Steelers arrive in north Texas for Super Bowl XLV

They’re heeeeere…

Steelers arrive in north Texas for Super Bowl XLV, posted with vodpod

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Video: UNI’s “interlude dance” sets Caucasian Rhythm movement back 20 years

From Off the Bench

 

by Rob Sylvester

We’re sure the University of Northern Iowa is a fine place, a valued institution of learning where the young men and women of the wind-swept Plains plan for future careers in business, finance, and high-tech chicken farming. What it’s not is a haven of talented young dancers, as seen by the accompanying video of the campus’ newest tradition during men’s basketball games– the “interlude dance.” Oh god no, they’re trying to do the robot in unison. It’s worse than we thought.

In all seriousness it looks like they’re having fun, which, snarky blog judgments aside, is really what matters. It probably goes on for about 60 seconds too long, but watching the handfuls of non-dancers dispersed throughout the student section scan the scene with a “no really, I don’t know these people” look is worth all of it. Not to mention the whole thing is set some dance beat that sounds like a watered-down “Da Rude,” to this techno-neophyte. They’re about 1500 glow sticks away from the nerdiest rave in history.

However, considering the Panthers pulled out a 71-66 victory over NCAA Tournament mainstay Creighton in the game shown, the students may just be on to something. Whether it distracts the opponent through its earnest hilarity or motivates the UNI squad to do something on the court more memorable than their dork classmates are doing in the stands, it appears to be working. Don’t stop the music!

And hey, if this thing should happen to sweep the nation, it’s at least better than “the Macarena.” I’m pretty sure I even saw 3 or 4 people staying on the beat out there.

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UNI Interlude Dance vs Creighton [YouTube]

Super Bowl Notes

Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb is going to the Super Bowl. Well, he’s going to Texas for Super Bowl week, but he’ll be working for ESPN, not the Redskins. McNabb will serve as a guest analyst next week for ESPN’s coverage of Super Bowl XLV, providing his thoughts on the game, teams and players. The safe guess is that a Redskins question or three also might pop up. “We’re excited to have Donovan back on ESPN as a part of our Super Bowl coverage,” said ESPN senior coordinating producer Stephanie Druley. “We worked with him in previous years and he always has strong opinions and great insights on the game, the teams and especially the quarterback position.” — Washington Post

Steelers defensive star spending big on Super Bowl trip

Steelers NT Casey Hampton’s “crib” isn’t in Dallas. He was born in Galveston, a city on the Gulf of Mexico. A few years ago, he moved to nearby Houston. His relatives and closest friends coming to the Super Bowl will have roughly a 240-mile drive to Dallas this week. Hampton, a five-time Pro Bowler, is personally taking care of their Super Bowl arrangements. He’s renting a house for them in Dallas. He figures that beats paying for their airfare and hotel rooms. And for at least 15 family members and friends, he’s purchased their tickets at $900 a pop. “It’s going to be expensive for me,” he said. “So from that standpoint, it’s not going to be a good thing.” Whatever Hampton ends up spending for his entourage’s Super Bowl stay, no one feels sorry for him. His base salary this season is $4 million. Plus, Hampton and the rest of the Steelers have already pocketed $21,000 for winning the divisional-round playoff game against the Ravens and $38,000 for the AFC Championship Game against the Jets. If the Steelers beat the Packers in Super Bowl XLV, each player gets $83,000 more (the loser’s share is $42,000). — Beaver County Times

T Minus 7 days and counting….

Saturday, 8:30 PM.

The zoo has begun. It’s official now, one week to go until Super Bowl XLV and people around here in north Texas are getting crazy. It’s the fist time the Super Bowl has been played here, we sort of don’t know how to take all of this.

I went to the NFL Experience today and had a blast. Lots of things to see and do. Got to see some cool jewelry as they had each ring from the winning team for all Super Bowl Champions on display.

And I hate to mention it, but I drove around Cowboys Stadium to see what it was like, and the traffic is terrible already!!

I can’t imagine what this week is going tobe like. I hope my vacation got approved.

My Interview with Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten

I have to preface this story about my interview with Jason Witten. I have been a die-hard Cowboys fan since they day the came into the league. I have never had the chance to ever do an interview of any kind ever. Never have talked to a Cowboy, (except for Drew Pearson last year at Quick Trip Park). It was such a highlight to be able to talk with Jason on the phone today.

Please bear in mind, I am recounting the conversation from memory, so the actual conversation wasn’t recorded, but I will try and give the best answers from memory I can. He is in Hawaii getting ready for the Pro Bowl.

Me:  Hello Jason, my name is Lew Patton, and I just want to say it’s a tremendous honor meet and talk with you since I am a huge Cowboys fan. I’ll try not to sound too much like a homer while I ask you some questions is that ok?

Witten: That’s fine, it’s always good to talk to Cowboys fans.

Me: Jason, I know that Proctor and Gamble is a huge sponsor of the Pro Bowl there in Hawaii, what are they helping the NFL with there?

Witten: They are working with the Slant 45 program to help kids experience the NFL. It’s a lot fun helping the kids in that regard.

Me: That’s great. I have seen your “I am second” video and I wanted to say congratulations on making your 2nd Pro Bowl. Do you ever think about the possibility of going in to the Hall of Fame?

Witten: To be honest, I never really think about that. The players that are in the Hall of Fame are such great players, I just don’t think about myself in there. I think about just playing today.

Me:  Jason, I know you are from Tennessee, and I have relatives in Tennessee too, what teams did you follow when you were growing up there, and who were some of your favorite players?

Witten:  Well, when I was growing up the Tennessee Titans weren’t there yet, but some of my favorite players were Steve McNair, and when I was in school, I played linebacker. I always admired Junior Seau.

Me:  Do you think there will be a strike next season?

Witten: I sure hope not. Our Union is working with the owners and so hopefully they can get an agreement in place without any stoppage. A strike wouldn’t be good for the fans.

Me:  What needs do the Cowboys have to address in the next draft?

Witten: Well, Jerry is good about handling that, but we have to be able to replace a safety if they leave, just be able to have good players if anyone leaves.

Me:  What do you and your family like to do in the off-season.

Witten:  Well you know, just be a family and hang out together. This Pro Bowl trip to Hawaii is a nice gift to start the off-season with.

Me: Do you think the Cowboys will be able to clear that last hurdle to next year’s Super Bowl With Jason Garrett and his staff with having a full off-season to put his plans in effect?

Witten: Absolutely! Jason Garrett is very organized and meticulous in getting things done. He expects the best from his staff and players and that’s the way it’s going to be.

Me: Do you think the Pro Bowl should be played after the Super Bowl?

Witten: Yes! I’m an old-school kind of guy and I liked the way the Pro Bowl was played before. This format has been in place for two years now, but I like the old way better.

Me: And finally Jason, obviously we would much rather have seen the Cowboys getting ready for Super Bowl XLV, but since the Boys aren’t going to play there, who do yo like the Packers or Steelers?

Witten: Well, the Packers represent the NFC so I have to pull for them, but Pittsburgh has a pretty good defense so I don’t know.

Me: Thanks so much Jason, it was great speaking to you today!

——————————————————————————

Thanks so much to Rick Chandler at Off the Bench, for this great opportunity to talk to Jason Witten. Thanks also to Brian Manning and Christian Matthews of Taylor’s Strategy for the hook-up, you guys are awesome!

It’s time for Super Bowl XLV!

Wow, can it get any more crazier here in north Texas than having a Super Bowl in the back yard?

Thanks to my good friend Rick Chandler over at Off the Bench an NBC owned blog, I am able to do some work for that site and it’s a blast so far. I’m getting calls to do interviews of players.  I’ll be interviewing Jason Witten later on this evening via phone, and next week Jerome Bettis.

Is this country great or what?? Stay tuned!

Which NFL jerseys are women buying?

Apparantly, there is a large segment of this society (women), that buy NFL jerseys differently from men. In other words, women like certain jerseys differently than men. Case in point. 

With more than 40 percent of NFL fans being female, jerseys tailored for women have become popular in recent years. So it’s interesting to see what jerseys men buy that women don’t and vice versa.

So what player experienced a nice jump in the women’s jersey market as compared to the men’s market?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is reportedly dating Gossip Girl star Jessica Szohr, is fourth on the women’s jersey list one spot ahead of Tom Brady. He ranks seventh on the list of regular jerseys.

And women clearly love their Dallas Cowboys. Wide receiver Miles Austin is seventh on the women’s list, but 13th on the men’s list. Quarterback Tony Romo is ninth on the women’s list and 11th on the men’s list. And the biggest jump of anyone on the list is tight end Jason Witten, who is 21st on the men’s list, but 10th on the women’s list.

 Best Selling NFL Women’s Jerseys

1. Troy Polamalu, Steelers
2. Peyton Manning, Colts
3. Drew Brees, Saints
4. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
5. Tom Brady, Patriots
6. Tim Tebow, Broncos
7. Miles Austin, Cowboys
8. Eli Manning, Giants
9. Tony Romo, Cowboys
10. Jason Witten, Cowboys

Interesting. I think I’ll drag out my Cowboys jersey for the Super Bowl.

Whose NFL Jerseys Scores the Most With Women? (CNBC)

Troyble in Paradise

Oh this just can’t be.

Fox football analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman confirms he and his wife, Rhonda, have separated after being married for 10 years.

 

The timing for this bombshell is great. Right as Super Bowl XLV hits Dallas.

I thought everything was perfect for golden-haired Troy. Well, it just proves he’s human after all.

 

Great, maybe we’ll see him at Rick’s.

  

“This has been a difficult decision for Rhonda and me, but after 10 years of marriage we have decided to separate. We remain deeply committed to our children and respectfully ask that you honor our family’s privacy during this period of adjustment.”

 

I don’t think you get much privacy when you are a quarterback of a winning Super Bowl team. Twice.

 

Troy Aikman confirms he and wife have split (DMN)

 

 

 

 

 

Uh Oh, here come the Super Bowl ads, and controverseys ensue

Aaahhh yes, on to the Super Bowl.

It’s now time to focus not on the football game, but what commercials will, and won’t be shown on TV during the Super Bowl 45.

This just in, Fox rejects Ashley Madison’s Super Bowl ad starring a porn star Savanna Samson.

Wow, there’s an X version of this?

How come the Super Bowl brings out the slutiness in people? Stay tuned.

Fox rejects Ashley Madison’s Super Bowl Ad starring Porn Star Savanna Samson (The Huffington Post)