Published: October 30, 2008 02:26 pm      

Obama, McCain to be interviewed for Monday Night Football

BRISTOL, Conn. — Are Barack Obama and John McCain ready for some football?

ESPN says the presidential candidates are planning to participate in one-on-one interviews via satellite that would air at halftime of “Monday Night Football,” the day before the election.

ESPN’s Chris Berman will do the segments earlier Monday, if the candidates’ schedules permit, and they’ll air at about 10:15 p.m. EDT.

The interviews will give both candidates a last major chance to appeal to Americans during a coveted spot on prime-time television. “Monday Night Football” has averaged 12.2 million viewers this season.

The game, between the host Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be the first NFL game played in the D.C. area on the Monday night before a presidential election in 24 years. The Redskins defeated the Atlanta Falcons 27-14 on Nov. 5, 1984; Ronald Reagan was re-elected the following day.

Obama previously appeared on “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 11, 2006, when he opened the broadcast of a game involving his hometown Chicago Bears by parodying his own upcoming official announcement of his intention to run for the presidency.

“I am ready,” he said, before putting on a Bears baseball cap, “for the Bears to go all the way, baby!”