NFL and NFL PLAYERS Offering Fans Chance to Bid on Brees and Favre Jerseys & Super Bowl and Pro Bowl Trips

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The NFL announced today plans for the "BACK TO FOOTBALL 2010 KICKOFF CHARITY AUCTION" to support the New Orleans Saints Gulf Coast Renewal Fund. The NFL and NFL PLAYERS partnered to assemble an unprecedented array of one-of-a-kind experiences and autographed memorabilia from some of the NFL's top stars, including Super Bowl XLIV MVP DREW BREES and Minnesota Vikings QB BRETT FAVRE, who will face off September 9 to kick off the 2010 season. Fans may bid on 150 experiences and items now through 10 p.m. ET Sunday, September 12 on www.nfl.com/auction.

Among the experiences and items:

• Super Bowl XLIV helmet signed by Super Bowl XLIV MVP DREW BREES.
• Authentic jersey signed by Brees.
• Game-worn jerseys from NFL stars TOM BRADY, BRETT FAVRE, ELI MANNING, PEYTON MANNING, RANDY MOSS, TONY ROMO & MARK SANCHEZ.
• Super Bowl XLIV opening kickoff ball.
• Football signed by the Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints.
• VIP trip for two to Super Bowl XLV in North Texas on February 6, 2011.
• VIP trip for two to the 2011 Pro Bowl in Hawaii on January 31, 2011.
• Guitar signed by TAYLOR SWIFT, who is performing in "NFL Kickoff 2010 Presented by EA SPORTS."
• Opportunity to walk the red carpet at LOMBARDI's Broadway premiere on October 21, 2010 in New York City.
• Opportunity to be on the set of HBO's Emmy-nominated series "Treme."
• Behind-The-Scenes VIP Experience at NBC's Football Night In America studio show including a tour; meet-and-greet with FNIA talent; autographed football by SNF/FNIA talent; & NBC Sports gift bag.

A full list of items can be found at www.nfl.com/auction.

The New Orleans Saints developed the Saints Gulf Coast Renewal Fund to benefit those affected directly by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A significant portion of the funds being raised are from the raffle of an official Super Bowl XLIV Championship Ring identical to the one that was awarded to the ownership, players, coaches and administrative staff.  More than $800,000 has been raised through this raffle to date. The funds will be allocated by an eight member board of directors made up of Gulf South community leaders, Saints ownership, senior executives, and a player.

The Back To Football 2010 Kickoff Charity Auction is part of the efforts to kick off the 2010 season and to honor the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and the city of New Orleans.  The Krewe of NFL Kickoff Parade will travel through the heart of the French Quarter and kicks off "NFL KICKOFF 2010 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS," the NFL's ninth annual football and music festival.  DAVE MATTHEWS BAND and TAYLOR SWIFT are scheduled to perform.  NFL Kickoff 2010 will be televised live, from 7:30-8:30 PM (ET)/6:30-7:30 PM (CT) on NBC and NFL Network, leading up to the season opener between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome (NBC, Westwood One Radio Sports, 8:30 PM ET).  This is the seventh consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.

SOURCE NFL