July 31, 2009

• Football Saturdays Link
  

Charlotte, N.C. – Raycom Sports’ Emmy Award-winning summer television series, “Havoline Football Saturdays in the South,” continues this weekend. This is the third of six one-hour episodes, hosted by Tim Brando and syndicated in 60 markets throughout the greater southeast and Atlantic coast.

This weekend’s show features NFL Hall of Famer and Virginia Tech star Bruce Smith. Learn about his humble beginnings at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia and how a chance meeting during the summer of his sophomore year at VT changed his career. In addition, learn how his excellence on the field has translated to success as a real estate developer in Blacksburg.

Catch up with former NC State quarterback Roman Gabriel as he gives back to his hometown of Wilmington, N.C. By redefining the quarterback position with his size and strength, Gabriel set 22 school records for the Wolfpack, and became a first round pick of the Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Rams at the same time. The 1969 NFL MVP, he also parlayed his size into several roles on television and in the movies, including sharing the screen with the legendary John Wayne.

After a turbulent couple of years, the Atlanta Falcons hoped for some stability when they drafted Matt Ryan 3rd overall out of Boston College in 2007. What they wound up getting was one of the best rookie quarterbacks in NFL history. Nicknamed “Matty Ice,” Ryan became a stabilizing force and led the Falcons to an improbable playoff berth. Witness how Ryan’s steely determination put him on par with another BC quarterback legend, and why he considers it important to dedicate time to several Youth Clinics.

Finally, catch up with the Carolina Panthers’ leading tackler and University of Miami product Jon Beason. In two short years, he has become the heart of the Panthers defense. See how his strong group of family and friends in South Florida, and the Hurricanes’ NFL alumni, have continued to motivate him through his career thus far. And learn how last season’s 12-4 record has left “The Beast” hungrier than ever.

A complete listing of local affiliates and airtimes is available at RaycomSports.com

Raycom Sports is a leading independent sports marketing, event management and production firm. Raycom is the television rightsholder of ACC men’s basketball and syndicated football telecasts. In addition, the company owns and operates the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte.

Raycom Sports’ parent company Raycom Media, located in Montgomery, AL, owns and operates 44 television stations covering over 12 percent of the United States across 18 states.