Country Star Toby Keith Named Honorary Chair of Ford Fantasy Football Post-Season League

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 17 -- Adding a super-tough element to its post-season fantasy league, Ford has enlisted country music maverick Toby Keith as honorary chair of its Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football World Championship.

For his first order of business as honorary chair, Keith will compete as a celebrity owner in the largest post-season league in fantasy football history. Playing against champions of seven major fantasy leagues and two "at large" sweepstakes winners, Keith faces considerable competition from around the world. He is, however, a self-admitted fantasy football fanatic who regularly follows the game despite his hectic recording and touring schedule.

"This new fantasy league really rocks because not only does it give football fans like me the opportunity to extend their season, but a chance to win an awesome truck," said Keith. "I already got mine, so I can safely say the grand prize ... a 2005 Ford Super Duty pickup, is one-helluva ride for the winner."

Keith's passion for the pigskin has extended beyond virtual football and even has translated to the gridiron itself. Prior to his country music career explosion, the Oklahoma native played two seasons for the Oklahoma City Drillers, a semipro team affiliated with the USFL.

Toby's most recent studio album, Shock 'n Y'all is four-time platinum, and his latest single "Stays in Mexico" from his new album Toby Keith Greatest Hits 2 is currently in the top 10 after becoming the highest debuting single of his career. The new album was released this week and features tracks "How Do You Like Me Now?!," "Country Comes To Town," "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This," "I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight," "I Wanna Talk About Me," "My List," "Courtesy Of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)," "Who's Your Daddy?," "Beer For My Horses (with Willie Nelson)," "Stays In Mexico," "You Ain't Much Fun (live)" and "Should've Been A Cowboy (live)."

Keith remains a highly respected musician and songwriter. Willie Nelson has included a version of the Keith-penned "Tired" on his new album, out in October. Rolling Stone magazine recently called the track a "heartbreaking cover." Keith recently drew more than 40,000 screaming fans to the first show of his blockbuster "Big Throwdown" tour, making it the largest crowd at a country music show in North America this year. And the reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year also recently received two American Music Awards for Favorite Country Male Artist and Favorite Country Album and his AOL Music Live concert, the first from a country music artist, drew in 850,000 downloads in the first 24 hours.

Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football World Championship

Powered by CBS.SportsLine.com, the Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football World Championship pits Keith against the league champions from CBS.SportsLine, Yahoo!Sports, SportingNews/Fox Sports, SI.com, Fanball.com, FantasyFootballMasters.com and the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF). Anyone entering the free league at FordFootball.com through November 30 will be entered automatically for a chance to grab one of two available "at large" spots to compete in the Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football World Championship. The overall winner of the post-season championship will receive a 2005 Ford Super Duty pickup.

Fans entering the free league at FordFootball.com will enjoy the Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football Bowl, a public version of the post-season challenge. Fantasy owners can choose to play in a league against a broad spectrum of fantasy players or in a private league among friends. The overall winner of the Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football Bowl will receive an automatic bid into next year's world championship sweepstakes.

Fans competing in the championship and public leagues will enjoy injury reports, fantasy 101, pre-ranked playoff performers based on last years post-season statistics, a mock draft and a feature called "Toby's Tips," which will offer updated analysis from honorary chair and celebrity owner Toby Keith.

The strategy involved in fantasy football has never been more compelling as owners draft their fantasy squad from a player pool of teams competing in the NFL playoffs. A successful strategy will require owners to choose top- performing players from the teams advancing furthest in the NFL post-season, especially as players from eliminated teams will be of little service.

"I'm going to have fun putting together my own team and winning come playoff time," said Keith.

2005 Ford Super Duty

The 2005 Ford Super Duty gives customers even more capability to get the job done -- delivering unsurpassed gas and diesel power, class-leading towing and payload ratings and useful new features that will make work easier and recreation time more enjoyable. The Super Duty has been featured all over the NFL this season.

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 327,000 employees worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003. For more information regarding the Built Ford Tough Fantasy Football Bowl, visit www.fordfootball.com .