Super Bowl goes to the dogs

New York, NY (Thursday, January 22, 2009) - All eyes will be on the players from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals when they take the field in Tampa on February 1 for in Super Bowl XLIII to determine the champion of the football world. Just eight days later at Madison Square Garden, attention will turn to the canine world as more than 2,500 dogs of all breeds and varieties will compete in the 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to see who will be this year's Best in Show.

David Frei, the longtime television voice and host of Westminster and its director of communications, is the only person with the credentials to credibly attribute the traits of man's best friend to these similarly purebred football players. Frei formerly held public relations positions with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers, and is the son of former Oregon head football coach and longtime NFL assistant Jerry Frei. Now widely known by millions as he celebrates his 20th anniversary hosting the live telecasts for USA Network, the younger Frei, 59, is a former dog breeder and exhibitor (Afghan Hounds and Brittanys), AKC licensed judge, and still wears a ring from Super Bowl XII.

Based on his unique knowledge of both sports, Frei offers the following Super Bowl Sunday primer (posted on www.westminsterkennelclub.org to America's football fans, an easy and familiar reference to the attributes of the star players they will see on February 1:

Pittsburgh Steelers"

Ben Roethlisberger - Border Collie: Leads (herds) his flock up and down the field, smart, athletic and intensely focused on the job at hand.

Hines Ward - Siberian Husky: Compact, athletic, smart, tough and tireless.

Troy Polamalu - Whippet: Feisty, prey-driven, fast, champion athlete of the dog world.

James Harrison - Anatolian Shepherd: Possessive and protective, territorial, athletic and agile.

James Farrior - Rottweiler: Powerful, intelligent, agile, intimidating, calm & courageous.

Justin Hartwig - Bullmastiff: "The Gamekeepers Night Dog" used to protect large estates and game preserves from poachers, knocks them down and stands over them until help arrives.


Arizona Cardinals:

Kurt Warner - German Shepherd: Intelligent and alert, alpha dog leader with even temperament and character

Larry Fitzgerald - Doberman Pinscher: Elegant athlete in a tight-fitting wrapper.

Anquan Boldin - Greyhound: Narrow body, big chest, sleek, powerful, athletic and fast.

Karlos Dansby - Bloodhound: Noble and dignified with a single purpose: to track down humans (in this case, anyone with the football).

Adrian Wilson - Airedale: "King of the Terriers," perhaps the best hunting dog in the world, goes and gets them all (interceptions and anyone with the football). Versatile and athletic.

Levi Brown - Komondor: Intelligent and protective, imposing strength and courageous demeanor.