Jan 24, 2003/ FW -- Two Super Bowl-bound stars put their pigskin practice on hold to complete a calcium-packed pass in the name of good nutrition.

In one of their only pre-game Super Bowl appearances together, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Brad Johnson and Oakland Raiders' Rich Gannon worked together off the field to star in a pre-game Milk Mustache ad which debuts for the first and only time in the January 24, 2003 issue of USA TODAY.

The ad, which reads, "We'll take all the protection we can get. Nine essential nutrients. One big game." showcases how drinking milk can help football fans stay healthy while enjoying their favorite sport.

Milk provides important nutrients like calcium and protein that help keep bones and muscles strong.

And thanks to the variety of milk flavors available today, all of which contain milk's nine essential nutrients, Americans have more choices than ever to help them reach optimal health.

The world championship title and Lombardi trophy are within the grasp of Johnson and Gannon, but another special milk mustache is right under their noses. Sunday's big winner will also appear in his own milk mustache ad, which will debut on January 27, 2003 in USA TODAY and in the February 3, 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated as well as the February 17, 2003 issue of ESPN Magazine.

Take it to the End Zone with Milk

"Milk contains a variety of essential nutrients including potassium and niacin, which are important if you're physically active like Johnson and Gannon. The milk industry is proud to pair these two world-class athletes to exemplify the importance of drinking milk," said Kurt Graetzer, CEO of the "got milk?"®/Milk Mustache campaign. "Drinking enough milk each day helps provide active people with all the calcium they need to help keep their bones strong for working out or bone-crushing contact sports like football."

Super Bowl XXXVII marks the sixth time rival Super Bowl stars have partnered together in a milk mustache ad to educate football fans about the importance of drinking calcium-rich milk. The National Academy of Sciences recommends teens get at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day. Portable containers in flavors like mocha, cappuccino and vanilla score big with athletes and are easy to take for a post-practice nutrient boost.

For more information on the benefits of drinking milk and the "got milk?"®/Milk Mustache campaign, log on to www.whymilk.com.