Chicago Bears Middle Linebacker Brian Urlacher gets the nod. Packer fans everywhere begin to throw things.
CHICAGO BEARS PRO BOWL LINEBACKER BRIAN URLACHER JOINS SEGA SPORTS FOR NFL
2K3
All-Pro Defensive Player Signs on to Become Official Spokesperson for SEGA
Sports NFL 2K3; Unites With Award-Winning Football Franchise
SAN FRANCISCO (May 13, 2002) - SEGA Sports(tm), the brand that continues to
set new standards in sports video gaming, today announced the signing of
Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher to serve as the official
spokesperson and cover athlete for "SEGA Sports(tm) NFL 2K3." After joining
the Chicago Bears in 2000, Brian Urlacher quickly made his mark in the NFL,
winning The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The
league and numerous sporting publications have honored him since as one of
the NFL's top defensive players. He is also a two-time Pro Bowl pick who has
led the Chicago Bears in total tackles, sacks, solo tackles and tackles for
loss.
"Brian Urlacher's breakthrough play has redefined the middle linebacker
position. The hard work and drive he has shown through his dedication to the
NFL and the Chicago Bears exemplifies what SEGA Sports is all about -
fortitude, strength and passion," said Tom Nichols, group director of sports
marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Brian has offered our development team
strategic advice and counsel about what it's like to be one of the toughest
and athletically gifted young linebackers in the NFL. With his help and the
many numerous additions to this year's game there is no doubt 'SEGA Sports
NFL 2K3' will own the playing field."
"I've been dreaming of being on an NFL video game cover since I started
playing football," Urlacher said. "I am honored to be a part of 'SEGA
Sports NFL 2K3' because this game offers the best perspective on what it's
really like to be on the football field. SEGA Sports has managed to capture
the most realistic details of the game, down to the look and the feel of
realistic tackles."
Urlacher loaned his high-intensity defensive moves to "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3"
in a motion capture session held earlier this year. In addition, he spent
time in the sound studio recording defensive huddle audio calls and worked
with the development team in a defensive play design session. Urlacher's
input and thorough knowledge of the game was used in designing the ultra
realistic AI and detailed team-specific defensive playbooks in "SEGA Sports
NFL 2K3."
Developed by Visual Concepts, the development house behind the sports video
game revolution and makers of the acclaimed "SEGA Sports NFL 2K" and "SEGA
Sports NBA 2K" series, "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" will bring sports gamers the
detailed authenticity and breathtaking realism that they have come to expect
from the SEGA Sports NFL franchise. With new lifelike player animations,
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" comes to the 2002 season bigger and stronger than ever
before with enhanced play calling intelligence and a brand new ESPN
broadcast system with the familiar ESPN overlays, scores and highlights.
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" will also build upon the legacy already set by its
predecessors by adding an incredibly deep Franchise Mode, which gives gamers
a chance to control the team as both coach and general manager.
Urlacher joins the long line of great athletes who have graced the covers of
SEGA Sports titles such as tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, 76ers
guard Allen Iverson, Heisman(R) Trophy winner Eric Crouch and New York
Yankees(R) slugger Jason Giambi.
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" will be available at retailers nationwide this fall
for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(tm) video
game system from Microsoft(R) and Nintendo GameCube(tm).