Spike TV's 'Pros Vs Joes 4: All Stars' Features Adam Jones, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Brown, Simeon Rice, Priest Holmes, Steve Francis, Rich Gannon, Glen Rice, Steve McNair, Robert Horry, Antoine Walker and Shawn Kemp
Fourth Season Of Spike TV's Hit Series, Hosted By Michael Strahan And Jay Glazer, Premieres Monday, April 27
NEW YORK, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike TV's new season of "Pros vs Joes," premiering Monday, April 27 at 11:00pm ET/PT will once again showcase some of the biggest and most talked-about sports figures of the last decade. The impressive roster for Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes 4: All Stars" includes gridiron greats: Adam Jones, Tim Brown, Simeon Rice, Priest Holmes, Steve McNair, Rich Gannon and hardwood heroes Alonzo Mourning, Robert Horry, Glen Rice, Antoine Walker, Shawn Kemp and Steve Francis. Hosted by Michael Strahan and Jay Glazer, each episode features regular guys competing against sports legends. The new season begins taping March 3 at Southwest Los Angeles College.
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The new twist this season is that there will be only one sport played in each episode instead of a variety of sports as in previous seasons. Each episode features three skills competitions and a three-on-three scrimmage pitting the Pros against the Joes. The sports this season will be football (4 episodes) and basketball (4 episodes).
Football Pros
TIM BROWN - Brown became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman trophy while playing at Notre Dame in 1987. "Touchdown Timmy" was a two-time All-American and finished his collegiate career with an astonishing school record of 5,024 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. Brown was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders with the 6th pick of the 1988 NFL Draft and in his first NFL season, he led the league in kickoff returns, return yards and yards per return average. He also led the NFL in punt returns in 1994 and receptions in 1997. He was voted to the Pro Bowl nine times during his 16 years with the Raiders, in 1988 and 1991 as a kick-returner, and in 1993-97, 1999 and 2001 as a receiver. Brown holds the NFL record for 10 consecutive seasons with at least 75 receptions, fame and success with the Raider's organization earned him the title, "Mr. Raider." Brown joined the Buccaneers for his final season in 2004 and retired with 14,934 receiving yards, the second-highest total in NFL history.
RICH GANNON - Gannon's lengthy career as an NFL quarterback spanned 18 seasons including stints with the Minnesota Vikings (1987-1992), Oakland Raiders (1999-2004), Kansas City Chiefs (1995-1998), Washington Redskins (1993) and New England Patriots where he began his NFL career on the practice squad in 1987. Gannon was a standout quarterback for the University of Delaware and was elected to the school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. Gannon was a four-time Pro-Bowl selection and the NFL MVP in 2002, leading the Raiders to Super Bowl XXVII. He currently holds NFL records for most 300+ yards per game in a season (10), completions in a non-overtime game (43) and single-game record for most consecutive completions (21).
PRIEST HOLMES - Holmes was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997 after playing college football at the University of Texas. After rushing for just over 2,000 yards in four seasons in Baltimore, including winning a title in Super Bowl XXV, Holmes experienced breakout success after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2001. During his seven-year career with the Chiefs, Holmes was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2002. Holmes sat out the 2006 season with a neck injury and after a brief comeback attempt in 2007, retired from the NFL.
ADAM JONES - Jones played last season for the Dallas Cowboys as cornerback and return specialist. He was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. During his second season with the Titans, he led the NFL in average punt return yardage with 12.9. He played college football at West Virginia where he was named first team All Big-East and honorable mention All-American his senior year.
STEVE McNAIR - Nicknamed "Air McNair," he was drafted by the Houston Oilers as the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft after a prolific quarterback career at Alcorn State University where he was an All American and Heisman Trophy finalist. McNair played 11 seasons with the Oilers/Tennessee Titans and was selected for the Pro Bowl three times and was the Co-AP NFL MVP in 2003. McNair led the Titans to their first- ever Super Bowl in 2000, losing a heart-breaker to the Rams 23-16. He spent his final two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, leading them to a division title and 13-3 record in 2006.
SIMEON RICE - Rice played college football at Illinois where he was a two-time All American and set the Big Ten Conference record for career sacks with 44.5. Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft, Rice tallied over 120 sacks in his career, playing for the Cardinals (1996-2000), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001-2006), Denver Broncos (2007), and Indianapolis Colts (2007). He earned three Pro Bowl selections, was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996, and won a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers.
Basketball Pros:
STEVE FRANCIS - Known as "Stevie Franchise," he spent one season with the University of Maryland in 1998 before declaring for the NBA draft following his junior year where he averaged 17 points per game. The second-team All-American and finalist for the Wooden and Naismith Player of the Year Awards, Francis was taken with the second overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies. Traded to the Houston Rockets following the draft, "Franchise" enjoyed a successful first NBA season. The explosive guard posted an average of 18 points per game and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Chicago Bulls power forward Elton Brand. During the course of his nine year career, the 6'3" Francis earned three all-star nods and finished runner up to Vince Carter during the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest.
ROBERT HORRY - Horry attended the University of Alabama where, during his four years, he was selected to the All-Southeast Conference, the SEC All-Defensive, and the SEC All-Academic teams. Starting 108 of the 133 games, Horry helped the Tide achieve three SEC tournament titles and two berths in the NCAA's Sweet 16 round. Horry shattered the schools record for career blocked shots (282). In the 1992 NBA Draft Horry was selected 11th overall by the Houston Rockets. "Big Shot Rob," as he became known, spent four seasons with them, helping them win the NBA Championship in 1994 and 1995. After a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns, Horry moved onto the Los Angeles Lakers in 1997 where he helped contribute to three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Following the 2002-03 season, Horry became a free agent and signed with the San Antonio Spurs. In 2005 and 2007 the Spurs were crowned NBA Champions, making Horry one of nine players to have won seven or more championships in the NBA.
SHAWN KEMP -The 17th overall selection of the NBA draft, Kemp entered the league at the young age of 19. With little to no fanfare at the time, Kemp soon cemented his legacy as one of the leagues fiercest, high-flyers and quickly became a fan favorite, earning the moniker of "Reign Man." With an electric combination of power and athleticism, Kemp teamed with Gary Payton to form one of the most lethal alley-oop combinations in NBA history. In the 95-96 NBA season, the duo helped lead Seattle to a franchise-high 64 wins and a spot in the NBA Finals against the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls. A five-time All-Star and three-time NBA All-Second team performer, Kemp spent parts of his 14-year career with four different franchises - Seattle Supersonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.
ALONZO MOURNING - A graduate of Georgetown University where he was one of the greatest centers in the history of the Big East conference, Mourning was selected second overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1992 NBA Draft and, over the course of a four-team 17-year career, left a similar mark on the NBA. Mourning's defensive intensity led him to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000 while playing for the Miami Heat. After winning a gold medal while representing the U.S. at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Mourning was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder which forced him to place his career on hold, retiring in November 2003. He was severely limited by his ailment until after he received a kidney transplant a month later. Mourning came out of retirement in the quest for that elusive NBA championship ring with Miami Heat in 2005-2006 as a backup to Shaquille O'Neal, and played a crucial role in spelling O'Neal and being a defensive specialist and finally helped bring that elusive title to Miami. Mourning retired in January 2009 as the all-time scoring leader in Miami Heat franchise history, most blocks per 48 minutes in NBA history, and one of a handful of players that possess both an NBA title and Olympic gold medal.
GLEN RICE - A standout player for the University of Michigan basketball team from 1985-1989, Rice led the Wolverines to the '89 NCAA Championship. During his team's tournament run, Rice tallied a record 184 points and earned Most Outstanding Player honors. He left Michigan as the school's all-time leading scorer (2,442), a record that still stands, and was selected 4th overall during the 1989 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. Over the course of his 15-year NBA career with the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, the sharpshooter earned 3 All-Star selections, 1 All-Star game MVP award and, in 2000, he teamed with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant to win an NBA Championship. Rice is currently 4th all-time in three pointers made.
ANTOINE WALKER - Walker gained national prominence in his sophomore year at the University of Kentucky as he was named All-SEC first team, All-SEC Tournament team, All-NCAA Regional team and was the starting forward on the Wildcats' 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship winning team. After his sophomore season he declared for the 1996 NBA Draft and was picked sixth overall by the Boston Celtics. In the 1996-1997 season, Walker made the All-Rookie first Team and led the team in scoring (17.5 ppg) and rebounds (9.0). During his seven years as a Celtic, he was named to three NBA All Star teams (1998, 2002, 2003) and formed a lethal one-two scoring punch with teammate Paul Pierce. Walker was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2003 where he played one season and later time on the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies.
"Pros vs. Joes 4: All Stars" is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts, Snickers, and Bud Light.
Sharon Levy and Tim Duffy are executives in charge of production for Spike TV. Visit Spike.com for full episodes of all of last season's shows in high definition, as well as clips and other extended footage. Spike.com will be hosting the same exclusive access and full episode content for "Pros vs. Joes 4: All Stars."
Utilizing their solid sports background and sterling track record of delivering high quality unscripted hits, A. Smith & Co. Productions' Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, ("Trading Spaces," "Hell's Kitchen") and Frank Stinton serve as executive producers of "Pros vs. Joes 4: All Stars" along with Michael Yudin, President of MY Entertainment and Joe Townley, COO of MY Entertainment. Townley is a veteran of sports television production and previously served as executive producer at MSG Network. Smith is CEO of A. Smith & Co., and helped launch the successful Fox Sports Net in the late 1990's as its Head of Programming and Production.
Spike TV is available in 97.7 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at www.spike.com/press.
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CONTACT: David Schwarz of Spike TV, +1-212-767-8639
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