The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The regular season is a term used, primarily, in North American sports. ... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... Year Founded 2002 Conference AFC Division South Home Field Reliant Stadium City Houston, Texas Team Colors Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red, and Liberty White Head Coach Dom Capers League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (0) The Houston Texans American football club is a National Football League...

With the Texans joining the NFL, the league's teams were realigned into eight divisions, four in each conference. In creating the new divisions, the league tried to maintain the historical rivalries from the old alignment, while at the same time attempting to organize the teams geographically. The significant changes were:

• The Seattle Seahawks were the only team that switched conferences; they moved from the AFC West to the NFC West.
• The Arizona Cardinals moved from the NFC East to the NFC West.
• The Texans, the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Tennessee Titans were placed into the newly formed AFC South.
• The Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers, the New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were placed into the newly formed NFC South.
• Both the AFC Central and the NFC Central were renamed AFC North and NFC North, respectively.

The playoff format was also modified: four division winners and two wild cards from each conference now advance to the playoffs. Year Founded 1976 Conference NFC Division West Home Field Qwest Field City Seattle, Washington Team Colors Seahawks Blue, Seahawks Navy, Seahawks Bright Green Head Coach Mike Holmgren League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (4) AFC West: 1988, 1999 NFC West: 2004, 2005 The Seattle Seahawks American... The AFC West is a division of the National Football Leagues American Football Conference. ... The NFC West refers to the Western Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... Conference NFC Division West Year Founded 1898 Home Field Sun Devil Stadium City Tempe, Arizona Team Colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Dennis Green League Championships (2) NFL Champions: 1925, 1947 Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (4) NFL West: 1947, 1948 NFC East: 1974, 1975 The Arizona Cardinals... The NFC East refers to the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... Conference AFC Division South Year Founded 1953 Home Field RCA Dome (formerly the Hoosier Dome) City Indianapolis, Indiana Team Colors Royal Blue and White Head Coach Tony Dungy League Championships (4) NFL Champions: 1958, 1959, 1968 Super Bowl: 1970 (V) Conference Championships (5) NFL Western: 1958, 1959, 1964, 1968 AFC... Conference AFC Division South Year Founded 1995 Home Field ALLTEL Stadium City Jacksonville, Florida Team Colors Teal, Black, and Gold Head Coach Jack Del Rio League Championships (0) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (2) AFC Central: 1998, 1999 The Jacksonville Jaguars are a National Football League team based in Jacksonville... Conference AFC Division South Year Founded 1960 Home Field The Coliseum City Nashville, Tennessee Team Colors Navy, Titans Blue, Red, and Silver Head Coach Jeff Fisher League Championships (2) AFL Champions: 1960, 1961 Conference Championships (1) AFC: 1999 Division Championships (8) AFL East: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967 AFC Central: 1991... The AFC South refers to the Southern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League that was created in 2002 when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... Year Founded 1965 Conference NFC Division South Home Field Georgia Dome City Atlanta, Georgia Team Colors Black, Red, Silver, and White Head Coach Jim L. Mora League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (1) NFC: 1998 Division Championships (3) NFC West: 1980, 1998 NFC South: 2004 The Atlanta Falcons American... Year Founded 1995 Conference NFC Division South Home Field Bank of America Stadium City Charlotte, North Carolina Team Colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (1) NFC 2003 Division Championships (2) NFC West: 1996 NFC South: 2003 The Carolina Panthers... Year Founded 1967 Conference NFC Division South Home Field Due to damage caused to the Louisiana Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, games are split between: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge) Alamodome City New Orleans, Louisiana Team Colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Jim Haslett League Titles League Championships (0) Conference... Conference NFC Division South Year Founded 1976 Home Field Raymond James Stadium City Tampa, Florida Team Colors Buccaneer Red, Pewter, Black, and Orange Head Coach Jon Gruden League Championships (1) Super Bowl: 2002 (XXXVII) Conference Championships (1) NFC: 2002 Division Championships (4) NFC Central: 1979, 1981, 1999 NFC South: 2002... The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League. ... The AFC Central refers to the Central Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League. ... The NFC Central refers to the Central Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... The American Football Conference (or AFC) is one of the two conferences that compose the National Football League. ... The NFC North refers to the Northern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League that was created in 2002 when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ...

The season ended with Super Bowl XXXVII when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders. Date January 26, 2003 Stadium Qualcomm Stadium City San Diego MVP Dexter Jackson, Safety Favorite Raiders by 4 National Anthem Dixie Chicks Coin toss 1972 Miami Dolphins: Don Shula, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Jim Langer, Nick Buoniconti, Paul Warfield Halftime show Shania Twain, No Doubt and Sting Attendance... Conference NFC Division South Year Founded 1976 Home Field Raymond James Stadium City Tampa, Florida Team Colors Buccaneer Red, Pewter, Black, and Orange Head Coach Jon Gruden League Championships (1) Super Bowl: 2002 (XXXVII) Conference Championships (1) NFC: 2002 Division Championships (4) NFC Central: 1979, 1981, 1999 NFC South: 2002... Conference AFC Division West Year Founded 1960 Home Field McAfee Coliseum City Oakland, California Team Colors Silver and Black Head Coach Norv Turner League Championships (4) AFL Champions: 1967 Super Bowl: 1976 (XI), 1980 (XV), 1983 (XVIII) Conference Championships (4) AFC: 1976, 1980, 1983, 2002 Division Championships (15) AFL West...

Major rule changes

• A player who touches a pylon remains in-bounds until any part of his body touches the ground out-of-bounds.
• Continuing-action fouls now become dead-ball fouls and will result in the loss of down and distance.
• Any dead-ball penalties by the offense after they have made the line to gain will result in a loss of 15 yards and a new first down. Previously, the 15 yard penalty was enforced but the down was replayed.
• The act of batting and stripping the ball from a player is officially legal.
• Chop-blocks are illegal on kicking plays.
• Hitting a quarterback helmet-to-helmet anytime after a change of possession is illegal.
• After a kickoff, the game clock will start when the ball is touched legally in the field of play. Previously, the clock started immediately when the ball was kicked.
• Inside the final two minutes of a half, the game clock will not stop when the player who originally takes the snap is tackled behind the line of scrimmage (i.e. a sack).

Final standings

W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against

The American Football Conference (or AFC) is one of the two conferences that compose the National Football League. ... Year Founded 1960 Conference AFC Division East Home Field Giants Stadium, referred to by the Jets as The Meadowlands City East Rutherford, New Jersey Team Colors Green and White Head Coach Herman Edwards League Titles League Championships (1) AFL Champions (& Pre-AFL-NFL Merger Super Bowl): 1968 (III) Conference Championships... Year Founded 1960 Conference AFC Division East Home Field Gillette Stadium City Foxborough, Massachusetts Team Colors Blue, Red, Silver, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick League Titles League Championships (3) Super Bowl: 2001 (XXXVI), 2003 (XXXVIII), 2004 (XXXIX) Conference Championships (5) AFC: 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004 Division Championships (9... Year Founded 1966 Conference AFC Division East Home Field Dolphins Stadium City Miami, Florida Team Colors Aqua Green, Coral Orange, Blue, and White Head Coach Nick Saban League Titles League Championships (2) Super Bowl: 1972 (VII), 1973 (VIII) Conference Championships (5) AFC: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1984 Division Championships (12... Year Founded 1960 Conference AFC Division East Home Field Ralph Wilson Stadium (formerly Rich Stadium) City Buffalo, New York Team Colors Dark Navy, Red, Royal, Nickel, and White Head Coach Mike Mularkey League Titles League Championships (0) AFL Champions: 1964, 1965 Conference Championships (4) AFC: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 Division... The American Football Conference (or AFC) is one of the two conferences that compose the National Football League. ... Year Founded 1933 Conference AFC Division North Home Field Heinz Field City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team Colors Black and Gold Head Coach Bill Cowher League Titles League Championships (4) Super Bowl: 1974 (IX), 1975 (X), 1978 (XIII), 1979 (XIV) Conference Championships (5) AFC: 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1995 Division Championships (17... Conference AFC Division North Year Founded 1946 Home Field Cleveland Browns Stadium City Cleveland, Ohio Team Colors Brown, Orange, and White Head Coach Romeo Crennel League Championships (8) AAFC Champions: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 NFL Champions: 1950, 1954, 1955, 1964 Conference Championships (11) NFL American: 1950, 1951, 1952 NFL Eastern... Year Founded 1996 Conference AFC Division North Home Field M&T Bank Stadium City Baltimore, Maryland Team Colors Black, Purple, and Metallic Gold Head Coach Brian Billick League Titles League Championships (1) Super Bowl: 2000 (XXXV) Conference Championships (1) AFC: 2000 Division Championships (1) AFC North: 2003 The Baltimore Ravens... Conference AFC Division North Year Founded 1967 Home Field Paul Brown Stadium City Cincinnati, Ohio Team Colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis League Championships (0) Conference Championships (2) AFC: 1981, 1988 Division Championships (5) AFC Central: 1970, 1973, 1981, 1988, 1990 The Cincinnati Bengals American football club... The AFC South refers to the Southern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League that was created in 2002 when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... Conference AFC Division South Year Founded 1960 Home Field The Coliseum City Nashville, Tennessee Team Colors Navy, Titans Blue, Red, and Silver Head Coach Jeff Fisher League Championships (2) AFL Champions: 1960, 1961 Conference Championships (1) AFC: 1999 Division Championships (8) AFL East: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967 AFC Central: 1991... Conference AFC Division South Year Founded 1953 Home Field RCA Dome (formerly the Hoosier Dome) City Indianapolis, Indiana Team Colors Royal Blue and White Head Coach Tony Dungy League Championships (4) NFL Champions: 1958, 1959, 1968 Super Bowl: 1970 (V) Conference Championships (5) NFL Western: 1958, 1959, 1964, 1968 AFC... Conference AFC Division South Year Founded 1995 Home Field ALLTEL Stadium City Jacksonville, Florida Team Colors Teal, Black, and Gold Head Coach Jack Del Rio League Championships (0) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (2) AFC Central: 1998, 1999 The Jacksonville Jaguars are a National Football League team based in Jacksonville... Year Founded 2002 Conference AFC Division South Home Field Reliant Stadium City Houston, Texas Team Colors Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red, and Liberty White Head Coach Dom Capers League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (0) The Houston Texans American football club is a National Football League... The AFC West is a division of the National Football Leagues American Football Conference. ... Conference AFC Division West Year Founded 1960 Home Field McAfee Coliseum City Oakland, California Team Colors Silver and Black Head Coach Norv Turner League Championships (4) AFL Champions: 1967 Super Bowl: 1976 (XI), 1980 (XV), 1983 (XVIII) Conference Championships (4) AFC: 1976, 1980, 1983, 2002 Division Championships (15) AFL West... Year Founded 1960 Conference AFC Division West Home Field INVESCO Field at Mile High City Denver, Colorado Team Colors Broncos Navy Blue, Orange, and White Head Coach Mike Shanahan League Titles League Championships (2) Super Bowl: 1997 (XXXII), 1998 (XXXIII) Conference Championships (6) AFC: 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998... Conference AFC Division West Year Founded 1960 Home Field Qualcomm Stadium City San Diego, California Team Colors Navy Blue, White, and Gold Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer League Championships (1) AFL Champions: 1963 Conference Championships (1) AFC: 1994 Division Championships (10) AFL West: 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964 AFC West: 1979, 1980... Conference AFC Division West Year Founded 1960 Home Field Arrowhead Stadium City Kansas City, Missouri Team Colors Red, Gold, and White Head Coach Dick Vermeil League Championships (3) AFL Champions: 1962, 1966 AFL Champions & Super Bowl: 1969 (IV) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (8) AFL West: 1962, 1965, 1966 AFC... The NFC East refers to the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... Year Founded 1933 Conference NFC Division East Home Field Lincoln Financial Field City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Team Colors Midnight Green, Silver, Black, and White Head Coach Andy Reid League Titles League Championships (3) NFL Champions: 1948, 1949, 1960 Conference Championships (3) NFL Eastern: 1960 NFC: 1980, 2004 Division Championships (9) NFL... Year Founded 1925 Conference NFC Division East Home Field Giants Stadium City East Rutherford, New Jersey Team Colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin League Titles League Championships (6) NFL Champions: 1927, 1934, 1938, 1956 Super Bowl: 1986 (XXI), 1990 (XXV) Conference Championships (9) NFL Eastern... Year Founded 1932 Conference NFC Division East Home Field FedEx Field City Landover, Maryland Team Colors Burgundy and Gold Head Coach Joe Gibbs League Titles League Championships (5) NFL Champions: 1937, 1942 Super Bowl: 1982 (XVII), 1987 (XXII), 1991 (XXVI) Conference Championships (5) NFC: 1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1991 Division... Conference NFC Division East Year Founded 1960 Home Field Texas Stadium City Irving, Texas Team Colors Royal Blue, Metallic Silver, Blue, and White Head Coach Bill Parcells League Championships (5) Super Bowl: 1971 (VI), 1977 (XII), 1992 (XXVII), 1993 (XXVIII), 1995 (XXX) Conference Championships (10) NFL Eastern: 1966, 1967 NFC... The NFC North refers to the Northern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League that was created in 2002 when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. ... Note: Basketball teams from Chicago and Anderson once used the name Packers as well. ... Year Founded 1961 Conference NFC Division North Home Field Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome City Minneapolis, Minnesota Team Colors Purple, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike Tice League Titles League Championships (1) NFL Champions: 1969 Conference Championships (4) NFL Western: 1969 NFC: 1973, 1974, 1976 Division Championships (16) NFL Central: 1968... Year Founded 1919 Conference NFC Division North Home Field Soldier Field City Chicago, Illinois Team Colors Navy Blue, Orange, and White Head Coach Lovie Smith League Titles League Championships (9) NFL Champions: 1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963 Super Bowl: 1985 (XX) Conference Championships (3) NFL Western: 1956... Year Founded 1930 Conference NFC Division North Home Field Ford Field City Detroit, Michigan Team Colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Dick Jauron interim League Titles League Championships (4) NFL Champions: 1935, 1952, 1953, 1957 Conference Championships (4) NFL National: 1952 NFL Western: 1953, 1954, 1957 Division Championships... The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League. ... Conference NFC Division South Year Founded 1976 Home Field Raymond James Stadium City Tampa, Florida Team Colors Buccaneer Red, Pewter, Black, and Orange Head Coach Jon Gruden League Championships (1) Super Bowl: 2002 (XXXVII) Conference Championships (1) NFC: 2002 Division Championships (4) NFC Central: 1979, 1981, 1999 NFC South: 2002... Year Founded 1965 Conference NFC Division South Home Field Georgia Dome City Atlanta, Georgia Team Colors Black, Red, Silver, and White Head Coach Jim L. Mora League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (1) NFC: 1998 Division Championships (3) NFC West: 1980, 1998 NFC South: 2004 The Atlanta Falcons American... Year Founded 1967 Conference NFC Division South Home Field Due to damage caused to the Louisiana Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, games are split between: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge) Alamodome City New Orleans, Louisiana Team Colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Jim Haslett League Titles League Championships (0) Conference... Year Founded 1995 Conference NFC Division South Home Field Bank of America Stadium City Charlotte, North Carolina Team Colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (1) NFC 2003 Division Championships (2) NFC West: 1996 NFC South: 2003 The Carolina Panthers... The NFC West refers to the Western Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... Year Founded 1946 Conference NFC Division West Home Field Monster Park City San Francisco, California Team Colors Metallic Gold, Cardinal Red, and Beige Head Coach Mike Nolan League Titles League Championships (5) Super Bowl: 1981 (XVI), 1984 (XIX), 1988 (XXIII), 1989 (XXIV), 1994 (XXIX) Conference Championships (5) NFC: 1981, 1984... Conference NFC Division West Year Founded 1937 Home Field Edward Jones Dome City St. ... Year Founded 1976 Conference NFC Division West Home Field Qwest Field City Seattle, Washington Team Colors Seahawks Blue, Seahawks Navy, Seahawks Bright Green Head Coach Mike Holmgren League Titles League Championships (0) Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (4) AFC West: 1988, 1999 NFC West: 2004, 2005 The Seattle Seahawks American... Conference NFC Division West Year Founded 1898 Home Field Sun Devil Stadium City Tempe, Arizona Team Colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Dennis Green League Championships (2) NFL Champions: 1925, 1947 Conference Championships (0) Division Championships (4) NFL West: 1947, 1948 NFC East: 1974, 1975 The Arizona Cardinals...

Tiebreakers

• N.Y. Jets finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on better record in common games (8-4 to 7-5) and Miami based on better division record (4-2 to 2-4).
• New England finished ahead of Miami in the AFC East based on better division record (4-2 to 2-4).
• Cleveland finished ahead of Denver and New England in terms of playoff seeding based on better conference record (7-5 to Denver's 5-7 and New England's 6-6).
• Oakland finished ahead of Tennessee in terms of playoff seeding based on better head-to-head record (1-0).
• San Diego finished ahead of Kansas City in the AFC West based on better division record (3-3 to 2-4).
• Philadelphia finished ahead of Green Bay and Tampa Bay in terms of playoff seeding based on better conference record (11-1 to Green Bay's 9-3 and Tampa Bay's 9-3).
• Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay in terms of playoff seeding based on better head-to-head record (1-0).
• St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle in the NFC West based on better division record (4-2 to 2-4).

Playoffs

Main article: NFL playoffs, 2002-03

Home team in capitals

The NFL playoffs following the 2002 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXVII. Prior to the 2002-03 season, the league realigned the teams into eight divisions (four in each conference). ...

AFC

• Wild-Card playoffs: N.Y. JETS 41, Indianapolis 0; PITTSBURGH 36, Cleveland 33
• Divisional playoffs: TENNESSEE 34, Pittsburgh 31 (OT); OAKLAND 30, N.Y. Jets 10
• AFC Championship: OAKLAND 41, Tennessee 24

The American Football Conference (or AFC) is one of the two conferences that compose the National Football League. ...

NFC

• Wild-Card playoffs: Atlanta 27, GREEN BAY 7; SAN FRANCISCO 39, N.Y. Giants 38
• Divisional playoffs: PHILADELPHIA 20, Atlanta 6; TAMPA BAY 31, San Francisco 6
• NFC Championship: Tampa Bay 27, PHILADELPHIA 10

The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League. ...

Super Bowl XXXVII

• Tampa Bay (NFC) 48, Oakland (AFC) 21 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Date January 26, 2003 Stadium Qualcomm Stadium City San Diego MVP Dexter Jackson, Safety Favorite Raiders by 4 National Anthem Dixie Chicks Coin toss 1972 Miami Dolphins: Don Shula, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Jim Langer, Nick Buoniconti, Paul Warfield Halftime show Shania Twain, No Doubt and Sting Attendance... Qualcomm Stadium, formerly known as San Diego Stadium and Jack Murphy Stadium, is a multiple-use stadium in San Diego, California. ... City nickname: Americas Finest City Official website: http://www. ...

Statistical leaders

Team

Individual

Priest Anthony Holmes (born October 7, 1973 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) is an American football running back who currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. Holmes was raised in San Antonio, Texas. ... Martín Gramatica (born November 27, 1975 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) was an American football kicker in the NFL. He went to LaBelle High School of LaBelle, Fla. ... 1998 Sports Illustrated cover showing Ricky Williams Ricky and coach Ditka on an ESPN Magazine cover Errick Lynne Williams, Jr. ... Chad Pennington, New York Jets quarterback. ... Thomas Edward Brady, Jr. ... Marvin Daniel Harrison (born August 25, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American football player who played for Syracuse University and is currently playing in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. ... Roderick Kevin Rod Woodson (born March 10, 1965 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) was a professional American football player. ... Brian Kelly (born 1/14/1976 in Las Vegas and a high school graduate from Aurora, Colorado) is a cornerback (CB) who graduated from USC and plays in the National Football League, currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ... Todd Sauerbrun, one of the NFLs top punters, punts the ball for the Carolina Panthers. ... Jason Paul Taylor (born September 1, 1974 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the NFL. He attended the University of Akron. ...

Awards

The NFL Most Valuable Player Award is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press, to the player who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... Richard Joseph Gannon (born December 20, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former American football quarterback, who achieved most of his success with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. ... The quarterback is a position in the offensive backfield of American and Canadian football, directly behind players of the line. He is generally the leader of the offensive team when it is on the field, responsible for initiating play by receiving the snap of the ball from the center. ... The NFL Coach of the Year Award is presented annually by the Associated Press to the NFL coach who has done the most outstanding job of working with the talent he has at his disposal. ... Birthdate March 19, 1958 Birthplace Los Angeles, California Current position Head Coach, Executive VP Current Team Philadelphia Eagles Specialty Offense Previous Team Green Bay Packers Super Bowl wins as a coach 1 Years as NFL Player 0 Years as a Coach 23 Years as an NFL coach 13 Years with... The NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award is given annually by the Associated Press to the offensive player who had the most outstanding season. ... High school running back A running back, halfback or tailback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... The NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the leagues most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. ... The defensive team or defense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. ... Since 1967 The Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to NFL American football players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. ... Clinton Earl Portis (born September 1, 1981 in Laurel, Mississippi) is an American football player who currently plays running back for the Washington Redskins of the NFL. He was drafted out of the University of Miami by the Denver Broncos with the 19th pick in the second round (51st overall... Since 1967 The Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to NFL American football players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. ... Julius Peppers. ... Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American football. ... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ... Tommy Maddox (born September 2, 1971 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is a professional American football player who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. ...

References

• NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 193299436X)
• NFL History 2001- (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
• Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (ISBN 0062701746)
• NFL adopts changes to rules (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
• New alignment takes effect in 2002 from ESPN.com, May 22, 2001 (Last accessed December 9, 2005)
• Seattle moved to NFC in approved realignment plan from CNNSI.com, May 22, 2001 (Last accessed December 9, 2005)