I'm just writing this so I don't get fined. *Sigh* I told myself I wouldn't write any Marshawn Lynch-related jokes. I also told myself as a television sports anchor that I would not air any of Marshawn Lynch's ridiculous interviews this week. So far I'm 0-2. The Super Bowl is the biggest event in American sports and goes pound-for-pound with the World Cup and Olympics on a global level. But this particular Sunday holds influence like no other day on the calendar year. Tweets will be shared, Facebook posts will fill your timeline and Instagram pictures will display allegiance to one team or another, whether they are playing or not. Record amounts of food and alcohol will be consumed, which could lead to record numbers in both the emergency room and prison. Ok, I may be exaggerating a bit there, but you get the picture. Whether you are a football fan or not, there is a very good chance a television in your home will find itself on NBC at one time or another this Sunday. The 2014 version of football's world championship saw 111.5 million viewers tune in. That game ended 43-8. The halftime show was even more impressive. 115.3 million people had nothing better to do than watch Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was one of them. It's not that we have nothing better to do. It IS the thing to do. Super Bowl Sunday offers a little something for everyone. There's football for the sports fan. There's humor in the commercials. There's drama, suspense and maybe even a little emotion depending on your interest in the outcome of the game. Let's hope it ends better than 43-8. Sunday's game is only 100 miles north of us here in Tucson but it may as well be in my very own backyard. Each day this week our TV station, KVOA, has offered live coverage from Glendale, Phoenix or Scottsdale. Stories with players, coaches and fans control our airwaves leading up to the afternoon kickoff. People have flocked from every corner of the country to partake in the week's events. Media members from around the globe are on hand to find story angles worth sharing with readers, listeners or viewers. I took part in the first part of the frenzy last Sunday, the Pro Bowl. The NFL's All-Star game is highly criticized for players not going 100%. That was evident about three plays in when the crowd erupted in boos because the defensive players would not tackle Dallas running back DeMarco Murray. Eventually the players settled in and the fans settled down. After the game, I witnessed first hand the crazy hold the NFL has on the media. When the game clock hit zero, a hundred or more media members bull-rushed the field to stick microphones in the faces of these NFL players. This was only the Pro Bowl. This same moment following Sunday's game will likely look something similar to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Indeed, we are tired of hearing Marshawn Lynch repeat the same line over and over during his interviews. We are exhausted by the words "deflate gate" and the PSI in a football. I can recall growing quite irritated with the constant coverage leading in to the Super Bowl. Being this close has only intensified that feeling to the point I would be ok if they kick off on Saturday. Still, we all (im)patiently await Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. While we wait, I suppose I can make my prediction, although I can't imagine it will mean much by game's end. This is the sixth time in the Tom Brady era the Patriots have played on football's biggest stage. They have won three of those previous five Super Bowls. The most interesting stat (to me, at least) is the fact that each of those games was decided by four points or less. Something tells me Sunday will be a close game. Then again, I thought the same thing last year. PREDICTION New England 27 Seattle 24
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It's been far too long. I was proud of myself for keeping things updated around here. The blog posts, pictures and on-air examples. I was enjoying the feedback and interaction with readers. Then, things got a little hectic in my daily routine. I rang in the new year by celebrating the biggest (and greatest) day of my life. On Saturday, January 3 in Whitefish, Montana I married my best friend. Fallon and I tied the knot in front of family and close friends. It took a year of planning and dozens of phone calls, text messages and FaceTime dates with parents, bridesmaids and groomsmen. Pastor Chad was kind enough to offer some pre-marriage sessions via FaceTime. Wedding planners, resort officials and photographer emails flooded my inbox. Tux and dress fittings were frequent. It was all worthwhile. When we became engaged in late 2013, we knew we wanted to return to Montana for the wedding nuptials. We also knew we wanted a winter wedding, especially after moving to Arizona. We certainly didn't plan on celebrating during the biggest snowstorm of the winter, but we should have known when it snowed in Tucson on our way to the airport. Temperatures were cold and roads were subpar. But, pictures in the snow looked incredible thanks to our photographer, Wayne. It was difficult to complain about the freezing temps when there was a large smile on my face. The ceremony was short and meaningful. The reception was memorable. Immediately after the three main dances (bride and groom's first dance, father/daughter dance and mother/son dance) the snow storm decided to knock out the power in the entire town. Luckily, thanks to some quick thinking by bridesmaids, we were able to light up the dance floor, keep the music roaring and party on through the night. After spending a few days in the blistery Montana winter it was time to honeymoon in the sunshine. One week in Jamaica was exactly what the doctor ordered. Paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling and tubing filled our days. Rum-filled drinks and Jamaican dishes were aplenty. We even ran into a fellow Montana newlywed couple, proving once and for all how small the world truly is. Fallon and I are now back in Tucson, returning to work and enjoying our first weeks as a married couple. The "I do's" weren't the only big news in our lives in recent weeks. Before flying to Big Sky Country to tie the knot, we added a new member to our family. Rosie the Rhodesian Ridgeback became a permanent member of the household in late December. As you can imagine, Rosie is a fair amount larger than Tinker, our Yorkie. Watching the two interact over the past month has been enjoyable as they continue to entertain on a daily basis. So there you go. A quick update on some big changes in our lives. All of the preparation, work and responsibilities have been incredibly worthwhile as we take the next step in our lives. Stay tuned as we continue our journey! |
AuthorRichie is a small-town boy chasing big-city dreams. When he's not involved with sports, he's spending time with his wife, Fallon; their yorkie, Tinker; and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rosie. Archives
April 2016
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