The NFL Kickoff game, and related festivities, mark the start of the National Football League season. The first game of the season falls typically on the Thursday following Labor Day. A single game is held, preceded by a concert and other ceremonies. In most recent years, the defending Super Bowl champion hosts the showcased Kickoff game. The remainder of the league plays their opening weekend game the following Sunday or Monday. The pregame concert and game is televised live, currently on NBC. The National Football League (NFL) is the largest and most prestigious professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... Labour Day (or Labor Day) is an annual holiday that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. ... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ... NBC (a former acronym for National Broadcasting Company) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ...

The game was introduced in the 2002 season, as an effort to boost economical recovery in the New York City and Washington, D.C. areas in the wake of 9/11. ESPN televised the first game. In order to do so, ESPN eliminated its traditional late-October Thursday night game (held the weekend of games 1 and 2 of the World Series), and replaced it with the opening night kickoff game. For 2003, the game's popularity and success saw it move to ABC as part of the Monday Night Football package. In order for the kickoff game to fit into the schedule, ABC dropped the Monday Night Football game held in the last week of the NFL season, which had become increasingly unpopular because it had to be scheduled before the season, meaning it often lacked playoff significance. The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: , Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack... The date that commonly refers to the attacks on United States citizens on September 11, 2001 (see the September 11, 2001 Attacks). ... For other events named World Series, see World Series (disambiguation). ... The 2003 NFL season was the 84th regular season of the National Football League. ... The American Broadcasting Company ( oftenly known as ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... Monday Night Football (MNF) is a live television broadcast of the National Football League. ...

After the "Wardrobe malfunction" incident at Super Bowl XXXVIII, the NFL initially canceled future plans for concerts in conjunction with the NFL Kickoff game.^[1] Later in the year, however, the decision was reversed, and instead a 10-second broadcast delay was put in place.^[2] Janet Jackson covers her exposed breast immediately after Justin Timberlake tears off part of her wardrobe to expose it Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was broadcast live on February 1, 2004 from Houston, Texas, was noted for a controversial halftime show in which Janet Jacksons bare breast was exposed by... Date February 1, 2004 Stadium Reliant Stadium City Houston, Texas MVP Tom Brady, Quarterback Favorite Patriots by 7 National anthem Beyoncé Coin toss Earl Campbell, Ollie Matson, Don Maynard, Y.A. Tittle, Mike Singletary, Gene Upshaw Referee Ed Hochuli Halftime show Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, P. Diddy, Kid Rock...

In 2006, primetime rights to the NFL switched to NBC, and the game moved to that network. In 2007, the Indianapolis Colts champions of Super Bowl XLI, will host the New Orleans Saints^[3]. Super Bowl XLII will be the 42nd Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) between the National Football Conference (NFC) and American Football Conference (AFC) champions. ... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Speed Blue, White, and Gray Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Blue [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1953–present) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC East (1970-2001) AFC... Date February 4, 2007 Stadium Dolphin Stadium City Miami Gardens, Florida MVP Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Colts Favorite Colts by 7, over/under line 49. ... This May 2007 does not cite any references or sources. ...

Past results

Host team labeled in bold. The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League. ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National... Giants Stadium, also called The Meadowlands, is the home stadium for the New York Giants and New York Jets NFL football teams, and Red Bull New York (formerly MetroStars) of Major League Soccer. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... The 2003 NFL season was the 84th regular season of the National Football League. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green, the Green and White Team colors Hunter Green and White Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Woody Johnson General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... FedEx Field is a sports stadium located in Landover, Maryland, a community off of the Washington Beltway (I-495) in Prince Georges County near the site of the old Capital Centre later called USAir Arena. ... The American Broadcasting Company ( oftenly known as ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Speed Blue, White, and Gray Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Blue [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1953–present) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC East (1970-2001) AFC... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The 2005 National Football League regular season began on Thursday, September 8, 2005 and ended on Sunday, January 1, 2006, New Years Day. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football... City Oakland, California Other nicknames The Silver and Black, Da Raidahs Team colors Silver and Black Head Coach Lane Kiffin Owner Al Davis General manager Al Davis League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–1969) Western Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC... The 2006 NFL season is the 87th season of the National Football League, the major professional American football league in the United States. ... September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team colors Black and Gold Head Coach Mike Tomlin Owner Dan Rooney General manager Kevin Colbert League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1933–present) Eastern Division (1933–1943; 1945–1949) Western Division (1944) American Conference (1950–1952) Eastern Conference (1953–1969) Century Division (1967–1969) American Football... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua, Coral, White and Navy Head Coach Cam Cameron Owner H. Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T.D. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1966-1969) Eastern Division (1966-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... Heinz Field is a football stadium located just across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... NBC (a former acronym for National Broadcasting Company) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... Super Bowl XLII will be the 42nd Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) between the National Football Conference (NFC) and American Football Conference (AFC) champions. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... This May 2007 does not cite any references or sources. ... City Indianapolis, Indiana Team colors Speed Blue, White, and Gray Head Coach Tony Dungy Owner Jim Irsay General manager Bill Polian Mascot Blue [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1953–present) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC East (1970-2001) AFC... The RCA Dome is a domed stadium located in Indianapolis, Indiana which is the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise. ...

* - Game was not hosted by the Defending Super Bowl Champions The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ...

Pre-game concerts

Aerosmith performs on the National Mall in Washington, DC, September 4, 2003

• 2002: "NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square" started at 4:30 p.m. and led up to kickoff of the game at the Meadowlands. The concert was headlined by Bon Jovi (who also performed at halftime), and also featured Enrique Iglesias, Eve and Alicia Keys. The event included recognition and support of New York City's 9/11 memorial events.

• 2003: The event moved to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and was billed as "NFL Kickoff Live From The National Mall Presented By Pepsi Vanilla." Britney Spears who was introduced by Air Force Staff Sergeant Richard W. Duken II from Leesville LA, stationed at Tinker AFB, Aerosmith and Mary J. Blige headlined the concert. The activities started at 6 p.m. and featured a tribute to troops active in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was attended by thousands of American military personnel. ABC televised the concert live from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. eastern. Aretha Franklin concluded the concert by singing the national anthem from the National Mall leading up to kickoff.

• 2004: After initially being cancelled, the event was reinstated, and the 2004 "NFL Opening Kickoff" took place in two locations. At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the New England Patriots were honored as Super Bowl XXXVIII champions. Performers at the stadium included Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child, Elton John, Toby Keith and Lenny Kravitz. Jessica Simpson performed from Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville, Florida, site of the upcoming Super Bowl XXXIX. The concert aired live on ABC from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., just prior to gametime. The 2004 festivities firmly established the tradition of holding the game and concert at the home of the defending Super Bowl champion, and also linking the event to the location of the upcoming Super Bowl.

• 2005: The fourth annual "NFL Opening Kickoff" featured concert activities from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Detroit, and Los Angeles. The Super Bowl XXXIX champion New England Patriots again were honored at the event, hosted by Freddie Prinze, Jr., and broadcast live on ABC. Performers at the stadium included Green Day, Carlos Santana, Michelle Branch, and a surprise appearance by Ozzy Osbourne, who emerged from a giant-sized helmet. The Rolling Stones were shown on video from a taped broadcast in Detroit. Kanye West, Maroon 5, Good Charlotte and Rihanna performed from a red-white-and-blue stage in Los Angeles. Trisha Yearwood concluded the hour long concert by singing the national anthem back at Gillette Stadium.

• 2006: The Thursday night concert and game switched to NBC for 2006, and was billed as "NFL Opening Kickoff 2006 Presented by Sprint." The 30-minute concert broadcast live from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, and from a special stage in South Beach in Miami, near the home of the upcoming Super Bowl XLI. Diddy and Cassie entertained from Miami, while Rascal Flatts were in Pittsburgh, along with Martina McBride, who sang the national anthem.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (981x1101, 670 KB) Image:Aerosmith. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (981x1101, 670 KB) Image:Aerosmith. ... Times Square Broadway at 42nd St. ... Bon Jovi is a hard rock band originating from New Jersey. ... Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler (born May 8, 1975, in Madrid, Spain) is a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning Spanish-born, Miami-based singer and is of Asian and european ancestry. ... Eve Jihan Jeffers (born November 10, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), better known as Eve or E-V-E, is a Grammy-award winning American rapper, singer, and actress. ... Alicia Keys (born Alicia J. Augello-Cook on January 25, 1980) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, philanthropist, and author. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... Facing east across the Mall with ones back towards the Lincoln Memorial. ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: , Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack... Pepsi Vanilla is a drink produced in Purchase, New York by soft drink company PepsiCo. ... Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is a Grammy Award-winning[1] American pop singer, dancer, actress, author and songwriter. ... This article is about the band Aerosmith. ... Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971 in The Bronx, New York), is a six-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B, soul, and hip-hop soul singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and actress who has sold over forty million albums around the world since her career began in 1991. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American soul, R&B, and gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Foxborough (or Foxboro) is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, approximately 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Boston and 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Providence, Rhode Island. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football... Date February 1, 2004 Stadium Reliant Stadium City Houston, Texas MVP Tom Brady, Quarterback Favorite Patriots by 7 National anthem Beyoncé Coin toss Earl Campbell, Ollie Matson, Don Maynard, Y.A. Tittle, Mike Singletary, Gene Upshaw Referee Ed Hochuli Halftime show Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, P. Diddy, Kid Rock... Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971 in The Bronx, New York), is a six-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B, soul, and hip-hop soul singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and actress who has sold over forty million albums around the world since her career began in 1991. ... Destinys Child was a three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B girl group. ... Sir Elton Hercules[1] John CBE [2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is a multiple Grammy and Academy Award-winning English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Toby Keith Covel (born July 8, 1961) is an American country singer and song writer. ... Leonard Albert Lenny Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and arranger whose retro style incorporates elements of rock, soul, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk, and ballads. ... Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American pop singer and actress who rose to fame in the late 1990s. ... Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ... Date February 6, 2005 Stadium ALLTEL Stadium City Jacksonville, Florida MVP Deion Branch, Wide receiver Favorite Patriots by 7 National anthem Combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Founded 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area  - City  143. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: , State California County Los Angeles County Settled 1781 Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ... Freddie James Prinze (born March 8, 1976) is an American actor, perhaps best known for his leading roles in teen-oriented films. ... Green Day is an American rock band band comprising three core members: Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, lead vocals), Mike Dirnt (bass, backing vocals) and Tré Cool (drums). ... Carlos Augusto Alves Santana (born July 20, 1947), known simply as Carlos Santana or Santana, is a Grammy Award-winning Mexican-born American Latin rock musician and guitarist. ... Michelle Jacquet DeSevren Branch-Landau (born July 2, 1983) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter and guitarist. ... Ozzy Osbourne (born John Michael Osbourne, December 3, 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, England) is the lead vocalist of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, a popular solo artist, and the star of the reality show, The Osbournes. ... “Rolling Stones” redirects here. ... Kanye Omari West (pronounced /kÉ‘n. ... Maroon 5 is a Grammy-winning soul-influenced rock band from Los Angeles, California comprising five members: Adam Levine (lead vocals, guitar), James Valentine (guitar, backing vocals), Jesse Carmichael (keyboards, backing vocals), Mickey Madden (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Matt Flynn (drums). ... Good Charlotte is a Pop Punk band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. ... Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988) is a Bajan singer with musical influences from R&B, pop, reggae, rock, dancehall and funk. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. ... Heinz Field is a football stadium located just across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... Nickname: Motto: Benigno Numine (With the Benevolent Deity) Location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Coordinates: , Country United States Commonwealth Pennsylvania County Allegheny Founded November 25, 1758 Incorporated April 22, 1794 (borough)   March 18, 1816 (city) Government  - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) Area  - City 151. ... The famous Ocean Drive on South Beach at night. ... Nickname: Location in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida. ... Date February 4, 2007 Stadium Dolphin Stadium City Miami Gardens, Florida MVP Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Colts Favorite Colts by 7, over/under line 49. ... Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969)[1] is an American record producer, mogul, CEO, clothing designer, and a rapper. ... For the Canadian actress, see Cassie Steele. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Martina McBride (born Martina Mariea Schiff, July 29, 1966 in Sharon, Kansas) is an American Grammy nominated country music singer. ...

Television ratings

• 2002- ESPN, 7.8/14
• 2003- ABC, 12.9/22
• 2004- ABC, 11.4/20
• 2005- ABC, 11.7/21
• 2006- NBC, 12.6/21

^[4]

References

1. ^ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7158058
2. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/quickie?date=040908
3. ^ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10089529
4. ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20060908nbc01#Scene_1