I’ve been back long enough. It’s time for me to blog about being at the Super Bowl. Let me start by saying that I still truly can’t believe the Cardinals were there. It didn’t really hit me until I saw them come out onto the field on Sunday a few hours before the game, and even then it was hard to comprehend. After all, I’ve been reporting on this franchise for over 10 years and I, like just about everybody else, never ever thought this time would come. Let’s just hope it wasn’t just a fleeting moment. Let’s just hope this organization has really turned a corner and is competitive every year.
We arrived in Tampa early Monday afternoon. When you’re covering the Super Bowl, you really have to get to town the week prior to the game. That’s the time for the media. We hype and hype and hype and then hype the game some more. The players hate it, but the fans love it and that’s who we do our jobs for. This was my 5th Super Bowl, each one is different, but one thing always remains constant….at least for me. Rain. Boy did it come down on us Wednesday night. Our live reports turned into a comedy routine! It was hard to even hear myself talk because of the sound of the rain on my umbrella. Why they call it the “sunshine state” I’ll never know. It rained on us the same way in Miami a few years earlier for Super Bowl 41. Not that any of you care, but when you cover the Super Bowl, it’s really not that much fun. It’s not as exciting as you might think, but the trick is to make it seem that way during our reports. By the time Friday rolled around, I was really tired of anything and everything Super Bowl related…..and the game was still 2 days away!!!
Thankfully that excitement really came back when I saw those red jersey’s on the field Sunday…(and it REALLY came back when I got to see Bruce Springsteen perform live)…..but nothing prepared me for that feeling I got in a damp stadium media room late in the 4th quarter. I was watching on a television (just like you) when Larry Fitzgerald caught that pass over the middle and streaked into the end zone with 2 and a half minutes left in the game. I said to myself, “My God, the Cardinals are going to win the Super Bowl!!!” I wasn’t prepared for that. Then a few moments later I found myself saying, “I’ve waited my whole life for a Super Bowl overtime, and finally I’m going to see one!!!” Of course neither happened.
It was a very memorable Super Bowl for all involved and even though it was A LOT of work, I’m so glad I was there…………….and now I’m so glad I’m back!!!
Chris, what a totally honest report you just gave on your long awaited blog about your experiences at the Superbowl. I couldn’t wait to hear about it and expected it to be full of nothing but fun and excitement. Having the opportunity to hobnob with our sports heroes is like a dream come true for us fans. But apparently for those of you in the media who have to work it for endless hours without much sleep, trying to get interviews with players who are burnt out from all the media hype, perhaps your job is not as glamorous as we all imagined. At any rate, I still think you’re a lucky duck for having been there to experience many moments in sports history. I’m sure you’ll proudly be telling your grandchildren all about it someday, cuz not only were you there, but you worked it!! Welcome home Chris!