ATLANTA (AP) The Latest on Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta (all times EST):
2:35 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill will receive the Paul Tagliabue Award from the Fritz Pollard Alliance on Thursday in Atlanta.
The award is given to a person who demonstrates the integrity and leadership former NFL Commissioner Tagliabue exhibited in career development opportunities for minority candidates and advocacy for diversity on the league and club level. It was established in 2012 by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which was created to promote diversity and equality of job opportunity in the coaching, front office and scouting staffs of NFL teams.
”The Bidwill family has always done the right thing on issues of equality, from the days when Adele Harris was PR and community relations director back in St. Louis to the current day,” said John Wooten, chairman of the alliance. ”Michael’s leadership has been a critical component in carrying the Cardinals’ legacy of equal opportunity forward.”
In 1978, Harris became the first African-American female executive in the NFL when she was hired as director of community relations by the team. In 2004, the Cardinals became the first NFL team to have an African-American general manager/head coach duo in Rod Graves and Dennis Green. Two of Arizona’s last five head coaches have been black.
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12:20 p.m.
The Los Angeles Rams are a slight underdog against the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
EA Sports begs to differ.
In the video game maker’s simulation of the NFL’s championship game on ”Madden NFL 19,” the Rams defeated the Patriots 30-27. All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named the Most Valuable Player for his four-sack performance.
Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 17-3 halftime lead, but the Rams rallied in the second half and won the game on Todd Gurley’s 5-yard touchdown run.
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11:25 a.m.
The NFL is launching a yearlong celebration for its centennial season.
The campaign, ”NFL100”, will kick off during the Super Bowl with ”The 100-Year Game,” a commercial to air during Sunday’s broadcast on CBS. It will pay tribute to the moments, players and images from around the league. The spot will include more than 40 current and former NFL players, including 19 Hall of Famers.
The events begin during the draft in April in Nashville, Tennessee, and will build leading up to the first game of the 100th season in the fall. The NFL100 celebration will last throughout the season and will culminate at next season’s Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 2, 2020.
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