It's 49ers Vs Chiefs

The San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in this year's  Super Bowl.  Both teams have won the Lombardi Trophy decades ago.  The Chief's, who were in the first Super Bowl, losing to the Green Bay Packers,  would come back and win Super Bowl 4.  They are returning with the record of longest time between Super Bowl appearances.  

 The 49ers last Super Bowl win was in 1994. The Chiefs  last win was in 1970.

Namath Featured On Super Bowl Pregame Coverage

After the first two Super Bowls, it was widely thought that the NFL was vastly superior to what was then the AFL.  In 1969, even though the NFL's Baltimore Colts were favored over the AFL's New York Jets, Quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed a Jets victory.   The Jets would shock the country with a 16-7 victory over the Colts.  It's widely though that this meant the AFL had arrived.  It's  said to have spurred on the merger that brought the AFL teams into the NFL.  

Since that game was 50 years ago, CBS paid tribute to Namath in it's pregame coverage of this year's Super Bowl.

Eagles Win Super Bowl In Game For The Ages

Yes, it's pretty clear that Tom Brady is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, but he doesn't own the Lombardi Trophy.  The Philadelphia Eagles fought and clawed and used every weapon they had right down to the end to beat the reigning champion New England Patriots 41-33. 
No doubt, this will go down in history as one of the greatest Super Bowls in history.  The two teams combined set a record for most yards in a Super Bowl and that was before the 4th quarter started.    It was the first Super Bowl win for the Eagles. It denied New England it's 6th Super Bowl win.  The Patriots have played in a record of 10 Super Bowls. 
The Eagles lost their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz in the middle of the season and were thought to be dead in the water.  The Eagles quarterback, Nick Foles had considered retirement after last season.  Foles threw for over 370 yards. 
It was not a great day for defenses and both team's punter's got plenty of rest.  The Seattle Seahawks beat the Eagles earlier in the season. 

Jerry Kramer Will Be Inducted

Jerry Kramer, the Green Bay Packer guard who played in the first 2 Super Bowls, has finally been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.  It was Kramer's 11th time on the ballot. 
The Packers, under legendary coach Vince Lombardi, won 5 NFL titles during Kramer's career, including the first two Super Bowl wins. 
Kramer is a member of the All Decade Team of the 60s and the Packer Hall Of Fame.  Kramer will be the 32nd Packer to be inducted.
Kramer played college ball at the University Of Idaho.

Super Sunday Fun

Lady Gaga performs at halftime at this year's Super Bowl.  Deb and I watched with our friends at Twin Peaks Sports Bar in Tukwila.  Every table had it's own TV and there is a bank of big screen TVs over the bar.  We all left before the game ended due to reports of incoming snow.  As you probably now know it was a tale of two halves.   The Atlanta Falcons cruised to large early lead only to have the New England Patriots come back in the second half to win.   The crowd mostly cheered Atlanta, but there was also a very audible section of New England fans. 

Maple Valley Recognized In '"Hawkmania"

According to this KOMO 4 web post, Maple Valley has the most enthusiastic Seahawks fans.  Thanks to my friend Bonnie for sharing this. Go Hawks!!!

Patriots To Meet Seahawks In Super Bowl

For the second year in a row, the Seattle Seahawks will face a Hall Of Fame bound Quarterback in the Super Bowl.  Last year the Hawks shut down Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, this year, the task seems even more daunting as we face the New England Patriots and legendary quarterback Tom Brady.  After a sputtering start, news stories were coming out that Patriot dominance was over.  No sooner had that idea hit , the Patriots went on a 7 win tear, finishing the season at 13-3.  This will be the Patriots 6th trip to the Super Bowl under Brady.  Brady will going for his 4th Super Bowl ring.

Super Reserve Quarterback Earl Morrall Dies

If Earl Morrall would be playing today, his accomplishments would make him a million dollar superstar.  As it happened, Morrall played when NFL football was played once a week (later twice) and there was no sports radio, twitter, or the like.   Morrall stepped in for legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas, to lead the Colts to Super Bowl III.  Of course, he had to shoulder the Colts loss in an upset by the New York Jets.  It was the first time an NFL team (in what is now the NFC) would lose to the AFL. 
Morrall later would redeem himself in Super Bowl V coming off the bench to lead Baltimore to it's first Super Bowl win.  He remains the only quarterback to come off the bench to lead a team to a come from behind Super Bowl victory.
When the Miami Dolphin's quarterback Bob Griese was injured in 1972, Morrall, stepped up and lead the Dolphins to an undefeated season and it's first Super Bowl victory. 
The common link to those 3 Super Bowl appearances was head coach Don Shula, who after moving from the Colts to the Dolphins, acquired Morrall, after the Colts cut him.
Earl Morrall died last week after suffering from Parkinson's Disease. There was a suggestion by a sportswriter that the Comeback Player Of The Year award be named after Morrall.  I think maybe he should be remembered as the "12th Man".

Malcom Smith At Disney World

Seahawk Defensive Back Malcom Smith rides in the Disney World parade in Orlando.  Smith was named MVP in this year's Super Bowl.  The World Champion Seahawks will be honored tomorrow at the Seattle Mariners home opener at Safeco.

Seattle Will Hold Parade For Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks will celebrate their Super Bowl victory will a parade in Downtown Seattle tomorrow (Wednesday February 5th) at 11am.  The parade will start at 4th and Denny and continue to Century Link Field.  Some private schools have closed, but Seattle public schools will hold classes as scheduled.

Seahawks Are Going To The Super Bowl

The Seattle Seahawks are NFC champs and will be going to the Super Bowl to face the Denver Broncos on Febuary 2nd in New York.  The 'Hawks made a stunning comeback in the second half to beat the San Francisco 49ers 23-17.

Seahawks Earn Number 1 Seed

The Seattle Seahawks beat the St.Louis Rams 27 to 9 earning number 1 seed  in the NFC Playoffs.
This gives the 'Hawks a first round bye and home field advantage throughout.  If the team can win the next to playoff games, it will advance to the Super Bowl.  In addition, the Seahawks are the NFC West champs. 
In 2005, the Hawks earned the number 1 seed and went to the Super Bowl, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Seahawks Are In The Mix

The Seattle Seahawks, arguably the NFL's hottest team, will be gunning for it's 2nd Super Bowl Appearance.  The team blew out the San Francisco 49ers 42-13 in front of the entire nation last Sunday to clinch a playoff spot.   Rookie Quarterback Russell Wilson (above) appears ready to take the team toward a possible title.  However there is still plenty of football to be played.

The Pack Is Back

The Green Bay Packers won their 4th Super Bowl last Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers to whom the Packers beat have won 6. However, putting it in historical perspective, the Packers have won 13 NFL Championships. That is what the Super Bowl now signifies.

Green Bay won the first two Super Bowls with what was a team of legends. There coach was Vince Lombardi, the man to whom the trophy was named after. They had such legends as Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Paul Hornung, Boyd Dowler, Willie Davis, and Jerry Kramer. After Lombardi left the team, the Packers languished.

Coach Mike Holmgren took over in the 90s and finally brought the "Pack Back", after Holmgren left for our Seahawks, the team stayed strong and finally returned the crown this year. Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 309 yards and three touchdown passes.

Superbowl XLIV: Saints Win Game, Title And America's Hearts

The New Orleans Saints, as unlikely as it sounds, are world champions. After what looked like a blow-out Colts win early on, the Saints, who once were the sign of futility in the league, used an on-side kick, a 2 point conversion, and few balls taking the right bounce to eak out a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in one of the most exciting contests ever. With an average of 105 million viewers watching, it beat out the final episode of Mash (1983) to become the most watched television program of all time. It may put to rest the myth that the contest needs teams from major markets to draw viewers.

Saints vs Colts In Super Bowl XLIV

The New Orleans Saints will take on the Indianapolis Colts in this years Super Bowl. It will be the first apearance for the Saints.

Neck Injury Forces Mack Strong To Retire

Seattle Seahawks veteran fullback Mack Strong suffered a severe neck injury that will force his retirement. Strong whose very name suggests power was in the NFL for 15 seasons, almost twice the average career of an NFL running back.
The injury took place during yesterday's game in Pittsburgh. Doctors said that it was a herniated disk that was pinching his spinal cord.
I think Strong will be the first member of the 2005-2006 Seahawk Super Bowl team to be inducted into the the Ring Of Honor.