Coach Chuck Pagano to Be Featured On CBS Sports' NFL TODAY, 12/30

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and broadcasting its 53rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 30 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

THE NFL ON CBS's Greg Gumbel previews the Houston Texans-Indianapolis Colts game with one of the most inspirational stories of the 2012 NFL season, an interview with Colts Head Coach CHUCK Pagano as he returns to the sidelines for the first time since Week 3 after fighting leukemia.

When Pagano took the head coaching job of the Colts in January of this year, little did he know what would lie ahead for him and his team. Indianapolis started 1-2 with the rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. During the Colts' bye week in September, Pagano visited his doctor to check out some symptoms of fatigue and discoloration of his arms. The next thing Pagano knew, he was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy for leukemia.

Meanwhile, Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians was appointed Interim Head Coach on October 1. Arians and his players promised Pagano that they would keep things going until his return. With Pagano's inspiration, Arians' coaching, Andrew Luck's growth at quarterback and the veteran leadership of All-Pro wide receiver Reggie Wayne, among others, the Colts won nine-of-their-next-12 games led by the chant, "1-2-3 CHUCK!" Now with Pagano returning this week, he takes back the reigns of a playoff team. Along the way, Pagano's heroic fight against cancer promoted countless "Chuckstrong" stories. Charlie Bloom is the producer.

JAmes Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY Insider Jason La Canfora, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports and serves as the Executive Producer for THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

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