds with sprinter speed and constant praise of his teammates, Johnathan Gray is that back.  His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his skill set should help him be very successful at the next level.”

Gray has verbally committed to play football on an athletic scholarship at the University of Texas beginning in the fall of 2012.

“Without question, Johnathan is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school football player based on his statistics on the field and the impact his accomplishments have had on Aledo’s success,” said Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan.  “But he is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  He represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport.  The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Former notable Gatorade National Players of the Year include:

• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning
• WNBA all-time leading scorer and rebounder Lisa Leslie
• NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith
• Kansas City Royals Cy Young award-winner Zach Grienke

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, announced Johnathan Gray of Aledo High School (Aledo, Texas) as its 2011-12 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Gray as the nation’s best high school football player.  A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Gray from more than 1.1 million high school football players nationwide. Gray is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

 The 5-foot-10, 202-pound senior running back has led the Bearcats to a 12-2 record and a berth in the Class 4A, Division II state semifinals against Corsicana High, scheduled for Dec. 9. Gray rushed for 3,435 yards and 59 touchdowns on 295 carries entering the postseason round of four. The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, he also hauled in 22 receptions for 458 yards and five scores through 14 games. Gray set state records in career carries, touchdowns, points, 100-yard games and single-season rushing touchdowns. He became the third prep athlete in state history to eclipse 10,000 career rushing yards. He needs 50 points to tie the national prep career scoring record and five TDs to tie the national career touchdowns record.

Serving on his school’s student council and as an Aledo High student representative on the Aledo Independent School District Health Committee, Gray has maintained a B average in the classroom. In addition to donating his time as a youth football instructor and a mentor to special education students, he has volunteered on behalf of his church’s youth group, an alcohol and drug awareness program and Baylor All Saints Hospital’s Helping Hands Foundation.

“The blueprint for a perfect high school running back  would include the speed to excel in track, the size to run with power and withstand 20-30 hits per game and the humility to ensure teammates will go to battle with him and put forth their best effort,” said Brian Stumpf, ESPNHS Senior Director of Event Development and football analyst. “At 5-foot-10, 200-plus pounds with sprinter speed and constant praise of his teammates, Johnathan Gray is that back. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his skill set should help him be very successful at the next level.”

Gray has verbally committed to play football on an athletic scholarship at the University of Texas beginning in the fall of 2012.

“Without question, Johnathan is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school football player based on his statistics on the field and the impact his accomplishments have had on Aledo’s success,” said Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan.  “But he is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  He represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Former notable Gatorade National Players of the Year include:

• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning
• WNBA all-time leading scorer and rebounder Lisa Leslie
• NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith
• Kansas City Royals Cy Young award-winner Zach Grienke

The 2011 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from 10 finalists and announced this November.

“This year’s candidates are an outstanding bunch, there is no shortage of positive role-model athletes,” according to former Brigham Young University Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards who chairs the selection committee.

Previous winners are Arizona Cardinals and former University of Texas defensive end, Sam Acho (2010); Miami Dolphin and former Kansas State University tight end, Jeron Mastrud (2009), Chicago Bears and former Northwestern University receiver Eric Peterman (2008); Winnipeg Blue Bombers and former Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007); Cincinnati Bengels and former Rutgers University fullback, Brian Leonard (2006) and, Carolina Panthers and former University of Memphis running back, DeAngelo Williams (2005).

The 2011 finalists, in alphabetical order are:

• Ben Boothby, University of Northern Iowa
• Drew Butler, University of Georgia
• Austin Davis, University of Southern Mississippi
• Gilbert “Chaz” Hine, University of Southern Florida
• Stuart Hines, University of Kentucky
• Barrett Jones, University of Alabama
• Jared Karstetter, Washington State University
• Cory Leman, Eastern Illinois University
• Adam Replogle, Indiana University
• David Ruffer, University of Notre Dame

To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.

Along with LaVell Edwards, the other members of the committee include (for a full list, go to arasportsmanshipaward.com):

• Bobby Bowden (Florida State)
• Fisher DeBerry (Air Force Academy)
• Spike Dykes (Texas Tech)
• Don James (Washington)
• Dick MacPherson (Syracuse)
• Don Nehlen (West Virginia)
• Tubby Raymond (Delaware)
• Gene Stallings (Alabama)
• Ted Tollner (University of Southern California)

As summer ended, there was a sense of trepidation in the air for football fans.  Would the arrival of fall also mean the arrival of professional football or would the lock-out continue? Luckily, all that was impacted was the pre-season and the season began on time. And, for the fifth year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys are the favorite team of adults who follow professional football.

The Pittsburgh Steelers move up from 4th last year to number 2 on the list while the Green Bay Packers remain at number 3. Rounding out the top five favorite football teams are the New England Patriots who move up from number 6 to number 4 and “da” Bears who move up from number 9 last year to 5th this year.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,462 adults surveyed online between September 12 and 19, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Certain teams have moved up or down more than others this year. Some of the largest movers this year include:

• The Detroit Lions moved up 11 places on the list from number 30 last year to number 19 this year;
• The Miami Dolphins moved up 8 places from a tie for number 21 to number 13;
• The Oakland Raiders dropped 8 places, from a tie at number 17 to number 25;
• Two teams moved up 7 places each – The Washington Redskins, from number 15 to number 8, and the New York Jets, from number 16 to a tie for number 9; and,
• Two teams dropped 6 places each – the New Orleans Saints, from number 5 to number 11, and the Arizona Cardinals, from number 11 to a tie at number 17.

For the third year in a row, the Jacksonville Jaguars are at the bottom of the list.

The season may only be a few weeks old but it’s never too early to start thinking about the upcoming Super Bowl. One-quarter of Americans who follow professional football (24%) believe the Green Bay Packers will win the Super Bowl while 23% believe it will be the New England Patriots.  Smaller numbers believe it will be the Philadelphia Eagles (8%), the Pittsburgh Steelers (6%) or the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints or Baltimore Ravens (4% each). All teams, including the team ranked 32nd, the Jacksonville Jaguars, have their die-hard fans and at least a few people believe their team will win the Super Bowl this season.

Who follows football?

Even with the threat of a strike-shortened season, football remains very popular and over half of Americans (55%) say they follow professional football, a slight increase from last year when 53% said so. This is also the highest number to say they follow football since 1998 when 55% said so.  As might be expected, men are more likely than women to follow football (71% versus 41%). Close to three in five (57%) of both Gen Xers (those 35-46) and Baby Boomers (those 47-65) say they follow football as do 55% of Matures (those 66 and older) but just over half (52%) of Echo Boomers (those 18-34)  say they do. There is also a regional difference as almost three in five Easterners (58%) and Midwesterners (58%) and over half of Southerners (56%) say they follow professional football compared to just under half of Westerners (49%). And, with the presidential election in the not too distant future, it is interesting to note there is a partisan difference in who follows football. Just over half of Independents do (53%) as do 56% of Democrats compared to over three in five Republicans (62%).

So What?

While it may not be America’s pastime, a fall Sunday afternoon just would not be the same for a majority of Americans without football on television and this year that came close to happening. Luckily, these fans were spared the strike and it seems they appreciate football a bit more than last year. Hopefully both the NFL owners and the players understand that without these fans, there isn’t much of a game for them to play.

Electronic Arts announced Mark Ingram, former University of Alabama running back, has been chosen by fans to be featured on the cover of EA SPORTS NCAA Football 12, set to hit retail shelves on Tuesday, July 12. The NCAA Football 12 “U Want ME” campaign was the first-ever online consumer vote for a cover athlete in franchise history.

Throughout the month of March, fans logged on to the EA SPORTS NCAA Football Facebook page to vote for one of four standouts from the 2010 college football season – Auburn University defensive lineman, Nick Fairley, University of Alabama running back, Mark Ingram, University of Oklahoma running back, DeMarco Murray, and University of Washington quarterback, Jake Locker. More than 140,000 votes were cast, and in the end, Mark Ingram became the first fan-voted cover athlete in NCAA Football franchise history.

Following his outstanding 2009 season, Ingram captured college football’s two biggest prizes: the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship. During a decorated career at Alabama, Ingram rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 42 touchdowns, including 17 touchdowns and more than 1,600 yards during his Heisman Trophy-winning sophomore season. In Alabama’s 37-21 victory over Texas in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, Ingram capped his sophomore season by scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 116 yards on 22 carries, being named the Offensive MVP.

NCAA Football 12 takes the journey of the college athlete to the next level of depth and authenticity. Experience the pride and pageantry of gameday Saturday like never before as players go from high school superstar to top college player to head coach in the Road to Glory and Dynasty modes. With an enhanced in-game presentation, new traditions, and an all-new collision system, players make an impact by leading their team to the National Championship in NCAA Football 12.

Developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon, and licensed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, NCAA Football 12 will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Senator Tom Udall (D—NM) and Congressman Bill Pascrell (D—NJ) sponsored the bill, which would give companies that make football helmets for youth and high school athletes nine months to improve helmet safety standards. If they fail to do so, the Consumer Product Safety Commission would be required to set standards. The bill would also enforce stricter penalties for companies that make false safety claims.

At a press conference with the bill sponsors, Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, Director of Neuroscience Research at Kessler Foundation in West Orange, N.J., explained the medical implications of concussions: “Concussions are brain injuries that impact the brain permanently…with every concussion, you are weakening the connections in the brain. Repeat concussions increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment [problems with thinking, learning and memory] and depression later in life, as well as illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Rep. Pascrell, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, said, “We want our children to be active and athletic, but in the safest possible circumstances right down to the helmets they put on their heads. This bill is the logical next step in Congress’ effort to protect our young athletes from brain injuries.” In September, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Pascrell’s Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act, which calls for national protocols to be established for the management of sports-related concussions.

A concussion is caused by a blow or jolt to the head.  The concussion rate for young athletes has doubled in the past decade. According to WebMD, 40% of the approximately 250,000 sports-related head injury cases seen in the emergency room between 2001 and 2005 were children, ages 8-13 years.

A study by the National Association of Injury Prevention, released in January 2011, reported that 47% of high school football players endure a concussion in one season while 35% have multiple concussions in a season. Approximately 85% of concussions, however, remain undetected.

Kessler Foundation Research Center conducts groundbreaking research, examining the medical, rehabilitation, cognitive and functional problems associated with acquired brain injury and related conditions.

Ads promoting alcohol and other products geared toward an older audience.

Christy Buchanan, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University and an expert on parent-child relationships, says parents shouldn’t squirm on the couch until each round of beer ads is over, but should take action. They can turn uncomfortable moments in front of the TV into “values moments” with their children.

“It is important for parents to address issues and share their values,” says Buchanan, “So, when beer commercials come on, talk about your views on drinking. There are so many societal messages that say ‘drinking makes life fun.’ This is a parent’s opportunity to say what they think and start a discussion.”

Pro football is by far the most popular sport to watch among kids; 66% of kids ages 7-11 say they watch pro football on television. A study by the non-profit group Common Sense Media reviewed nearly 6,000 commercials in 60 NFL games in a recent NFL season and found the following:

• 300 of the ads were for alcohol
• 40% of the games included advertisements for erectile-dysfunction drugs
• 500 of the advertisements involved significant levels of violence, including gun fights, explosions, and murders
• 80 of the advertisements involved significant levels of sexuality, including scenes about prostitution and strippers

Buchanan offers the following tips to parents trying to figure out what to do when a kindergartner asks, “What is Viagra?” or a teenager comments on how much fun people are having in a beer commercial:

• Take a “values moment” — Leave the TV on, but talk about family values. For older children (middle school age and up), use the opportunity to engage children in conversation, particularly about issues such as drinking.
• Ask children what they think about what they are seeing or hearing, then respond to their perceptions and reactions.
• Switch channels and find another show — For younger children, hit the previous channel button to Animal Planet or “Sponge Bob” on the remote control. Go back to the game in two minutes.
• Mute the TV — Without the sound, commercials lose a lot of their impact. Use this time to talk about what’s happening in the game.

“I do think that doing things like the Super Bowl can be ‘family bonding’ events despite the commercials,” Buchanan says.

Hyundai Motor America will lift the veil on one of the longest standing conspiracies in the auto industry during Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, Feb. 6.  Hyundai contends that consumers have been conditioned to purchase boring compact cars for practicality and reliability, and accept uninspired design, cramped interiors, and limited innovation, for far too long. Marketing has systemically lowered expectations in the compact car segment, with consumers rewarding the industry by continuing to buy appliance-like clones. Hyundai urges consumers to “Snap Out of It,” with a two-part group therapy session beginning in the game’s first quarter with a spot called “Hypnotized,” followed by a healing session in Q3 with an ad called “Deprogramming.” Both offer the all-new 2011 Elantra as treatment for the malaise afflicting the long-suffering compact car shopper.

Hyundai marks its fourth consecutive year as a Super Bowl advertiser by deprogramming 100 million Americans tuned in to watch the game. Both Elantra spots, themed “Snap Out of It,” stem from the same campaign that originated during the AFC Championship Game, but offer two distinct interpretations.

“Hypnotized” features everyday driving imagery interlaced with the rhythmic staccato placement of title cards asking: “Have we been hypnotized to believe compact cars are good enough?”  The spot questions the idea that compact cars are as good as they can be, and suggests consumers in turn question how that belief has become so ingrained in our culture. Long-held beliefs softened by the first spot are then confronted directly with the second, called  ”Deprogramming,” which seeks to hypnotize 100 million viewers simultaneously through a kaleidoscope of graphics featuring compact car stereotypes paired with a soothing voiceover declaring, among other things, “compact cars can be more.” Once the viewer is fully entranced, the voice calmly brings them back to reality saying, “Snap out of it, man.”  After the Elantra reveal, look for Hyundai to play further off viewers lulled into therapeutic susceptibility with a light-hearted nod to New Age empowerment.

“We love the Super Bowl’s ability to transform over 100 million Americans into advertising aficionados, so we went with a playful theme that ties a marketing-driven conspiracy theory to our fresh take on the compact car segment, the 40-mpg Elantra,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.  ”Building from the first two Elantra ads in the AFC Championship Game, and 10 viral spots online right now, the Super Bowl shifts the campaign into top gear with what may be the biggest group therapy hypnosis session ever attempted.”

Hyundai will round out its Super Bowl appearance with a third spot starring the 2011 Sonata Hybrid which highlights Hyundai’s commitment to innovation. The ad, titled “Anachronistic City,” shows a variety of early-generation devices – all innovative in their time – to convey that, while Sonata is not the first hybrid to the market, it is a sophisticated evolution of hybrid technology and a smart challenger of conventional, early-generation hybrids. The Sonata Hybrid spot will run in the fourth quarter.

All three Super Bowl commercials feature Hyundai’s 2011 “New Thinking, New Possibilities” brand vision.  Innocean Worldwide Americas, Hyundai’s agency of record, is responsible for all creative. To view Hyundai’s Super Bowl ads, please visit, www.hyundainews.com/Media_Kits/Video_Clips/.

The 2011 Elantra sets the bar in the compact sedan category offering modern design, outstanding fuel economy, loads of comfort and convenience features at a low starting price of $14,830.  Unique in the compact car segment, every 2011 Elantra sedan has a 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, with no extra-cost fuel economy packages required.

Sonata Hybrid delivers a segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, higher than any other mid-size sedan, hybrid or non-hybrid. In city driving, Sonata Hybrid delivers 35 mpg, yielding a 37 mpg combined city/highway rating from the EPA. Sonata Hybrid’s fuel economy is powered by the industry’s first application of third-generation lithium polymer batteries which are more space efficient, lighter weight and offer higher energy density than existing nickel-metal hydride and pending lithium-ion applications.