The Monday Night Football Chalk Talk Series began in the 1970’s with luncheons and football television talk series. In 2007 the series partnered with the NFL highlighting the teams and host cities participating in the Monday Night Football primetime games.
On October 4, 2010, in advance of the New England Patriots-Dolphins, the Monday Night Chalk Talk Series was held at the Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida.
The series featured Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross, and ESPN President George Bodenheimer; MNF analysts Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski; MNF reporter Suzy Kolber hosted the program with Jorge Sedano.
The panel, included Alumni players from the Dolphins and Patriots; former Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison, wide receiver OJ McDuffie, and wide receiver Mark Duper; and former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest and cornerback Ty Law.
The Chalk Talk will included an ESPN RISE Above Award segment where one male and one female high school student-athlete from the Miami area was honored for overcoming adversity and excelling in their sports and school, while motivating teammates/classmates to excel.
Monday’s honorees were volleyball player Klaudio Maxhari (Cypress Bay High School in Broward County) and soccer player Jenny Hernandez (American Senior High School in Dade County).
The game was a part of the NFL’s breast cancer awareness month initiatives and featured footballs with pink ribbon decals, on-field pink ribbon stencils, and many other pink items in show of support for the campaign. Former member of the singing group Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland was an invited guest.
ESPN is hosting MNF Chalk Talk Series events in seven cities during the 2010 NFL season. For more information on the Chalk Talk Series, click here.
_Daedrian McNaughton