The clock is ticking and this year the super bowl will be a fascinating family feud, as John Harbaugh, head coach for the Baltimore Ravens will be challenging his younger brother Jim Harbaugh, head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in Super bowl XLVII – to be held at the Mercedes-Benz superdome in New Orleans, LA on Sunday February 2. But that’s not all; there will be more challenging super-bough mania as Joe Flacco and Colin Kaepernick will face each other for what could be their best performance ever.
The XLVII super bowl week has been thrilling, and super bowl activities this year, will be more challenging than the previous years due to the rumors, controversy, and damaging comments that have been made against the players and by the players.
Soon after the play-offs David Epstein, writer for the Sports Illustrated magazine released an article, which stated that Ray Lewis, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, allegedly admitted to using a substance banned by the NFL – IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) a spray formula derivative of deer antler that enhances the metabolism and improves performance. But Ray Lewis denies the allegations and maintains that such allegations are simply not true. Soon after the article was released, the media was saturated with information concerning the damaging allegations about Ray Lewis’ use of the substance.
Mitch Ross, co-owner of S.W.A.T.S (sports with alternative to steroid) and allegedly distributor of the deer antler spray, in a press conference held on Friday February 1, denied the allegations and stated that he never saw Lewis inhale the substance. Ross admitted to delivering performance chips in 2008 and 2009 to the Ravens locker room, but when asked whether he had had any conversation or contact with Ray Lewis during this football season, Ross chose not to answer the question.
Since the arrival of the teams to New Orleans, the events have fascinated the fans and the media. In the super bowl press conference held on Tuesday January 29, another controversial issue gave rise to resentment between Randy Moss, wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers – who claim to be the best receiver ever in the NFL and hall of famer Jerry Rice who literally, holds every receiving mark title in the NFL – receiving years, touchdowns, career receptions and combined net yards of 23,546 in his NFL career.
On Thursday’s press conference Rice quickly responded to Moss’ comments stating that he gave him credit for being the most talented, but when he played, he gave it 100% and showing off his super bowl XXVI ring said: “I have three of this, I sure hope Randy gets his first one this coming Sunday.”
The controversy continued through-out the week following Chris Culliver’s response on Tuesday’s press conference – when Culliver responded to a radio interview about gay players in the NFL, Culliver released a statement that said, “I would not welcome a gay teammate – I can’t be with that sweet stuff.”
Head coach Harbaugh, apologized and indicated that his team rejects the comments made by Culliver and that those comments do not reflect the way the organization or the players feel about openly gay players.
On Thursday January 31, Culliver was confronted by the media. During a press conference held in a ballroom of the hotel where the team is staying, he apologized for his comments. Culliver stated: “those discriminatory feelings are truly not in my heart – I apologize for those who I have hurt and offended.”
Another issue that has everyone wondering is Beyoncé’s super bowl halftime performance. Everyone has been questioning whether her performance would be live or pre-recorded. But this was made clear by the start herself who made an appearance at the press conference on Thursday, and singing the national anthem live, delivered an amazing performance. Beyoncé confirmed that she will be performing live.
Beyoncé had been heavily criticized for her performance during president Obama’s inauguration, and admitted to having used a backing track of her rendition of the star-spangle banner due to time constraints and lack of rehearsal with the band and sound check.
On the bright side of this controversial week, stand Mr. and Mrs. J. Harbaugh, the proud parents of two very successful sons – who had a press conference of their own earlier this week, and are in the middle of a very difficult situation. During the press conference they were asked many questions, but the best answers given by each one of them was when Mr. Harbaugh was asked “how do you feel about your sons situation?” and Mr. Harbaugh responded with a question “who has it better than us?” Mrs. Harbaugh on the other hand, was presented with the most difficult question, but was quick to respond – when asked, “in the middle of a difficult situation like this, who would you support?” Mrs. Harbaugh responded: “we would have to support the one that comes out short” – but when you have the best of both worlds, it doesn’t matter because they are both winners.
The super bowl is anticipated to be very physical and filled with exciting memorable moments. This year, part of the beauty of this event, will be the commercials that promise to entertain everyone and be more creative than in previous years. Targeting all members of the family, and already featuring previews of what’s to come, comments about the much anticipated ads are saturating the social media.
Targeting a younger generation, Luxury vehicle commercials will be featuring young pop-sensation Justin Bieber and wrapper Usher. Doritos, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Corona, Heineken, Blackberry, e-trade, Papa John’s, Budweiser and many others have invested millions of dollars in what’s expected to be the most watched super bowl ever in the history of the NFL.
Details of the super bowl will follow after the event.
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