------A HOUSTON SALUTE – OFFICIAL OPENING
      CEREMONY FOR SUPER BOWL XXXVIII

Emmy Award winner and longtime CBS Sports Anchor Jim Nantz had a vision and a dream when Houston was awarded the 32nd NFL franchise (the Houston Texans) in October of 1999. Along with the franchise, owner Bob McNair had negotiated for Houston to host Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

Jim Nantz was a transplanted Houstonian having moved to Houston as a teenager. Nantz attended the University of Houston on a partial golf scholarship and got his start in broadcasting in the Bayou City. Houston is also home to his mother and father, sister, brother-in-law, nephew and countless friends.

Nantz was excited that his network would broadcast the Super Bowl from his former hometown but he was determined to do something special aside from his duties as anchor of CBS’s coverage of the big game which would beam to well over 150 million people.

Nantz had anchored Olympics on CBS and he thought that the one thing that the Super Bowl was missing was an opening ceremony.

Nantz called his good friend and fellow Houstonian, the 41st President of the United States and asked if he would be a part of his dream. President George Bush agreed to join Nantz as Honorary Chairman and "41" dubbed it, A Houston Salute.

Nantz contacted Houston Texans owner Bob McNair who offered up his full support. After some discussions between Nantz and Commissioner Tagliabue, A Houston Salute and Nantz’s dream "had aligned with the stars" and began to become a reality.

Nantz also contacted his friend Yanni and the international performing and recording star offered his services and his magnificent 27-piece orchestra for free.

Nantz conceived an elaborate and moving opening ceremony for Houston’s first Super Bowl in 30-years. Intertwined with Yanni’s incredible music would be emotional video tributes as Houston would receive the NFL by presenting its rich sports heritage of superstar athletes as Ambassadors to welcome the NFL and the Super Bowl to Houston.

The Ambassadors or Houston Sports Legends were to take part in a football relay of sorts as the actual ball that would kick-off Super Bowl XXXVIII passed through the hands of the greatest sports legends in Houston’s history. From Earl Campbell to Bum Phillips to Mike Munchak to Bruce Matthews to Andre Ware to Hakeem Olajuwon to Clyde Drexler to Guy Lewis to Elvin Hayes to Moses Malone to Carl Lewis to Leroy Burrell to Nolan Ryan to Roger Clemens to Andy Pettitte to Jeff Bagwell to Mary Lou Retton to George Foreman to Fred Couples to AJ Foyt to President Bush and finally to Commissioner Tagliabue.

However, as Nantz’s dream began to become a reality it also began to morph into a monumental event that was bigger than anyone could have imagined. Nantz needed help and he needed help badly.

Nantz turned to a first class team of experienced professionals and among that team was longtime friend Chris Begala of BEGALA CONSULTING. Nantz asked Begala to manage all media related activities as well as produce the video tributes for the event.

RESULT?

A Houston Salute was an overwhelming success and drew rave reviews from the former President, the NFL Commissioner, NFL Head Coaches, local & national media, sports legends and many more.

BEGALA CONSULTING managed all media activity and conceived the media strategy which Jim Nantz said helped make the event "a magical evening and one of the most memorable nights in the history of the city of Houston."

BEGALA CONSULTING oversaw a small army of nearly 500 media which had assembled from all over the world as 23 television trucks and countless radio stations broadcasted live. Hundreds of print journalists and still photographers reported on the event from the moment guests arrived and strode upon the glamorous red carpet to the emotional and ceremonial ending.

The media coverage was incredible as the event was so successful that it is being mentioned as one of the most significant events in Houston’s history.

The NFL Network negotiated successfully for the rights to A Houston Salute and broadcast the event to a national audience on the eve of Super Bowl XXXVIII.

President Bush commented that "this was indeed a special night for Houston and one that we’ll always remember."

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was still praising A Houston Salute – Official Opening Ceremony for Super Bowl XXXVIII two days after the event. "Everywhere I’ve gone; people are still talking about Monday night (A Houston Salute)." Tagliabue added, "The night was made even more special because President Bush took part in that incredible event that people are going to remember for a long, long time."

Houstonian and baseball legend Roger Clemens commented, "This is so special. I’m glad we’re celebrating Houston."

Another baseball legend, Nolan Ryan said he felt like a fan. "You look at the list of names and it hits you how special it is. There are some special people here."

Former two-time Heavyweight Champion and Houston legend George Foreman said, "Its one thing to be considered a world champion, but to be honored in your hometown and take part in the opening ceremony of Super Bowl XXXVIII is really special."