Post-Super Bowl XLVIII Post
Who knew that a cold-weather Super Bowl would leave me sweating and taking off my coat? Yeah, yeah, we'll get to that dominating 43-8 Seahawks win in a moment, but first, a word about the weather.
New Jersey and the NFL went to great lengths to make sure fans were warm. Every fan was greeted with a seat cushion, hand warmers, and beanie. None were really necessary, since most everyone was up on their feet for much of the game (except for Bronco fans, who bailed early in the 4th quarter). My seat in the media overflow section had heat lamps beating heat down onto us throughout the game. Honestly, I haven't been this hot since a summer vacation to Arizona. But I digress.
I saw the game, you saw the game, so let's fast forward right to the postgame interview. I don't know if the national cameras caught it or not, but there was a bizarre moment during Malcolm Smith's postgame interview, when some uncredentialed intruder grabbed the mic at the podium and started shouting about conspiracy theories. It was truly a scary moment... all that security, and some nut job is still able to get within arm's reach of the Super Bowl MVP immediately after the game. Even worse. not a police officer was to be found to detain this guy.
But if that's the worst thing that happened before, during, or after the Super Bowl, I'd say that's a job well done by the NFL and New Jersey/New York's finest. Security was tight and cordial throughout the week. Kudos to everyone involved.
The recurring theme throughout the postgame interviews was that none of the Seahawks expected this sort of outcome. Yes, they expected to win, but not in this kind of fashion. Seattle dominated in every phase of the game. They got to Peyton Manning early and often. They took away all downfield throws. Their offense was balanced and efficient. Their special teams play was phenomenal. Even at their best, the Broncos wouldn't have had a chance against this team.
Now it's time for the 12th Man to celebrate. The Seahawks will hold a victory parade in downtown Seattle on Wednesday at 11 am. I'm sure more than a few people back home will be calling in sick for the next few days. Enjoy the party, 12's. And welcome to the Super Bowl Club.
Halftime UpdateWell, at least Bruno Mars was entertaining. We're halfway through Super Bowl 48, and the Legion of Boom is lowering the boom on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. No drama. No chance. Not that anyone back home in the Inland Northwest is complaining.
The game you are seeing on your TV is the same I'm seeing here in New Jersey. Total domination. Manning looks old and slow. Denver looks confused. And Seattle looks good. Dang good.
The Broncos were held to six total first downs in the first two quarters. They got inside Seattle's 20 yard line a whopping one time in the first half. The result? A 22-0 halftime lead. I guess defense does, in fact, win championships.
For those of you who are curious, no team has ever been held scoreless in a Super Bowl. Miami was the closest when it was held to a field goal in a 24-3 loss to Dallas in Super Bowl VI. So the Seahawks aren't only on their way to a first-ever championship, but also the first-ever shutout in Roman Numeral history.
Now, as far as the actual atmosphere here at MetLife... totally electric. I had this preconceived notion that watching the Super Bowl in person rather than on TV would be a letdown. Other than not being able to enjoy a beer (though it hasn't stopped one of my media contemporaries sitting next to me), it's been as good or better than watching it at home. Except without the commercials.
The pregame introductions gave me goose bumps. Kurt Russell on the jumbotron absolutely killed it. I hope they broadcast on TV for you at home. The hawk flying out for the Seahawks was a nice Seattle touch.
Super Bowls are notorious for having a corporate, uptight feeling to it. I definitely don't see it. Maybe the threat of cold weather and rain kept the bigwigs out of the stadium. There's definitely a large contingent of "real" football fans. There are lots of 12's out there who spent their hard-earned dollars to watch the game. They certainly deserve it.
See you after the game on KHQ and SWX, 12th Man. It's been a fun season, and it's about to get even better.
Before the Game Post
Auxiliary Press. When you hear the word "auxiliary" associated with anything, you immediately cringe. So when I was told I would be sitting in "Auxiliary Press," my mind raced to faraway places tucked in the nether regions of East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium. Maybe I would get a spot next to a dumpster outside the stadium. Or in a tent in the parking lot. Never did I think I would have actual seats INSIDE the stadium.
So here I sit in SEC 101, ROW 47, SEAT 10. The last row of the lowest level of the stadium. On top of that, the seat has a perfect view of the Seahawks end zone. The Super Bowl gods are smiling upon us today.
Paul Silverfarb, a polite gentleman from the Greenwich Post, is sitting next to me. We both can't believe our good fortune. It's been a long week with long hours for guys like Paul, so it's a nice reward for a job well done. But we know if you added up all the overtime being put in this week, it still wouldn't get you a nosebleed seat to this game. But who are we to say no?
I'll be tweeting and writing throughout the ballgame, so feel free to follow me on Twitter @SWXSamAdams. I'll also be posting a huge batch of pictures once we leave New York on Monday. Thanks for listening and letting me be your eyes and ears at the Super Bowl.
SWX's Sam Adams will be tweeting live from the "Auxiliary Press" section at MetLife Stadium.
