From Manic Media Day to, well, civilization
Published: February 3rd, 2010 | Tags: Simon Veness, Super Bowl XLIV
DOWNTOWN MIAMI, Fla. — The sun came back out today, but things are still a bit “grey.”
Instead of the multi-colored splendor of Media Day, we have reverted back to formal press conference mode, with the stiffer, more regimented style of a proper working environment.
Altogether now — Boo!
Okay, I know, I should be thankful for the chance to get back on an even keel, and catch my breath after the fairly high-level high-jinx of Tuesday, but the fact is that it’s a bit like being on an sugar “high” and the comedown effect is quite noticeable.
However, being the true professional (ahem!) that I am, I will endeavor to readjust my internal dynamics accordingly. But, when you’ve been force-fed a high-sugar diet for the past 48 hours or so, it’s hard to regulate.
Therefore, as I contemplated the meeting space here at the Intercontinental Hotel in advance of the New Orleans media session, I will just add that this remains an extraordinary, 3-D, larger-than-life production and it never ceases to amaze me how amenable -– not to mention articulate — the players can be.
Compare the Super Bowl with England’s big annual “championship game,” the FA Cup Final, and you are dealing with (largely) monosyllabic players who have never been to college (they usually start as apprentices in their teens –- shock, horror!) and would probably think a gridiron is something you use to press your pants.
So, in that respect, I should be eternally grateful I’m dealing with the New Orleans Saints and not English soccer outfit Southampton FC (also known as the Saints, *TRIVIA ALERT!* because of their original foundation as St. Mary’s YMA in 1885), otherwise my notebook would be full of journalistic gems like, “Know what I mean, John?” and “It’s a game of two halves, like.”
And that would be seriously grey. Know what I mean?
– Simon Veness
(U.S.-based British writer Simon Veness has infiltrated the ranks of NFL.com for Super Bowl week with his transatlantic take on events.)


