NFL legend Jerry Rice joins BBC studio team

BBC Two · Rugby · 24 Oct 2008 · by: BBC

Jerry Rice – widely regarded as the best wide receiver ever and one of the greatest players in NFL history – joins the BBC Television studio team for its coverage of New Orleans Saints v San Diego Chargers, live from Wembley stadium on Sunday (26 October).

The BBC's programme will be presented by Jake Humphrey, with Mike Carlson alongside Jerry Rice in the Wembley studio.

Coverage of the game, a competitive regular-season match, will begin at 4.30pm on BBC Two, with coverage switching to BBC Three at 7.00pm.

BBC Two will also air highlights of the game later that evening, with highlights also available for seven days on BBC iPlayer.

BBC Sport is in the second year of an exclusive free-to-air deal with the NFL, which began last season with a live broadcast of Super Bowl XLII from Arizona and highlights of the game at Wembley between the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins – the first competitive NFL game ever played outside of North America.

Jerry Rice said: "I am very excited about being in London and being part of the BBC TV broadcast of this historic event.

"It's a great opportunity to experience the passion of NFL fans in the UK and a chance to help take the sport of American football to a wider audience. To be a part of the BBC's renowned sports team is a great thrill.

"It's going to be an exciting game. Both teams can put up a load of points," he said.

"They like to throw the ball, so it's a dream for receivers like me. I wish I could get back out there on the football field."

BBC Sport Online will carry the BBC video and audio coverage live for UK users, plus video highlights available from Monday.

Coverage will also include previews, reports, reactions, photos and lots of debate on 606.

BBC 5 Live Sports Extra will broadcast uninterrupted coverage of the NFL match from 4.45 to 8.00pm, with commentary from Arlo White and Greg Brady.

The Saints and Chargers will both hope they can emulate the Giants by transferring success in London into victory in the Super Bowl.

The Saints came within one game of the Super Bowl two seasons ago, while the Chargers fell at the same stage last season.

They also feature running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who holds the NFL record of 31 touchdowns in a season.

Last year's Wembley game was such a success that the NFL has committed to playing at least one game in the UK for each of the next three seasons.