Saints Offensive Line Wins Third Annual Madden Protectors Award Presented by Prilosec OTC®

Published on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 13:18 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

CINCINNATI-( Business Wire )-

The Saints offensive line has been selected as the winner of the 2011 Madden Protectors Award, presented by Prilosec OTC^®. Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach JOHN MADDEN and Prilosec OTC presented the award, which honors the NFL’s best offensive line, during a press event in Indianapolis earlier today. Accepting the trophy on behalf of the New Orleans Saints were offensive linemen Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, Zach Strief, Brian De La Puente and Jermon Bushrod.

As a proud seven-year sponsor of the NFL, Prilosec OTC presents the Madden Protectors Award to recognize the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams’ success by providing reliable protection on game day, just as Prilosec OTC can provide 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed.^* The selection process was based on a number of measures including offensive line statistics – sacks allowed, rushing and passing yardage, time of possession, O-line penalties, 3rd and 4th down conversion percentages, red zone scoring conversions, fan voting plus Madden’s own personal observations throughout the season.

The Saints players providing the powerful protection throughout the season were tackles Zach Strief, Northwestern and Jermon Bushrod, Towson; guards Carl Nicks, Nebraska and Jahri Evans, Bloomsburg; and center Brian De La Puente, California. Adding depth on the offensive line were, Charles Brown, USC and Matt Tennant, Boston College.

“The offensive line doesn’t always catch the fans’ attention, so Prilosec OTC and I created this award to recognize the guys who provide the critical run blocking and pass protection,” said John Madden. “All season long, these five guys proved they had the mental and physical toughness that enabled the Saints offense to put up big numbers on the ground and in the air.”

Throughout the regular season, Coach Madden closely tracked the top offensive lines in the NFL and narrowed the field of contenders to five (5) finalists: the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and the New England Patriots.

Contributing to their Madden Protectors Award win, the New Orleans Saints offensive line provided reliable run blocking and powerful pass protection for the top-ranked offense in the NFL. The Saints led the league in yards per game (467.1) and ranked 2nd in sacks allowed (24 sacks). They also ranked 1st in total passing yards on the season (5,347), 6^th in total rushing yards (2127), and finished 2^nd in total points scored on the season (547).

Weighing 102 pounds, the Madden Protectors Award trophy is the heaviest trophy in NFL and serves as attribute to the NFL’s best offensive line.

NFL fans who want powerful 24-hour protection against frequent heartburn, or heartburn that occurs two or more days a week, can take a 14-day course of Prilosec OTC.*

* It’s possible while taking Prilosec OTC. Use as directed for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn.

About PRILOSEC OTC

PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 Doctor recommended† and #1 Pharmacist recommended OTC acid reducer‡ for the treatment of frequent heartburn. PRILOSEC OTC is the #1 selling OTC heartburn medicine* on the market 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 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.

† Wolters Kluwer: OTC Acid Reducer Category, through September 2011.

‡ Based on Pharmacy Times 2011 Survey.

* P&G calculation based in part on dollars sold reported by The Nielsen Company in the US market for the Stomach Remedies Category for the 12 month period ending the week of January 15, 2011.

About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)

P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company's leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS INC.

Formed in 1994, National Football League Players Inc. (NFL PLAYERS) is the exclusive 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 facilitates the marketing of them as personalities as well as professional athletes. Through a sponsorship agreement between the organization and the NFL, players are integrated into NFL sponsor activation programs. In addition, NFLPlayers.com, the company's official website, 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, visit www.NFLPlayers.com.

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