FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - On Monday, Sept. 9, the New England Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2002 season premiere of Monday Night Football and what many fans are calling the most anticipated home game in the franchise's history. In addition to hosting the defending AFC Central Champions in a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game, Patriots fans will also revel in the pregame and halftime celebrations planned for the official Grand Opening of Gillette Stadium. Throughout the week, we will be announcing the pregame and halftime entertainment for Monday night. On Friday afternoon, the team will host a special unveiling at the stadium, that local media will have access to.
In preparation for the game and all the pregame festivities, we are encouraging fans to arrive extra early. Parking lots will open at 4:00 p.m. with stadium gates opening at 6:00 p.m., one hour earlier than usual. The pregame festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. with an in-stadium premiere of "3 Games to Glory," the NFL Films-produced, 90-minute DVD replaying each of the Patriots playoff games from last season. It is a must-see for any Patriots fan who wants to relive the excitement and all the action of the team's glorious run through the playoffs. The DVD features the call of Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti, who provide the call for nearly every postseason play, from the opening kickoff in the snow against the Raiders to Adam Vinatieri's game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired in New Orleans, giving the Patriots and their fans the franchise's first Super Bowl Championship.
The on-field pregame ceremonies are planned to kickoff at 8:30 p.m. Details of those events will be provided throughout the week.
