SEGMENT ON AL ‘HOAGY’ CARMICHAEL, 1950’s STAR, TO BE SEEN IN ‘NFL FILMS PRESENTS’ ON ESPN OVER CHRISTMAS

New York, December 13, 2007 – The Emmy-award winning series “NFL Films Presents”, hosted by Steve Sabol, will include a segment over Christmas on Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer Al “Hoagy” Carmichael, the handsome star out of USC who set the kickoff return mark of 106 yards over a half century ago.

The segment will air at 4 am ET on Monday, December 24, (1 am PT on Christmas Eve), and again at 2:30 pm ET on Christmas Day, December 25 (11:30 am PT) on ESPN.

Carmichael, 79, was interviewed in the New Jersey studios of NFL Films for the program by Sabol, who said, “It was the longest interview I can remember doing; he’s Forrest Gump! He’s been everywhere! Between his football career and his acting career, one story was better than the next!”

The segment in fact, runs nearly 12 minutes and is one of the longest the show has run.

Carmichael played in the same backfield as Frank Gifford at USC and was a Rose Bowl MVP in 1953 before going to the Packers as a number one draft pick. After being cut by rookie coach Vince Lombardi (“I wish I’d had you long ago”), he wound up with the Denver Broncos and scored the first touchdown in AFL history in a game against the Boston Patriots. (Carmichael, who now resides in Southern California, was born in Boston).

His Hollywood connections led to stunt work, double work, and acting with the likes of Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, and plenty of celebrity “photo ops” with the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Mamie Van Doren.

His greatest moment in football was the record breaking kickoff return, accomplished in 1956, and not beaten until this season, when the Patriots’ Ellis Hobbs went 108 yards.

Al’s son Chris, in a loving tribute to his dad, has authored “106 Yards,” a spectacular book tracking his father’s career through text, photos, clippings and memorabilia. It all makes the era of 1950s football come alive. (See www.106yards.com for ordering information, and further background on Al, including film of the 106 yard run).

NFL Films Senior Producer Peter Frank produced the Al Carmichael segment.

Contact: Marty Appel Public Relations (212) 245-1772