New York, NY, September 24, 2003 — This week’s Sports Illustrated highlights the sports scene in the state of Texas, marking the 11th of 50 state-specific sections to be published in the magazine as part of SI’s yearlong 50^th anniversary celebration.

Identifying high school football as a sports tradition unique to the state, the seven-page feature also includes an interview with President George W. Bush , who discusses the Aggies and Longhorns, his baseball experiences from Little League to the Rangers, and his childhood sports idol, Willie Mays. The section also features a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped Texas’s sports landscape.

The Texas edition will hit newsstands on Wednesday, September 23, 2003 . Newsstand copies in the Lone Star State will feature a cover-flap identifying the special Texas section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• In "Thank God It’s Friday," Jack McCallum describes the scene of high school football night in Texas, where the sport is as big as the state itself.
• In an interview with George W. Bush , the President offers his take on the Aggies and Horns, his baseball days as both a player and owner, and some of his favorite sports figures and writers.
• The Poll : Texans weighed in on their state’s sports scene in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:
• Favorite major league baseball team Texas Rangers (37%)
• Favorite NFL team Dallas Cowboys (45%)
• Favorite NBA team Dallas Mavericks (35%)
• Favorite NHL team Dallas Stars (50%)
• Favorite sport to watch on TV Football (78%)
• State’s biggest rivalry Texas — Texas A&M (56%)

• Enemy of the State : Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, received 32% of this vote beating out Bud Adams (14%) and Shaquille O’Neal (7%) for Texas’s biggest sports villain title. The Lone Star State’s most hated team? The Oklahoma Sooners (34%). Of note, Jerry Jones was also named an "Enemy of the State" in Delaware (No. 1) and Pennsylvania (No. 3).
• Greatest Moment — Editor’s pick : The Dec. 6, 1969 football game between No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Arkansas, which was billed as the Big Shootout and later became known as the Game of the Century. The Longhorns edged the Razorbacks 15-14 on a fourth-quarter touchdown. Four weeks later Texas beat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl to officially earn the national title.

SI’s 50^th Anniversary program, America’s Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports , is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort, which began in July 2003 and continues through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated’s 50^th Anniversary Tour that will travel to unique sports events in cities and towns throughout the country. SI’s actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Starter and Best Buy are program sponsors.