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CNN Sunday Morning

Super Bowl Preview; Interview With Paul Tagliabue

Aired February 06, 2005 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It is down to two teams and more than 80,000 fans counting the hours until the big game.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, the excitement. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is Super Bowl Sunday, February 6th. Good morning everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris, 9:00 a.m. in Jacksonville, 6:00 a.m. in San Francisco.

Let's check what else is going on this morning now with the news.

Pope John Paul II gives his weekly blessing today from a window of Gemelli Hospital in Rome. An archbishop read the pope's Sunday message. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday when he suffered breathing problems that may have been brought on by the flu.

Iran hits back, the foreign minister in Tehran says President Bush has no right to lecture Iran about supporting terrorists. Iran says the U.S. supports what it calls Zionist terrorists and runs military prisons where detainees are tortured.

Indonesia reports its death toll has reached 113,000 in the Indian Ocean tsunami. That's 1,800 more deaths than was previously reported. Nearly 128,000 Indonesians are missing. Those still missing on December 26th, one year after the tsunami, will be pronounced dead.

NGUYEN: Here's what we've got coming up for you on this Sunday.

The commissioner speaks, Paul Tagliabue of the NFL rarely gives an interview but this morning you will see him right here on CNN. That is coming up.

Plus, he volunteered to fight in wars. Now he wants no more of it. It's a "Soldier's Story" you don't want to miss.

And, this teen had a huge burden to bear, a seemingly uncontrollable weight problem and she's not alone. We'll show you what some teens are doing to fight the fat.

HARRIS: "The New York Times" has been really super. At times it's been a super snoozer but there's no denying the Super Bowl broadcast draws millions around the world.

One of those pairs of eyes is CNN Sports Larry Smith live in Jacksonville and, Larry, Betty has been doing the Ray Lewis call here, the pre-game call, so I guess we're pretty pumped up for football but we've got to wait a few hours. You should have seen that.

NGUYEN: Don't believe him, Larry.

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Nine hours until kickoff and already we're seeing some vans out and about, everyone getting excited. It is a big day in the U.S. and all over the world, Super Bowl XXXIX, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

You know these two franchises similar in the fact that they're enjoying perhaps their greatest success under their current ownership. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has this team now in its first Super Bowl in 24 years, after reaching the NFC title game four years in a row.

While Robert Kraft has taken this once struggling Patriots franchise and molded them into what is now perhaps the model franchise in the National Football League. If they get a win tonight over Philadelphia, a third win, third championship in four years, that's happened only once before in the Super Bowl era.

Now the city of Jacksonville is hosting the Super Bowl for the first time ever and fans have been festive all week, despite the chillier than normal temperatures. Thousands of fans wandering along both sides of the river, the St. John's River along the river walk taking in parties and different festivals and enjoying a drink and some food, lots of music.

It's been very festive and, once again, they're already out this morning as they pass by our spot here chanting out "Eagles" or "Patriots" whatever team that they are rooting for.

Let's get to some of the players now. This is the day that Terrell Owens has waited his entire career for and certainly seven weeks since he broke his right leg. The Philadelphia Eagles all-pro receiver has been saying that he is going to play in this game almost since the day that he was injured and certainly enough says he is spiritually healed.

And, while there's no official word that he's going to play tonight or how much he is going to play, certainly all indications are that he will be on the field, Terrell Owens the Pro Bowl wide receiver, the first time ever that he has been in a Pro Bowl in his ten-year career, five times a Pro Bowler.

Now, certainly he is key for the Eagles, as they try to attack this New England defense, which has been a puzzle now for eight consecutive post season opponents. The Patriots' defense already in this post season has confused NFL league most valuable player Peyton Manning and the Pittsburgh star rookie quarterback Ben Rothlisberger.

And now they will try to do the same to Donovan McNabb, the outstanding athlete, quarterback now for the Philadelphia Eagles, who is enjoying his best season so far, a running quarterback who has now developed into an outstanding passer as well.

Eagles and Patriot, the game tonight, let's go back to you guys.

HARRIS: Boy, that is going to be good. All right, Larry, enjoy yourself. We appreciate it.

NGUYEN: Well, the Super Bowl will be filled with fun, excitement and tight security no doubt. Surveillance planes will track all aircraft within a 250-mile radius from Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.

Dozens of high tech cameras are also positioned to zoom in on people throughout the stadium. More than 50 law enforcement agencies are teaming up for this massive security effort.

And you want to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

HARRIS: And a shift in focus now to some disturbing child abuse allegations. A Huntsville, Alabama mother has been charged with capital murder in the deaths of her three children. The 33-year-old woman told authorities she deliberately starved her children but autopsies will officially determine how and when they died. The children were ages eight, nine and eleven.

And Utah authorities say they may know tomorrow or Tuesday when a Florida couple will be returned home to face child abuse charges. Linda and John Dollar are accused of starving and physically torturing five of their seven adopted children. The Dollars were caught Friday in Utah when police noticed their car.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. ALAN FREESTONE, SAN JUAN CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: The suspect vehicle pulled right over and our decision was to exit the patrol vehicle almost before it stopped, had the Dollars out with their hands on the vehicle, asked them to identify themselves. They identified themselves as John and Linda Dollar and they were placed under arrest for warrants out of Florida.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Investigators say the children were subjected to electric shocks and having their toenails yanked out.

NGUYEN: Now, to a bombshell of a bust in Miramar, Florida. Police have broken up what appears to be a drug ring at a local fire department. Arlene Rodriguez of affiliate WPLG has the shocking details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARLENE RODRIGUEZ, WPLG CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tonight, a firestorm of controversy in Miramar after two high-ranking Miramar firefighters are arrested for dealing and using club drug ecstasy pills, like these.

Federal officials say a tip led them to the Davie home of Lieutenant Carey Kovacs. They say the 29-year-old later admitted to dealing Ex out of his home in this gated subdivision where he would throw great parties and they say that's not the only drug they found.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: DEA agents located approximately 40 tablets of MDMA, personally used cocaine, steroids and some prescription medicine.

RODRIGUEZ: Lieutenant Kovacs' roommate, 33-year-old Charles Dixon was also arrested and charged with trafficking prescription pain medication. The investigation then led agents to this gated Miramar subdivision where 37-year-old Valentin Sorbovin (ph), a captain with the department for 15 years, was arrested for possession of 20 ecstasy tablet. Fire Chief James Hunt.

JAMES HUNT, MIRAMAR FIRE CHIEF: We have many good firefighters in the city of Miramar that do not tolerate this and do not use this. It's a shame that some did.

RODRIGUEZ: But the controversy doesn't end here. The feds say Lieutenant Kovacs admitted to routinely selling ecstasy to at least seven other Miramar firefighters.

HUNT: We've got a list that they're going to give us and we hope to talk to them and, as soon as we find out everybody's name, they'll be suspended with pay pending investigation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And we will keep watching this story and let you know if there are any significant new developments -- Tony.

HARRIS: And Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Israel, arriving about an hour ago from Turkey and scheduled to meet this evening with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

CNN's Guy Raz joins us live from Jerusalem with the details -- hi, Guy.

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, Condoleezza Rice isn't expected to make any strong declarations during the coming two days. This visit is really about re-introductions and to a certain degree platitudes. The Bush administration essentially wants to express its confidence in the new Palestinian leadership.

Now, both sides, both the Israelis and the Palestinians know Condoleezza Rice very well. She's been in and out of the region several times over the past several years but neither side really knows the extent to which the Bush administration wants to now re- engage in the Middle East peace process.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm quite sure that as this process moves forward that we will get support to have the United States be in the forefront of helping the Palestinian people to build the institutions of democracy, to reconstruct areas that are -- from which the Israelis will withdraw because it will be an important element of an overall program. (END VIDEO CLIP)

RAZ: Now, Tony, no one is expecting any miracles to come out of this trip. Condoleezza Rice joins a long list of U.S. envoys who have come to the region trying to resolve this crisis, often with little success.

Now she'll hear two very different pitches from Israelis and Palestinians. Palestinians will essentially say "We've tried confidence building measures. We've tried interim steps with the Israelis. They simply haven't worked." It gives an extremist veto power over the peace process.

Palestinians want to go right to the heart of final status talks that would bring about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The Israelis prefer a slower approach. They don't want to jump right into final status talks and that's what they'll be trying to encourage Condoleezza Rice of as well -- Tony.

HARRIS: And, Guy, just a couple of thoughts. Is this also an opportunity for Condoleezza Rice to meet and greet and make herself known to the players, all the players in that region, particularly ahead of the summit talks in Egypt on Tuesday or is it Wednesday?

RAZ: Those summit talks begin on Tuesday in Sharm El Sheikh. Of course this is the first time that the Israeli leader, Ariel Sharon, will be meeting with his new Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. It's the first time in two years these two leaders will meet, so certainly a landmark summit.

Condoleezza Rice won't be attending. Essentially she's saying that she would prefer the parties to begin working it out but there's no question that this trip is designed to send at least an initial message that the Bush administration wants to underline its pledge that it will take part in this process, not only by expressing confidence in the new Palestinian leadership but also the speculation that she may sort of revive a U.S. Middle East envoy, a permanent envoy to come back here, spend time here and try to bring these two parties together -- Tony.

HARRIS: Very good, Guy Raz in Jerusalem for us this morning, Guy thank you.

NGUYEN: Well, it is Super Bowl Sunday and we are talking to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, the man in charge of the $6 billion football empire and Rick Horrow joins us with that live in Jacksonville with that one-on-one. Look, he's always got to brag, doesn't he? We'll be talking with him shortly.

Plus, we are also asking you, looking forward to your thoughts about the game. Are you looking forward to the game itself or just the commercials? Send us what you think to wam@cnn.com.

And we do want to say a good morning Jacksonville where the good times will roll today. Jacqui Jeras joins us with your game day forecast. That is all ahead this hour. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Viva Las Vegas, why Sin City is so hot when it comes to real estate and how all this popular property is affecting the ordinary Nevada homeowner, that's coming up at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on "CNN LIVE SUNDAY."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

NGUYEN: Also in today's "Soldier's Story," Kevin Benderman served in the U.S. Army for ten years. Now, just before his second deployment to Iraq, he says he doesn't want to fight. We'll ask him why? That's coming up in 15 minutes on CNN SUNDAY MORNING -- Tony.

HARRIS: In Jacksonville, Florida it is a super day for a Super Bowl and now CNN has got a super interview, a rare one-on-one with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Joining us now from the host city is CNN Sports Business Analyst Rick Horrow. Boy, big-timer, you reeled in the big fish this morning, didn't you?

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Well, first of all, I appreciate your invitation. I'm not in Jacksonville, so I'm not able to come to your generous invitation to your Super Bowl party at your house -- oh, you didn't invite me, sorry.

HARRIS: I'm sorry, you're breaking up. What was that Rick, you're breaking...

HORROW: Yes. Never mind.

The celebration of the Super Bowl Sunday is what America is all about but the business of the NFL has been celebrated for the last ten days here in Jacksonville and I've got the numbers to prove it.

When you look at 1967 Super Bowl I, L.A. Coliseum, Packers and Chiefs, compared to this year's deal, 30 seconds ad by the way, Tony, $42,500, $2.4 million today. U.S. viewers about 24 million of them in '67, nearly 100 million today, $6 face ticket price in '67. You could even afford that, Tony, $600 today. NFL business revenues on an annual basis, $700 million '67, $6 billion annual today.

Now, the architect of that strategy largely is Commissioner Tagliabue and I've known him and worked with him for about 15 years, lucky enough to know that he has his press conference, news conference, state of the NFL every year about this time. I caught up with him Friday for a one-on-one interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL TAGLIABUE, NFL COMMISSIONER: The reason we're here has to do with two things. First of all is the tremendous support for football here in Jacksonville. It's a great football community that has played an important role in high school football, college football and pro football for many, many decades.

HORROW: Why is the business structure of the NFL with the salary cap and revenue sharing so good for the players and the fans (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for the sport?

TAGLIABUE: Well, it gives us 32 games that really have a chance to compete and to compete effectively. You need the resources to pay the players, coaches, other resources and by having kind of a safety net of revenue sharing, coupled with some league subsidies for (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it's really given us a competitive system and it's the predicate for the agreement with the Players Association because they can only agree to that every club will spend to an average revenue level if everyone is within a certain reasonably narrow range.

Here in a city connected by bridges, we say that this Super Bowl is about building bridges, including a bridge to our small town roots, to the values of our game and to the passion for football in towns of all sizes throughout America.

HORROW: Commissioner, we're all worried about business growth. What do you think are the top couple of growth challenges for the league as we go forward?

TAGLIABUE: Well, I think there are a number of opportunities. One would be continuing to build some new stadiums, renovating some stadiums, doing all of the things that you can do when you have a stadium in terms of ancillary activities, youth football, other events.

But I think the media, digital media, digital technology, wireless, all of those areas will continue to grow as consumers expect to be able to watch television on a cell phone or on a wireless device of some type.

And then I think you'll have more consumer definition of what they want to watch. It will be interactive. They'll be able to call it up at their beck and call, at their time, rather than just having something programmed where you have to go to the TV set and watch it at someone else's time.

HORROW: Great. I just turned 50 today and I expect to watch the NFL for the next 50-plus years, so thank you.

TAGLIABUE: I think you'll have a lot of good opportunities.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HORROW: All right. Now let's get it on as far as the game is concerned. You go first with you prediction so you can redeem yourself in front of a national television audience my friend.

HARRIS: All right. I'm going to go with the Philadelphia Eagles. No, no I'm not. I was just... HORROW: You're not.

HARRIS: Boy, where was the camera on your face when I did that? Oh, I would have paid for that. No, I'm going to go with New England over the Eagles 20-17 and the reason is, very quickly the reason is I've got some friends in Philadelphia. If the Eagles win this thing, I will never, ever hear the end of it. So, I'm going to go with New England principally because I think they're the better team. What about you?

HORROW: Well, that's a typical Tony Harris irrelevant reason. It's going to be nervousness in the first half, a couple of uncharacteristic things like turnovers.

HARRIS: Are you kidding me?

HORROW: Last minute Philadelphia Eagle drive and a game winning David Akers field goal as time expires, Eagles 24, Patriots 21, you heard it here.

HARRIS: The score is fine. Flip it around. It's a Vinatieri field goal to win it. Good to see you my friend. You did a good job down there.

HORROW: Thank you, my friend. I'll talk to you next week.

HARRIS: OK, take care.

NGUYEN: Rick going with the Eagles, OK. We'll see how it shakes out.

In the meantime, fighting the fat, one 14-year-old's struggle to lose weight and live like a normal teenager. Her story coming up.

HARRIS: But first, a "CNN Extra" all bets are on for the big game and it will be decided later today. The Eagles, the Patriots, the governor of the state of the losing team will have to travel to the other team's state and sing the Star Spangled Banner. It will happen at one of the NBA match-ups between the Celtics and the 76ers. Now the loser will also have to hit the high note wearing the rival city's jersey.

Here's the deal. The original offer from Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Philly cheese steaks was turned down by Massachusetts Mitt Romney. Romney said they're just too high in fat but boy are they good.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Yes, well good morning New Orleans, as they like to call it down there. Look at the Super Dome and you know the city is celebrating Mardi Gras this week. That Tuesday is just a couple of days away and Jacqui Jeras will have your forecast in about two minutes.

HARRIS: And now for a check of some of the other stories in the news around the world.

NGUYEN: For that we want to go to Anand Naidoo at the CNN International desk, good morning to you.

And a very good morning to you. Checking stories, other stories from around the world and first off we go to Tehran.

Washington has been getting pretty tough on Iran in the past few days. Now we're getting the first reaction from Tehran. An Iranian foreign ministry officials says the White House has no authority to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism while the U.S. supports what he terms Zionist terrorists. The spokesman accuses Washington of running military prisons that use torture.

Millions of Iranians plan to take to the streets later this week for demonstrations in support of their government. And it's worth noting that Iranian statement is a direct rebuttal to comments that President Bush made in his State of the Union speech last Wednesday.

Turning now to Iraq and the aftermath of last Sunday's historic election, final results are not expected for days but we're already hearing that hard line Shiite clerics want a constitution based on Islamic principles. "The New York Times" reports Shiite religious leaders want issues like marriage, divorce and inheritances to fall under Sharia or Quranic law.

It's worth noting that the final makeup of that Iraqi parliament is far from a done deal. There's going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing going on in the next few days as results come out. So, still a ways to go over there.

Now, an update on that air crash in Afghanistan, rescue workers still can't get to the crash site where the airliner crashed because of bad weather and we've just got the first pictures from the crash site.

We got them within the last hour. There were 104 people onboard, including at least three Americans, although some reports say up to six U.S. citizens could have been on that plane. The plane went down on Thursday near the capital Kabul. Military officials say it's highly unlikely that there will be any survivors.

That's all from the international desk for now. Back with more as it happens. I'm Anand Naidoo -- back to Betty and Tony.

HARRIS: OK, Anand, thank you.

NGUYEN: Well, let's talk a little weather right now. It is Super Bowl Sunday, so Jacqui the pressure is on.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

HARRIS: Jacqui, thank you. Now, who walked home with an actor last night? We'll tell you the winners of the Screen Actor's Guild Awards.

NGUYEN: Don't leave it open like that, Tony.

HARRIS: That was the problem, wasn't it? NGUYEN: We've got the story coming up. Stay with us.

HARRIS: A potential disaster.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Glad you could be with us on Super Bowl Sunday. Welcome back everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: You feel the excitement in the air.

HARRIS: Definitely.

NGUYEN: I'm Betty Nguyen. That story is coming up on the Super Bowl. But first here's what's happening right now in the news.

In Rome, Pope John Paul II appears at his hospital room window to give his Sunday blessing tot he faithful. In a message read by an archbishop, John Paul thank the faithful for their prayers after his latest health set back. The pope is recovering from a respiratory infection.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has left Turkey and arrived in Israel. It is the latest stop on her self described whirl wind trip through Europe and the Middle East.

She meets later today with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem. Monday she will meet with newly elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Iran responds to President Bush. He had called Iran the world's primary state sponsor of terror. Now a foreign ministry spokesman says Mr. Bush has no authority to criticize Iran while the U.S., as he puts it, supports Zionist terrorists and runs military prisons that use torture.

The president warned Iran against nuclear proliferation and human rights abuse in his State of the Union address.

And actors honor their own at the Screen Actors Guild awards last night in Los Angeles. It was a big love fest, shall we say, and CNN's entertainment, Sibila Vargas has all those details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a night for actors, by actors and about actors.

DOUG SAVANT, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: We'd like to use this award to ring the death knell to reality television.

VARGAS: The "Desperate Housewives" cast picked up actors statues for ensemble in a comedy series, while Terry Hatcher was recognized for her role in the show. TERRI HATCHER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES:" I came to Los Angeles as a dancing extra in "The Love Boat."

VARGAS: Tony Shalhoub and Geoffrey Rush were each honored with individual awards.

"Law and Order's" Jerry Orbach received the male actor in a drama series posthumously. His wife accepted the award.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How bittersweet, but it's still sweet.

VARGAS: "Alias" star, Jennifer Garner, picked up a statue for her dramatic role.

JENNIFER GARNER, "ALIAS:" We're so lucky to have this job. We have a blast.

VARGAS: And Glenn Close referred to a letter she got from Katharine Hepburn when accepting her award for female actor in a television or miniseries role.

GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I'm glad I persuaded when you were a mere child to join this terrible profession.

VARGAS: Quadruple nominee Jamie Foxx blew his lines not once...

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: Got a chance to view the...

VARGAS: ...but twice.

FOXX: ...nominated for...

VARGAS: The third was a charm.

FOXX: ...nominated for ensemble cast.

VARGAS (on camera): From the small screen to the big screen, it was a knockout night for two actors from "Million Dollar Baby."

JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: The Actor goes to Hilary Swank.

HILARY SWANK, ACTRESS, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" I am amazed, lucky, thankful, speechless and quite frankly stunned to be a working actor.

VARGAS: Hilary Swank was honored for female actor in a leading role, while her co-star, 67 year old Morgan Freeman, received a statue for actor in a supporting role.

MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" Who is the long tall stranger there? Maverick is his name.

VARGAS: The Screen Actors Guild recognized James Garner for a lifetime of achievements. While Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator" earned her a supporting award.

CATE BLANCHETT, ACTOR: I don't know where to begin. I'm overwhelmed.

VARGAS: Not as overwhelmed as the actors from "Sideways." They received outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles received yet another nod. He offered this sound advice.

FOXX: If you win or if you lose, keep walking in the same direction.

VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: So our coverage of the SAG Awards is one of the top hits at cnn.com this morning. Christina Park of the dot-com desk is back with us this morning to talk about that and some other popular stories at the dot-com desk.

Good morning, Christina.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Goood morning, Tony.

HARRIS: Good to see you.

PARK: Thank you so much. You click on cnn.com, don't you, every day?

HARRIS: Sure I do. Sure I do.

PARK: Absolutely, well...

HARRIS: It's like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It's my home page.

PARK: Well, users like you and me are picking our most popular stories at cnn.com right now. And to find them, all you need to do is long on to cnn.com and pick on most popular, you see on the right hand side of your screen.

This morning we see our viewers are waking up to news from Tinseltown. The Screen Actors Guild Awards story is at the top of cnn.com and we've got the complete list of SAG winners and losers on our Web site as well as our fashion forward gallery where you can check out what the stars wore on the red carpet. They clean up pretty well, don't they?

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

PARK: On cnn.com's most popular viewers are also super excited about tonight's game. One of our top 10 most popular stories takes a high tech look at the Super Bowl and terrorism.

More than 80,000 fans better be ready for a close up tonight. Dozens of state of the art security cameras are in place. We're told the system can zero in, Tony, on a single seat or employee in virtually any section of the stadium. HARRIS: Harris?

PARK: Yes, better not pick your nose.

HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes.

PARK: That's what cnn.com users are clicking on right now. But you have to keep checking because the most popular stories are updated every 20 minutes.

HARRIS: Very good. That's a good heads up to me too, appreciate it. Thank you, Christina.

PARK: Thanks.

HARRIS: We're going to take you outside where Donald Rumsfeld is in Washington, D.C. making a tour of all the morning talk shows and he is talking to reporters now.

QUESTION: ...the draft, the permanent expansion of all of our volunteer force, longer enlistment periods?

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: We're certainly not going to have a draft. We don't need one. We have the ability to attract and retain the people we need in the military. We've enlarged the size of the Army, which is a good thing to do.

We're using Navy and Air Force personnel for ground functions like military police and truck drivers and various things that are more available than the limited number of Army people.

We're rebalancing the active with the reserve components, in a way that we will have more of the skill sets we need on active duty than we have in the past. So a whole host of steps have been taken to relieve stress on the force.

Good to see you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks folks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK, Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld there making the rounds of the morning talk shows and coming out in Washington, D.C. to talk to reporters and insisting again that there is no need at this time to reinstitute the draft.

NGUYEN: And he will be live on "LATE EDITION" with Wolf Blitzer at noon today so you want to stay tuned for that.

But in the meantime, if your child is dealing with excess weight at a young age, he or she could carry a heavy burden of health problems into adulthood.

Our Sara Dorsey takes on the issue of childhood obesity.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH EALEY, MOTHER: OK, Brittany, come on back.

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At only 14 years old...

D. EALEY: I know sweetie. Come on. How are you doing today?

DORSEY: ...Brittany Ealey carries a heavy burden.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This weight chart doesn't even have the weight increments that we need to plot Brittany. That is frightening. That is frightening.

DORSEY: The choice, lose some of her 312 pounds or face the likelihood of diabetes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're not tender around your neck at all?

BRITTANY EALEY: No.

DORSEY: Brittany already shows warning signs of the disease. The problem, doctors say, too much TV and junk food, not enough exercise.

B. EALEY: I feel heavy, out of shape, tired.

DORSEY (on camera): Sixteen percent of American children are overweight, and doctors say childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportion. Now though, some companies that cater to kids are taking action.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look out for hidden sugar.

DORSEY (voice-over): Nickelodeon is weaving healthy eating tips into its programming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But sugar also lurks in places you'd never expect, granola bars.

DORSEY: The network also faded to black for three hours in October for worldwide Day of Play, encouraging kids to get off the couch and outside.

Other companies have answered the call of consumer advocacy groups. Kraft has announced it will stop aiming advertising of products like Oreo and Kool-Aid towards kids 12 and under. The products won't come off the shelf, but the advertisements will be pulled from popular cartoon hours.

Through a class at their hospital, the Ealeys have had to relearn how to eat.

D. EALEY: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Kook-Aid that we usually buy. We're buying things like this now.

DORSEY: What was the most surprising thing?

B. EALEY: How much calories food has.

DORSEY: Brittany says if she only understood good nutrition earlier maybe she wouldn't be facing the hard task of fighting the fat.

D. EALEY: Cheers, happy eating.

DORSEY: Sara Dorsey, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Good lesson to be learned there.

Well, good morning Philadelphia. Are you ready for some football? Well, your Super Bowl forecast, that is coming up. CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Checking the Sunday top stories. The Vatican says he is getting better. And indeed, Pope John Paul II was able to give his weekly Sunday blessing from his hospital room window in Rome. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday for breathing problems.

Iran's foreign ministry says President Bush has no right to criticize that country for sponsoring terrorism. The statement says the U.S. supports what it calls a quote, "Zionist terrorist group and tortures detainees in military prisons."

And in case you didn't notice, it is Super Bowl Sunday. Upward of 100,000 fans have jammed Jacksonville, Florida to see the Eagles take on the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.

HARRIS: And to the latest news out of Iraq. This morning coalition forces report a U.S. Marine was killed in action in Babil province south of Baghdad. The Marine was killed Saturday. No details available.

Gunmen seized four Egyptian technicians this morning outside their house in western Baghdad. The four had been in Iraq for about a year working for a subsidiary of an Egyptian mobile phone company. No claim of responsibility yet for the abduction.

The bodies of eight Iraqi police commandos have been found near Abu Ghraib, about 20 miles west of Baghdad. Seven of the commandos had been shot in the head, the eighth was beheaded.

This morning soldier's story is about Sergeant Kevin Benderman. Sergeant Benderman has been in the Army off and on for about 10 years, but he now claims to be a conscientious objector and he refused to return to Iraq last month with his unit. Sergeant Benderman and his wife, Monica, join us now from Savannah, Georgia. Good morning to you both. Thanks for being on the show.

MONICA BENDERMAN, WIFE: Good morning.

SGT. KEVIN BENDERMAN, U.S. ARMY: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, Kevin, let's start with you. You enlisted at age 22, stayed in the military for four years then reenlisted at 35. Why did you go back?

K. BENDERMAN: Well at the time like that -- that I had not completed my service to my country and so I reenlisted in the military.

NGUYEN: All right. And then you went off to Iraq. Did you take part in live combat? What did you see there?

K. BENDERMAN: Well there were instances of us being fired upon in live combat. And the area that I was in on occasion there would be heavy fire, yes.

NGUYEN: Did you ever have to fire on anyone there in Iraq? Did you ever shoot your gun?

K. BENDERMAN: I did not personally, but people that was in the area that we were, yes they did.

NGUYEN: OK. So help us understand why you decided to file for conscientious objector. What was it that caused you to make that decision?

K. BENDERMAN: Well, after I got over there and I saw just how it affected the people that were taking part in war I felt that I could no longer participate.

It made -- the young people that are serving in the military it made them put aside what their basic humanity and it turned them into people that they normally would not be.

NGUYEN: As it anything specific that you saw that kind of caused you to say this is it, I'm done with it?

K. BENDERMAN: Well there was instances of me seeing mass grave sites and there was one young girl that I saw on the highway as we were moving north through the country, her arm was severely burned, third degree burned. It was -- seeing her standing there begging for help and not being able to help her it just -- that was part of it and seeing how it made our young people be it was just -- it was a combination of everything.

NGUYEN: In fact I have read that you wanted to help the little girl and offer her your kit.

K. BENDERMAN: Well, yes I did. I talked to the executive officer of the company that I was in at the time and told her that if we stopped I would give her my medical supplies in order to get her treatment.

NGUYEN: But you were denied that. Is that the case?

K. BENDERMAN: Well we were on a road march at the time, so yes it was denied.

NGUYEN: OK. So as we try to understand exactly what caused you to file and why you filed for conscientious objector, I think a -- some things come into play in the fact that you came back from Iraq, you were in the military still for one year, but it wasn't until less than two weeks before you were to be deployed in January when you made this filing. Why then?

K. BENDERMAN: Well, you have to make sure that what you are thinking and feeling is exactly what you want to do. You can't just make a snap decision on these kind of things. You have to think it through and...

NGUYEN: Well in thinking that through...

K. BENDERMAN: ...once.

NGUYEN: ...with all of these visions coming back and the emotions and what you felt, is it the case that maybe you're suffering from post traumatic stress disorder? Could that be it?

K. BENDERMAN: Well, no. A lot of people have asked me about post traumatic stress disorder and I don't feel that it is. I've been to see a military psychologist and they say that I am -- I checked out OK.

It's just the fact that what you see when you're in the war zone how it affects people and how they have to live, their homes are destroyed. They have no basic utilities and you see how it affects the young men and women that serve in the military, like I said, it makes them less than human the...

NGUYEN: But Sgt. Benderman, aren't those the horrors of war? Isn't that what you signed up to take part in?

K. BENDERMAN: Well yes I did sign up in the military and I'm not naive as to what the military's purpose is. But once you see more first hand it makes you realize just how insane it really is. Because you can't know until you've been there and you've experience it for yourself.

NGUYEN: Quickly I want to speak with your wife, Monica. You say you're behind your husband 100 percent. Are you fearful that he may have to serve some time in prison because of this.

M. BENDERMAN: I don't think there's fear. I think we knew going in what the consequences could be, but I think we believe -- I definitely believe in what he's doing. I know he does. I know it wasn't one of those short term quick decision things. It was something he thought about during his time in Iraq.

It was something he thought about for the year after his time in Iraq, and it was finally the ultimate decision, the only right decision that he could make.

NGUYEN: You understand why some people are questioning the timing of that because he didn't file until a couple of weeks before he was to be deployed?

M. BENDERMAN: Well, I think that's just the lack of awareness. You know, he's here, he's jumped into their lives now with his decision. But his life is going on from before he was in Iraq until this point and there was a long process.

There was a lot of though in his mind. There was a lot of talking with us. There were steps that were taken and there were things that were done from the military standpoint that affected this decision.

So, people aren't aware of that entire year and a half long process that got us to this point.

NGUYEN: All right. Sgt. Benderman, my last question to you actually is twofold. Do you think that you're going to prevail in this case and what kind of advice do you have for those serving in the military who may be questioning whether this is what they need to be doing as well?

M. BENDERMAN: Well yes, I believe that I do have a good chance to have a fair hearing on my conscientious objector package. And as far as any one else that is considering applying for conscientious objector they have to look within themselves to make sure that they make the right decision for them.

NGUYEN: All right. Sgt. Kevin Benderman and his wife Monica, we appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.

BENDERMAN: Thank you.

M. BENDERMAN: Thank you.

NGUYEN: And stay tuned for more CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We'll be right back after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And good morning Boston. Jacqui Jeras joins us in just a moment with your game time weather forecast.

NGUYEN: Our Kathleen Hays is in Washington for "ON THE STORY." Let's check in with her.

Good morning.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Once again we're on the story, from here in Washington to north of Baghdad to Rome and on to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville. We'll go to Iraq to talk to Jane Arraf about life after the election.

Our Vatican analyst, Delia Gallagher, has the latest on the pope's health. Susan Candiotti is on the security beat for the Super Bowl. And Candy Crowley, Suzanne Malveaux and I will all talk about what we've heard and did not hear about Social Security. That's all coming up ON THE STORY.

Betty, back to you.

NGUYEN: Looking forward to it. Thank you so much.

Well, all morning long we have been asking you our e-mail question of the day and that is are you going to be watching the game or the commercials?

HARRIS: You know what this might be that -- my favorite one of the morning. This is from Vick. Super Bowl Sunday, or any other day of the year, if this viewer discovers he's looking forward to a commercial, I'll beg CNN to dispatch a crew to swing over here and shovel some dirt on me because I'll know it's time to got.

Thank you, Vick.

NGUYEN: Well Bruce also has a sense of humor. Bruce says, what game? Nascar racing doesn't start 'til next week in Daytona.

HARRIS: There you go.

NGUYEN: We appreciate all of your responses this morning.

HARRIS: And very quickly, one more check of the game time forecast with Jacqui Jeras in the weather center.

Hi, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: That's it for us. Thank you for joining us this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: But we do expect to see you back here next weekend. Right now "On the Story" is next.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired February 6, 2005 - 09:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It is down to two teams and more than 80,000 fans counting the hours until the big game.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, the excitement. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is Super Bowl Sunday, February 6th. Good morning everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris, 9:00 a.m. in Jacksonville, 6:00 a.m. in San Francisco.

Let's check what else is going on this morning now with the news.

Pope John Paul II gives his weekly blessing today from a window of Gemelli Hospital in Rome. An archbishop read the pope's Sunday message. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday when he suffered breathing problems that may have been brought on by the flu.

Iran hits back, the foreign minister in Tehran says President Bush has no right to lecture Iran about supporting terrorists. Iran says the U.S. supports what it calls Zionist terrorists and runs military prisons where detainees are tortured.

Indonesia reports its death toll has reached 113,000 in the Indian Ocean tsunami. That's 1,800 more deaths than was previously reported. Nearly 128,000 Indonesians are missing. Those still missing on December 26th, one year after the tsunami, will be pronounced dead.

NGUYEN: Here's what we've got coming up for you on this Sunday.

The commissioner speaks, Paul Tagliabue of the NFL rarely gives an interview but this morning you will see him right here on CNN. That is coming up.

Plus, he volunteered to fight in wars. Now he wants no more of it. It's a "Soldier's Story" you don't want to miss.

And, this teen had a huge burden to bear, a seemingly uncontrollable weight problem and she's not alone. We'll show you what some teens are doing to fight the fat.

HARRIS: "The New York Times" has been really super. At times it's been a super snoozer but there's no denying the Super Bowl broadcast draws millions around the world.

One of those pairs of eyes is CNN Sports Larry Smith live in Jacksonville and, Larry, Betty has been doing the Ray Lewis call here, the pre-game call, so I guess we're pretty pumped up for football but we've got to wait a few hours. You should have seen that.

NGUYEN: Don't believe him, Larry.

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Nine hours until kickoff and already we're seeing some vans out and about, everyone getting excited. It is a big day in the U.S. and all over the world, Super Bowl XXXIX, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

You know these two franchises similar in the fact that they're enjoying perhaps their greatest success under their current ownership. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has this team now in its first Super Bowl in 24 years, after reaching the NFC title game four years in a row.

While Robert Kraft has taken this once struggling Patriots franchise and molded them into what is now perhaps the model franchise in the National Football League. If they get a win tonight over Philadelphia, a third win, third championship in four years, that's happened only once before in the Super Bowl era.

Now the city of Jacksonville is hosting the Super Bowl for the first time ever and fans have been festive all week, despite the chillier than normal temperatures. Thousands of fans wandering along both sides of the river, the St. John's River along the river walk taking in parties and different festivals and enjoying a drink and some food, lots of music.

It's been very festive and, once again, they're already out this morning as they pass by our spot here chanting out "Eagles" or "Patriots" whatever team that they are rooting for.

Let's get to some of the players now. This is the day that Terrell Owens has waited his entire career for and certainly seven weeks since he broke his right leg. The Philadelphia Eagles all-pro receiver has been saying that he is going to play in this game almost since the day that he was injured and certainly enough says he is spiritually healed.

And, while there's no official word that he's going to play tonight or how much he is going to play, certainly all indications are that he will be on the field, Terrell Owens the Pro Bowl wide receiver, the first time ever that he has been in a Pro Bowl in his ten-year career, five times a Pro Bowler.

Now, certainly he is key for the Eagles, as they try to attack this New England defense, which has been a puzzle now for eight consecutive post season opponents. The Patriots' defense already in this post season has confused NFL league most valuable player Peyton Manning and the Pittsburgh star rookie quarterback Ben Rothlisberger.

And now they will try to do the same to Donovan McNabb, the outstanding athlete, quarterback now for the Philadelphia Eagles, who is enjoying his best season so far, a running quarterback who has now developed into an outstanding passer as well.

Eagles and Patriot, the game tonight, let's go back to you guys.

HARRIS: Boy, that is going to be good. All right, Larry, enjoy yourself. We appreciate it.

NGUYEN: Well, the Super Bowl will be filled with fun, excitement and tight security no doubt. Surveillance planes will track all aircraft within a 250-mile radius from Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.

Dozens of high tech cameras are also positioned to zoom in on people throughout the stadium. More than 50 law enforcement agencies are teaming up for this massive security effort.

And you want to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

HARRIS: And a shift in focus now to some disturbing child abuse allegations. A Huntsville, Alabama mother has been charged with capital murder in the deaths of her three children. The 33-year-old woman told authorities she deliberately starved her children but autopsies will officially determine how and when they died. The children were ages eight, nine and eleven.

And Utah authorities say they may know tomorrow or Tuesday when a Florida couple will be returned home to face child abuse charges. Linda and John Dollar are accused of starving and physically torturing five of their seven adopted children. The Dollars were caught Friday in Utah when police noticed their car.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. ALAN FREESTONE, SAN JUAN CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: The suspect vehicle pulled right over and our decision was to exit the patrol vehicle almost before it stopped, had the Dollars out with their hands on the vehicle, asked them to identify themselves. They identified themselves as John and Linda Dollar and they were placed under arrest for warrants out of Florida.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Investigators say the children were subjected to electric shocks and having their toenails yanked out.

NGUYEN: Now, to a bombshell of a bust in Miramar, Florida. Police have broken up what appears to be a drug ring at a local fire department. Arlene Rodriguez of affiliate WPLG has the shocking details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARLENE RODRIGUEZ, WPLG CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tonight, a firestorm of controversy in Miramar after two high-ranking Miramar firefighters are arrested for dealing and using club drug ecstasy pills, like these.

Federal officials say a tip led them to the Davie home of Lieutenant Carey Kovacs. They say the 29-year-old later admitted to dealing Ex out of his home in this gated subdivision where he would throw great parties and they say that's not the only drug they found.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: DEA agents located approximately 40 tablets of MDMA, personally used cocaine, steroids and some prescription medicine.

RODRIGUEZ: Lieutenant Kovacs' roommate, 33-year-old Charles Dixon was also arrested and charged with trafficking prescription pain medication. The investigation then led agents to this gated Miramar subdivision where 37-year-old Valentin Sorbovin (ph), a captain with the department for 15 years, was arrested for possession of 20 ecstasy tablet. Fire Chief James Hunt.

JAMES HUNT, MIRAMAR FIRE CHIEF: We have many good firefighters in the city of Miramar that do not tolerate this and do not use this. It's a shame that some did.

RODRIGUEZ: But the controversy doesn't end here. The feds say Lieutenant Kovacs admitted to routinely selling ecstasy to at least seven other Miramar firefighters.

HUNT: We've got a list that they're going to give us and we hope to talk to them and, as soon as we find out everybody's name, they'll be suspended with pay pending investigation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And we will keep watching this story and let you know if there are any significant new developments -- Tony.

HARRIS: And Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Israel, arriving about an hour ago from Turkey and scheduled to meet this evening with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

CNN's Guy Raz joins us live from Jerusalem with the details -- hi, Guy.

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, Condoleezza Rice isn't expected to make any strong declarations during the coming two days. This visit is really about re-introductions and to a certain degree platitudes. The Bush administration essentially wants to express its confidence in the new Palestinian leadership.

Now, both sides, both the Israelis and the Palestinians know Condoleezza Rice very well. She's been in and out of the region several times over the past several years but neither side really knows the extent to which the Bush administration wants to now re- engage in the Middle East peace process.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm quite sure that as this process moves forward that we will get support to have the United States be in the forefront of helping the Palestinian people to build the institutions of democracy, to reconstruct areas that are -- from which the Israelis will withdraw because it will be an important element of an overall program. (END VIDEO CLIP)

RAZ: Now, Tony, no one is expecting any miracles to come out of this trip. Condoleezza Rice joins a long list of U.S. envoys who have come to the region trying to resolve this crisis, often with little success.

Now she'll hear two very different pitches from Israelis and Palestinians. Palestinians will essentially say "We've tried confidence building measures. We've tried interim steps with the Israelis. They simply haven't worked." It gives an extremist veto power over the peace process.

Palestinians want to go right to the heart of final status talks that would bring about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The Israelis prefer a slower approach. They don't want to jump right into final status talks and that's what they'll be trying to encourage Condoleezza Rice of as well -- Tony.

HARRIS: And, Guy, just a couple of thoughts. Is this also an opportunity for Condoleezza Rice to meet and greet and make herself known to the players, all the players in that region, particularly ahead of the summit talks in Egypt on Tuesday or is it Wednesday?

RAZ: Those summit talks begin on Tuesday in Sharm El Sheikh. Of course this is the first time that the Israeli leader, Ariel Sharon, will be meeting with his new Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. It's the first time in two years these two leaders will meet, so certainly a landmark summit.

Condoleezza Rice won't be attending. Essentially she's saying that she would prefer the parties to begin working it out but there's no question that this trip is designed to send at least an initial message that the Bush administration wants to underline its pledge that it will take part in this process, not only by expressing confidence in the new Palestinian leadership but also the speculation that she may sort of revive a U.S. Middle East envoy, a permanent envoy to come back here, spend time here and try to bring these two parties together -- Tony.

HARRIS: Very good, Guy Raz in Jerusalem for us this morning, Guy thank you.

NGUYEN: Well, it is Super Bowl Sunday and we are talking to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, the man in charge of the $6 billion football empire and Rick Horrow joins us with that live in Jacksonville with that one-on-one. Look, he's always got to brag, doesn't he? We'll be talking with him shortly.

Plus, we are also asking you, looking forward to your thoughts about the game. Are you looking forward to the game itself or just the commercials? Send us what you think to wam@cnn.com.

And we do want to say a good morning Jacksonville where the good times will roll today. Jacqui Jeras joins us with your game day forecast. That is all ahead this hour. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Viva Las Vegas, why Sin City is so hot when it comes to real estate and how all this popular property is affecting the ordinary Nevada homeowner, that's coming up at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on "CNN LIVE SUNDAY."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

NGUYEN: Also in today's "Soldier's Story," Kevin Benderman served in the U.S. Army for ten years. Now, just before his second deployment to Iraq, he says he doesn't want to fight. We'll ask him why? That's coming up in 15 minutes on CNN SUNDAY MORNING -- Tony.

HARRIS: In Jacksonville, Florida it is a super day for a Super Bowl and now CNN has got a super interview, a rare one-on-one with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Joining us now from the host city is CNN Sports Business Analyst Rick Horrow. Boy, big-timer, you reeled in the big fish this morning, didn't you?

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Well, first of all, I appreciate your invitation. I'm not in Jacksonville, so I'm not able to come to your generous invitation to your Super Bowl party at your house -- oh, you didn't invite me, sorry.

HARRIS: I'm sorry, you're breaking up. What was that Rick, you're breaking...

HORROW: Yes. Never mind.

The celebration of the Super Bowl Sunday is what America is all about but the business of the NFL has been celebrated for the last ten days here in Jacksonville and I've got the numbers to prove it.

When you look at 1967 Super Bowl I, L.A. Coliseum, Packers and Chiefs, compared to this year's deal, 30 seconds ad by the way, Tony, $42,500, $2.4 million today. U.S. viewers about 24 million of them in '67, nearly 100 million today, $6 face ticket price in '67. You could even afford that, Tony, $600 today. NFL business revenues on an annual basis, $700 million '67, $6 billion annual today.

Now, the architect of that strategy largely is Commissioner Tagliabue and I've known him and worked with him for about 15 years, lucky enough to know that he has his press conference, news conference, state of the NFL every year about this time. I caught up with him Friday for a one-on-one interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL TAGLIABUE, NFL COMMISSIONER: The reason we're here has to do with two things. First of all is the tremendous support for football here in Jacksonville. It's a great football community that has played an important role in high school football, college football and pro football for many, many decades.

HORROW: Why is the business structure of the NFL with the salary cap and revenue sharing so good for the players and the fans (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for the sport?

TAGLIABUE: Well, it gives us 32 games that really have a chance to compete and to compete effectively. You need the resources to pay the players, coaches, other resources and by having kind of a safety net of revenue sharing, coupled with some league subsidies for (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it's really given us a competitive system and it's the predicate for the agreement with the Players Association because they can only agree to that every club will spend to an average revenue level if everyone is within a certain reasonably narrow range.

Here in a city connected by bridges, we say that this Super Bowl is about building bridges, including a bridge to our small town roots, to the values of our game and to the passion for football in towns of all sizes throughout America.

HORROW: Commissioner, we're all worried about business growth. What do you think are the top couple of growth challenges for the league as we go forward?

TAGLIABUE: Well, I think there are a number of opportunities. One would be continuing to build some new stadiums, renovating some stadiums, doing all of the things that you can do when you have a stadium in terms of ancillary activities, youth football, other events.

But I think the media, digital media, digital technology, wireless, all of those areas will continue to grow as consumers expect to be able to watch television on a cell phone or on a wireless device of some type.

And then I think you'll have more consumer definition of what they want to watch. It will be interactive. They'll be able to call it up at their beck and call, at their time, rather than just having something programmed where you have to go to the TV set and watch it at someone else's time.

HORROW: Great. I just turned 50 today and I expect to watch the NFL for the next 50-plus years, so thank you.

TAGLIABUE: I think you'll have a lot of good opportunities.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HORROW: All right. Now let's get it on as far as the game is concerned. You go first with you prediction so you can redeem yourself in front of a national television audience my friend.

HARRIS: All right. I'm going to go with the Philadelphia Eagles. No, no I'm not. I was just... HORROW: You're not.

HARRIS: Boy, where was the camera on your face when I did that? Oh, I would have paid for that. No, I'm going to go with New England over the Eagles 20-17 and the reason is, very quickly the reason is I've got some friends in Philadelphia. If the Eagles win this thing, I will never, ever hear the end of it. So, I'm going to go with New England principally because I think they're the better team. What about you?

HORROW: Well, that's a typical Tony Harris irrelevant reason. It's going to be nervousness in the first half, a couple of uncharacteristic things like turnovers.

HARRIS: Are you kidding me?

HORROW: Last minute Philadelphia Eagle drive and a game winning David Akers field goal as time expires, Eagles 24, Patriots 21, you heard it here.

HARRIS: The score is fine. Flip it around. It's a Vinatieri field goal to win it. Good to see you my friend. You did a good job down there.

HORROW: Thank you, my friend. I'll talk to you next week.

HARRIS: OK, take care.

NGUYEN: Rick going with the Eagles, OK. We'll see how it shakes out.

In the meantime, fighting the fat, one 14-year-old's struggle to lose weight and live like a normal teenager. Her story coming up.

HARRIS: But first, a "CNN Extra" all bets are on for the big game and it will be decided later today. The Eagles, the Patriots, the governor of the state of the losing team will have to travel to the other team's state and sing the Star Spangled Banner. It will happen at one of the NBA match-ups between the Celtics and the 76ers. Now the loser will also have to hit the high note wearing the rival city's jersey.

Here's the deal. The original offer from Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Philly cheese steaks was turned down by Massachusetts Mitt Romney. Romney said they're just too high in fat but boy are they good.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Yes, well good morning New Orleans, as they like to call it down there. Look at the Super Dome and you know the city is celebrating Mardi Gras this week. That Tuesday is just a couple of days away and Jacqui Jeras will have your forecast in about two minutes.

HARRIS: And now for a check of some of the other stories in the news around the world.

NGUYEN: For that we want to go to Anand Naidoo at the CNN International desk, good morning to you.

And a very good morning to you. Checking stories, other stories from around the world and first off we go to Tehran.

Washington has been getting pretty tough on Iran in the past few days. Now we're getting the first reaction from Tehran. An Iranian foreign ministry officials says the White House has no authority to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism while the U.S. supports what he terms Zionist terrorists. The spokesman accuses Washington of running military prisons that use torture.

Millions of Iranians plan to take to the streets later this week for demonstrations in support of their government. And it's worth noting that Iranian statement is a direct rebuttal to comments that President Bush made in his State of the Union speech last Wednesday.

Turning now to Iraq and the aftermath of last Sunday's historic election, final results are not expected for days but we're already hearing that hard line Shiite clerics want a constitution based on Islamic principles. "The New York Times" reports Shiite religious leaders want issues like marriage, divorce and inheritances to fall under Sharia or Quranic law.

It's worth noting that the final makeup of that Iraqi parliament is far from a done deal. There's going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing going on in the next few days as results come out. So, still a ways to go over there.

Now, an update on that air crash in Afghanistan, rescue workers still can't get to the crash site where the airliner crashed because of bad weather and we've just got the first pictures from the crash site.

We got them within the last hour. There were 104 people onboard, including at least three Americans, although some reports say up to six U.S. citizens could have been on that plane. The plane went down on Thursday near the capital Kabul. Military officials say it's highly unlikely that there will be any survivors.

That's all from the international desk for now. Back with more as it happens. I'm Anand Naidoo -- back to Betty and Tony.

HARRIS: OK, Anand, thank you.

NGUYEN: Well, let's talk a little weather right now. It is Super Bowl Sunday, so Jacqui the pressure is on.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

HARRIS: Jacqui, thank you. Now, who walked home with an actor last night? We'll tell you the winners of the Screen Actor's Guild Awards.

NGUYEN: Don't leave it open like that, Tony.

HARRIS: That was the problem, wasn't it? NGUYEN: We've got the story coming up. Stay with us.

HARRIS: A potential disaster.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Glad you could be with us on Super Bowl Sunday. Welcome back everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: You feel the excitement in the air.

HARRIS: Definitely.

NGUYEN: I'm Betty Nguyen. That story is coming up on the Super Bowl. But first here's what's happening right now in the news.

In Rome, Pope John Paul II appears at his hospital room window to give his Sunday blessing tot he faithful. In a message read by an archbishop, John Paul thank the faithful for their prayers after his latest health set back. The pope is recovering from a respiratory infection.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has left Turkey and arrived in Israel. It is the latest stop on her self described whirl wind trip through Europe and the Middle East.

She meets later today with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem. Monday she will meet with newly elected Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Iran responds to President Bush. He had called Iran the world's primary state sponsor of terror. Now a foreign ministry spokesman says Mr. Bush has no authority to criticize Iran while the U.S., as he puts it, supports Zionist terrorists and runs military prisons that use torture.

The president warned Iran against nuclear proliferation and human rights abuse in his State of the Union address.

And actors honor their own at the Screen Actors Guild awards last night in Los Angeles. It was a big love fest, shall we say, and CNN's entertainment, Sibila Vargas has all those details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a night for actors, by actors and about actors.

DOUG SAVANT, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: We'd like to use this award to ring the death knell to reality television.

VARGAS: The "Desperate Housewives" cast picked up actors statues for ensemble in a comedy series, while Terry Hatcher was recognized for her role in the show. TERRI HATCHER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES:" I came to Los Angeles as a dancing extra in "The Love Boat."

VARGAS: Tony Shalhoub and Geoffrey Rush were each honored with individual awards.

"Law and Order's" Jerry Orbach received the male actor in a drama series posthumously. His wife accepted the award.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How bittersweet, but it's still sweet.

VARGAS: "Alias" star, Jennifer Garner, picked up a statue for her dramatic role.

JENNIFER GARNER, "ALIAS:" We're so lucky to have this job. We have a blast.

VARGAS: And Glenn Close referred to a letter she got from Katharine Hepburn when accepting her award for female actor in a television or miniseries role.

GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I'm glad I persuaded when you were a mere child to join this terrible profession.

VARGAS: Quadruple nominee Jamie Foxx blew his lines not once...

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: Got a chance to view the...

VARGAS: ...but twice.

FOXX: ...nominated for...

VARGAS: The third was a charm.

FOXX: ...nominated for ensemble cast.

VARGAS (on camera): From the small screen to the big screen, it was a knockout night for two actors from "Million Dollar Baby."

JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: The Actor goes to Hilary Swank.

HILARY SWANK, ACTRESS, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" I am amazed, lucky, thankful, speechless and quite frankly stunned to be a working actor.

VARGAS: Hilary Swank was honored for female actor in a leading role, while her co-star, 67 year old Morgan Freeman, received a statue for actor in a supporting role.

MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" Who is the long tall stranger there? Maverick is his name.

VARGAS: The Screen Actors Guild recognized James Garner for a lifetime of achievements. While Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator" earned her a supporting award.

CATE BLANCHETT, ACTOR: I don't know where to begin. I'm overwhelmed.

VARGAS: Not as overwhelmed as the actors from "Sideways." They received outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles received yet another nod. He offered this sound advice.

FOXX: If you win or if you lose, keep walking in the same direction.

VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: So our coverage of the SAG Awards is one of the top hits at cnn.com this morning. Christina Park of the dot-com desk is back with us this morning to talk about that and some other popular stories at the dot-com desk.

Good morning, Christina.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Goood morning, Tony.

HARRIS: Good to see you.

PARK: Thank you so much. You click on cnn.com, don't you, every day?

HARRIS: Sure I do. Sure I do.

PARK: Absolutely, well...

HARRIS: It's like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It's my home page.

PARK: Well, users like you and me are picking our most popular stories at cnn.com right now. And to find them, all you need to do is long on to cnn.com and pick on most popular, you see on the right hand side of your screen.

This morning we see our viewers are waking up to news from Tinseltown. The Screen Actors Guild Awards story is at the top of cnn.com and we've got the complete list of SAG winners and losers on our Web site as well as our fashion forward gallery where you can check out what the stars wore on the red carpet. They clean up pretty well, don't they?

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

PARK: On cnn.com's most popular viewers are also super excited about tonight's game. One of our top 10 most popular stories takes a high tech look at the Super Bowl and terrorism.

More than 80,000 fans better be ready for a close up tonight. Dozens of state of the art security cameras are in place. We're told the system can zero in, Tony, on a single seat or employee in virtually any section of the stadium. HARRIS: Harris?

PARK: Yes, better not pick your nose.

HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes.

PARK: That's what cnn.com users are clicking on right now. But you have to keep checking because the most popular stories are updated every 20 minutes.

HARRIS: Very good. That's a good heads up to me too, appreciate it. Thank you, Christina.

PARK: Thanks.

HARRIS: We're going to take you outside where Donald Rumsfeld is in Washington, D.C. making a tour of all the morning talk shows and he is talking to reporters now.

QUESTION: ...the draft, the permanent expansion of all of our volunteer force, longer enlistment periods?

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: We're certainly not going to have a draft. We don't need one. We have the ability to attract and retain the people we need in the military. We've enlarged the size of the Army, which is a good thing to do.

We're using Navy and Air Force personnel for ground functions like military police and truck drivers and various things that are more available than the limited number of Army people.

We're rebalancing the active with the reserve components, in a way that we will have more of the skill sets we need on active duty than we have in the past. So a whole host of steps have been taken to relieve stress on the force.

Good to see you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks folks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK, Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld there making the rounds of the morning talk shows and coming out in Washington, D.C. to talk to reporters and insisting again that there is no need at this time to reinstitute the draft.

NGUYEN: And he will be live on "LATE EDITION" with Wolf Blitzer at noon today so you want to stay tuned for that.

But in the meantime, if your child is dealing with excess weight at a young age, he or she could carry a heavy burden of health problems into adulthood.

Our Sara Dorsey takes on the issue of childhood obesity.

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DEBORAH EALEY, MOTHER: OK, Brittany, come on back.

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At only 14 years old...

D. EALEY: I know sweetie. Come on. How are you doing today?

DORSEY: ...Brittany Ealey carries a heavy burden.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This weight chart doesn't even have the weight increments that we need to plot Brittany. That is frightening. That is frightening.

DORSEY: The choice, lose some of her 312 pounds or face the likelihood of diabetes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're not tender around your neck at all?

BRITTANY EALEY: No.

DORSEY: Brittany already shows warning signs of the disease. The problem, doctors say, too much TV and junk food, not enough exercise.

B. EALEY: I feel heavy, out of shape, tired.

DORSEY (on camera): Sixteen percent of American children are overweight, and doctors say childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportion. Now though, some companies that cater to kids are taking action.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look out for hidden sugar.

DORSEY (voice-over): Nickelodeon is weaving healthy eating tips into its programming.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But sugar also lurks in places you'd never expect, granola bars.

DORSEY: The network also faded to black for three hours in October for worldwide Day of Play, encouraging kids to get off the couch and outside.

Other companies have answered the call of consumer advocacy groups. Kraft has announced it will stop aiming advertising of products like Oreo and Kool-Aid towards kids 12 and under. The products won't come off the shelf, but the advertisements will be pulled from popular cartoon hours.

Through a class at their hospital, the Ealeys have had to relearn how to eat.

D. EALEY: I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the Kook-Aid that we usually buy. We're buying things like this now.

DORSEY: What was the most surprising thing?

B. EALEY: How much calories food has.

DORSEY: Brittany says if she only understood good nutrition earlier maybe she wouldn't be facing the hard task of fighting the fat.

D. EALEY: Cheers, happy eating.

DORSEY: Sara Dorsey, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Good lesson to be learned there.

Well, good morning Philadelphia. Are you ready for some football? Well, your Super Bowl forecast, that is coming up. CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.

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NGUYEN: Checking the Sunday top stories. The Vatican says he is getting better. And indeed, Pope John Paul II was able to give his weekly Sunday blessing from his hospital room window in Rome. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday for breathing problems.

Iran's foreign ministry says President Bush has no right to criticize that country for sponsoring terrorism. The statement says the U.S. supports what it calls a quote, "Zionist terrorist group and tortures detainees in military prisons."

And in case you didn't notice, it is Super Bowl Sunday. Upward of 100,000 fans have jammed Jacksonville, Florida to see the Eagles take on the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.

HARRIS: And to the latest news out of Iraq. This morning coalition forces report a U.S. Marine was killed in action in Babil province south of Baghdad. The Marine was killed Saturday. No details available.

Gunmen seized four Egyptian technicians this morning outside their house in western Baghdad. The four had been in Iraq for about a year working for a subsidiary of an Egyptian mobile phone company. No claim of responsibility yet for the abduction.

The bodies of eight Iraqi police commandos have been found near Abu Ghraib, about 20 miles west of Baghdad. Seven of the commandos had been shot in the head, the eighth was beheaded.

This morning soldier's story is about Sergeant Kevin Benderman. Sergeant Benderman has been in the Army off and on for about 10 years, but he now claims to be a conscientious objector and he refused to return to Iraq last month with his unit. Sergeant Benderman and his wife, Monica, join us now from Savannah, Georgia. Good morning to you both. Thanks for being on the show.

MONICA BENDERMAN, WIFE: Good morning.

SGT. KEVIN BENDERMAN, U.S. ARMY: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, Kevin, let's start with you. You enlisted at age 22, stayed in the military for four years then reenlisted at 35. Why did you go back?

K. BENDERMAN: Well at the time like that -- that I had not completed my service to my country and so I reenlisted in the military.

NGUYEN: All right. And then you went off to Iraq. Did you take part in live combat? What did you see there?

K. BENDERMAN: Well there were instances of us being fired upon in live combat. And the area that I was in on occasion there would be heavy fire, yes.

NGUYEN: Did you ever have to fire on anyone there in Iraq? Did you ever shoot your gun?

K. BENDERMAN: I did not personally, but people that was in the area that we were, yes they did.

NGUYEN: OK. So help us understand why you decided to file for conscientious objector. What was it that caused you to make that decision?

K. BENDERMAN: Well, after I got over there and I saw just how it affected the people that were taking part in war I felt that I could no longer participate.

It made -- the young people that are serving in the military it made them put aside what their basic humanity and it turned them into people that they normally would not be.

NGUYEN: As it anything specific that you saw that kind of caused you to say this is it, I'm done with it?

K. BENDERMAN: Well there was instances of me seeing mass grave sites and there was one young girl that I saw on the highway as we were moving north through the country, her arm was severely burned, third degree burned. It was -- seeing her standing there begging for help and not being able to help her it just -- that was part of it and seeing how it made our young people be it was just -- it was a combination of everything.

NGUYEN: In fact I have read that you wanted to help the little girl and offer her your kit.

K. BENDERMAN: Well, yes I did. I talked to the executive officer of the company that I was in at the time and told her that if we stopped I would give her my medical supplies in order to get her treatment.

NGUYEN: But you were denied that. Is that the case?

K. BENDERMAN: Well we were on a road march at the time, so yes it was denied.

NGUYEN: OK. So as we try to understand exactly what caused you to file and why you filed for conscientious objector, I think a -- some things come into play in the fact that you came back from Iraq, you were in the military still for one year, but it wasn't until less than two weeks before you were to be deployed in January when you made this filing. Why then?

K. BENDERMAN: Well, you have to make sure that what you are thinking and feeling is exactly what you want to do. You can't just make a snap decision on these kind of things. You have to think it through and...

NGUYEN: Well in thinking that through...

K. BENDERMAN: ...once.

NGUYEN: ...with all of these visions coming back and the emotions and what you felt, is it the case that maybe you're suffering from post traumatic stress disorder? Could that be it?

K. BENDERMAN: Well, no. A lot of people have asked me about post traumatic stress disorder and I don't feel that it is. I've been to see a military psychologist and they say that I am -- I checked out OK.

It's just the fact that what you see when you're in the war zone how it affects people and how they have to live, their homes are destroyed. They have no basic utilities and you see how it affects the young men and women that serve in the military, like I said, it makes them less than human the...

NGUYEN: But Sgt. Benderman, aren't those the horrors of war? Isn't that what you signed up to take part in?

K. BENDERMAN: Well yes I did sign up in the military and I'm not naive as to what the military's purpose is. But once you see more first hand it makes you realize just how insane it really is. Because you can't know until you've been there and you've experience it for yourself.

NGUYEN: Quickly I want to speak with your wife, Monica. You say you're behind your husband 100 percent. Are you fearful that he may have to serve some time in prison because of this.

M. BENDERMAN: I don't think there's fear. I think we knew going in what the consequences could be, but I think we believe -- I definitely believe in what he's doing. I know he does. I know it wasn't one of those short term quick decision things. It was something he thought about during his time in Iraq.

It was something he thought about for the year after his time in Iraq, and it was finally the ultimate decision, the only right decision that he could make.

NGUYEN: You understand why some people are questioning the timing of that because he didn't file until a couple of weeks before he was to be deployed?

M. BENDERMAN: Well, I think that's just the lack of awareness. You know, he's here, he's jumped into their lives now with his decision. But his life is going on from before he was in Iraq until this point and there was a long process.

There was a lot of though in his mind. There was a lot of talking with us. There were steps that were taken and there were things that were done from the military standpoint that affected this decision.

So, people aren't aware of that entire year and a half long process that got us to this point.

NGUYEN: All right. Sgt. Benderman, my last question to you actually is twofold. Do you think that you're going to prevail in this case and what kind of advice do you have for those serving in the military who may be questioning whether this is what they need to be doing as well?

M. BENDERMAN: Well yes, I believe that I do have a good chance to have a fair hearing on my conscientious objector package. And as far as any one else that is considering applying for conscientious objector they have to look within themselves to make sure that they make the right decision for them.

NGUYEN: All right. Sgt. Kevin Benderman and his wife Monica, we appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.

BENDERMAN: Thank you.

M. BENDERMAN: Thank you.

NGUYEN: And stay tuned for more CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We'll be right back after this short break.

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HARRIS: And good morning Boston. Jacqui Jeras joins us in just a moment with your game time weather forecast.

NGUYEN: Our Kathleen Hays is in Washington for "ON THE STORY." Let's check in with her.

Good morning.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Once again we're on the story, from here in Washington to north of Baghdad to Rome and on to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville. We'll go to Iraq to talk to Jane Arraf about life after the election.

Our Vatican analyst, Delia Gallagher, has the latest on the pope's health. Susan Candiotti is on the security beat for the Super Bowl. And Candy Crowley, Suzanne Malveaux and I will all talk about what we've heard and did not hear about Social Security. That's all coming up ON THE STORY.

Betty, back to you.

NGUYEN: Looking forward to it. Thank you so much.

Well, all morning long we have been asking you our e-mail question of the day and that is are you going to be watching the game or the commercials?

HARRIS: You know what this might be that -- my favorite one of the morning. This is from Vick. Super Bowl Sunday, or any other day of the year, if this viewer discovers he's looking forward to a commercial, I'll beg CNN to dispatch a crew to swing over here and shovel some dirt on me because I'll know it's time to got.

Thank you, Vick.

NGUYEN: Well Bruce also has a sense of humor. Bruce says, what game? Nascar racing doesn't start 'til next week in Daytona.

HARRIS: There you go.

NGUYEN: We appreciate all of your responses this morning.

HARRIS: And very quickly, one more check of the game time forecast with Jacqui Jeras in the weather center.

Hi, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: That's it for us. Thank you for joining us this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: But we do expect to see you back here next weekend. Right now "On the Story" is next.

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