Prilosec OTC® Teams Up with Some of the NFL's Toughest Offensive Linemen to Highlight the Best Protection Available

CINCINNATI, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating the return of the NFL season, Prilosec OTC® – the #1 pharmacist recommended over-the-counter heartburn medicine according to Pharmacy Times – has teamed up with two of the NFL's toughest offensive lineman to showcase the importance of powerful protection when it comes to treating frequent heartburn. New York Giants All-Pro Offensive Tackle David Diehl and Minnesota Vikings Guard Anthony Herrera have teamed up with Prilosec OTC to tell why NFL players can't afford to let anything undercut their fierce concentration - not a bad play, and in their cases, definitely not frequent heartburn. The two standout linemen will be part of the Prilosec OTC 'Living Proof' campaign to share their heartburn protection stories this NFL season.

Just as these players offer powerful protection for their teams on the line, Prilosec OTC provides them with 24-hour protection against frequent heartburn with one pill a day so they can bring their best, no matter the situation. Herrera says he "anticipates heartburn when hunched over the O-line or when enjoying his favorite spicy foods." According to Diehl, he is affected by heartburn "most of his day and has to adjust his eating habits to compensate," but he knows that the one thing that can't change is his solid on-field performance.  

The Prilosec OTC Living Proof campaign will feature Diehl and Herrera's stories about the importance of powerful protection on http://www.prilosecotc.com, and will be supported by television and digital advertising also featuring the players. Throughout the season, both linemen will share their personal experiences with heartburn and how managing it has had a positive impact on their game.

"David Diehl and Anthony Herrera are living proof that heartburn can happen to even the toughest people," said Phil McWaters, Prilosec OTC brand manager. "These players will help people understand that frequent heartburn doesn't have to get in the way of their daily activities and that Prilosec OTC can them help manage and protect against it."

As powerful forces of the offensive line, both players are a testament to the importance placed on strong protection in the league. Herrera played an integral role in elevating the Vikings offense to 5th overall in the NFL last year – their highest ranking in five seasons; while Diehl has consistently demonstrated he is a strong and versatile player, starting every game since joining the Giants in 2003 and playing multiple positions across the offensive line.

Consumers can visit PrilosecOTC.com to get more information about Diehl and Herrera's Prilosec OTC partnership and to take their own 14-day Living Proof challenge.

All player participation arranged by NFL PLAYERS, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.

About PRILOSEC OTC

PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 Physician recommended OTC Acid Reducer in the U.S. for the period of April 2009 through March 2010*, the #1 Pharmacist recommended over-the-counter (OTC) Heartburn medicine** and the first of a class of OTC heartburn medicines that treats frequent heartburn with just one pill a day, unlike most over the counter heartburn medication. PRILOSEC OTC® is a leading OTC heartburn medicine that can work for 24 hours with one pill a day by directly shutting down many acid pumps in your stomach when used as directed for 14 days for the treating frequent heartburn. For more information about PRILOSEC OTC®, visit www.prilosecotc.com.  PRILOSEC OTC® is available over-the-counter through an alliance between P&G and AstraZeneca.  

About Procter & Gamble

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About NFL PLAYERS

Formed in 1994, NFL PLAYERS is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and many memorable former NFL players, NFL PLAYERS "takes the helmets off" the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. Through an exclusive sponsorship agreement between the organization and the NFL, players are integrated into NFL sponsor activation programs. In addition, NFLPLAYERS.COM, the company's official Web site, is part of the NFL Internet Network. Each year, NFL PLAYERS negotiates and facilitates extensive player marketing opportunities for players. NFL PLAYERS activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships and promotions, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and Internet. For more information, please visit NFLPLAYERS.COM.

© 2010 NFL Properties LLC. Team names/logos/indicia are trademarks of the teams indicated.  All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

* Wolters Kluwer Health, Wolters Kluwer: Acid Reducer Category, thru March 2010. Data on file.

** Pharmacy Times, OTC Supplement, June 2009

SOURCE Procter & Gamble