CBS ANNOUNCES THE NEW ONE-HOUR SPECIAL "MVP: MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER," TO BE BROADCAST LIVE THURSDAY, JAN. 25

An Interactive Talent Show to Find the Professional Football Player with the Best Talent off the Field

Voting Is Now Open Online at si.com/mvp for the 32 Participating Players

Finalists Will Be Matched with Celebrity Mentors Who Specialize in Their Talent

During the Jan. 25 Broadcast, Viewers Can Vote for the Final Two on CBS.com, with the Winner Revealed Live

CBS announced today the new one-hour special MVP: MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER, an interactive talent show to find the pro football player with the best off-the-field talent, to be broadcast live from the Avalon Hollywood, Thursday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The MVP contest begins today with the first videos of the 32 participating players available online at si.com/mvp for fans to watch and vote for their favorite performer. The videos showcase various unique talents, such as Irish step dancing, rapping and archery, among others. Each week, a new group of players' auditions will be available online for fan voting during December. The finalists will be announced in January.

"While we knew pro football players had talents off the field, we had no idea how deep their talents go," said Robert Horowitz, JUMA Entertainment President. "The focus, discipline and competitive fire that serve them so well on the field will be on full display as they step into the MVP spotlight. Watching many of these players perform their skills, it quickly becomes apparent that, if they had picked up a violin when they were 5, they probably would have ended up a concert violinist. Also, just know for any finalist whose day job might take them to the Super Bowl and prohibit them from appearing live on the show, we still plan to honor and call attention to their talent."

Players who have entered the contest include Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (Piano); AJ Green, Cincinnati Bengals (Juggling); Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers (Archery); Juju Smith-Shuster, Pittsburgh Steelers (Cooking); Domata Peko, Denver Broncos (Guitar); and Miles Killebrew, Detroit Lions (Drums). The complete list is below.

The top finalists will advance to the live show and be assisted by an entertainer who will mentor them and enhance their performances. During the show, a panel of celebrity judges will critique each player's performance before viewers vote live online at CBS.com to determine the MVP: MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER. The winner will be revealed at the end of the show.

Additional information will be available closer to air.

The following is the current list of pro football players who have entered the MVP competition.

Ameer Abdullah Detroit Lions Acro-Yoga

Prince Amukamara Chicago Bears Dancing

Joe Barksdale Los Angeles Chargers Guitar

Justin Bethel Arizona Cardinals Drums

Patrick Chung New England Patriots Cooking

Alex Collins Baltimore Ravens Irish Step Dancing

Fletcher Cox Philadelphia Eagles Archery

Mason Crosby Green Bay Packers Archery

John Denney Miami Dolphins Violin

Max Garcia Denver Broncos Singing

Robert McClain Tampa Bay Buccaneers Artist

AJ Green Cincinnati Bengals Juggling

Jacob and Cody Hollister New England Patriots Singing/Guitar

Miles Killebrew Detroit Lions Saxophone

Marquette King Oakland Raiders Piano

Christian Kirksey Cleveland Browns Drums

Bennie Logan Kansas City Chiefs Archery

Greg Mabin San Francisco 49ers Rap

Arthur Moats Pittsburgh Steelers Piano

Corey Nelson Denver Broncos Poetry

Robert Nkemdiche Arizona Cardinals Saxophone

Pat O'Donnell Chicago Bears Trick Shots

Domata Peko Denver Broncos Guitar

Juju Smith-Schuster Pittsburgh Steelers Cooking

Jonathan Stewart Carolina Panthers Piano

Joe Thuney New England Patriots Rubik's Cube

Dalvin Tomlinson New York Giants Artist

Stephon Tuitt Pittsburgh Steelers Cooking

Brandon Williams Baltimore Ravens Singing

Eddie Yarbrough Buffalo Bills Ukulele/Singing

Kevin Zeitler Cleveland Browns Dog Tricks

MVP: MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER is produced by JUMA Entertainment in conjunction with ACE Media, the content arm of the NFL Players Association. Robert Horowitz and Josh Greenberg of JUMA are the executive producers along with Scott Langerman of ACE. Michael Simon will direct.

RATING: To Be Announced