John Schmitt Has His Super Bowl Ring...

40 years later...

He went surfing in February of 1971. The Jets O-Lineman took his first surfing lesson in the waves off Waikiki Beach. He paddled out in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel... and...

"I never thought about the fact that if you stay out in the water for 5 or 6 hours, your hands shrink and the ring fell off about a quarter mile out from the shore," Schmitt told Hawaii News Now.

A lifeguard discovered the ring, gave it to his mom- who filed it away...

HNN has the update from there...
((HT: HawaiiNewsNow))

Xtina's Most Xcellent Anthem

Since the HQ isn't going to make fun of Cab Calloway for making sure the twilight was "allantly fleeing"... EVAH!!!

We'll just show you Xtina Aguilera make herself an ex-anthem singer...
Until it gets pulled...
((HT: NFL on FOX/youtube))


Ooofff...

When Is A Seat In JerryWorld Not A Seat...???

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

When your seat is deemed a safety concern...

850 tickets in temporary seating were able to be relocated... 400 more were not...

"The safety of fans attending the Super Bowl was paramount in making the decision and the NFL, Dallas Cowboys and City of Arlington officials are in agreement with the resolution," according to a statement issued by the NFL late Sunday afternoon.

The letter given by the NFL sayeth quote:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please be advised that due to the unforeseen conditions, the installation of temporary seating at Super Bowl XLV was not fully completed.

Your assigned seat is unavailable for today's game.

The NFL and the Cowboys sincerely regret this inconvenience.

The NFL was offering displaced ticket-holders a payment of three times the face value. But what we don't know is if that's three-times ticket broker value or just three times face value...

Here's Jason Whitely standing outside since he can't be inside...


Don't know about you folks, but I'd still be majorly pissed...

DEVELOPING: JerryWorld Thawability Update- Is There A Hole In The Roof...?

((HT: MyFoxDFW))

Despite appearances, an official says there is no hole in the roof of Cowboys Stadium. Arlington ((TX)) Fire Chief Don Crowson denied there was any damage to the world's largest enclosed dome.

"There is no hole in the roof," Crowson said. "It's a matter of ice pack."

Despite Crowson's explanation, an apparent opening remains on the roof, which is made of Teflon-coated woven fiberglass.

In fact, aerial footage showed what appears to be a peel back and a gash...

Both marks appear on the roof along one of the joining girders to the roofing edge...
And it doesn't look pretty...

Here's an interview with Chief Crowson, thanks to our friends at Fox 4...

Hole in Cowboys Stadium Roof?: MyFoxDFW.com

Menefee Takes On A Toddler

((HT: foxsports))

Get your head out of the gutter...

The HQ will admit that not much of the pre-game stuff from Dallas was viewed on the telly...

There was more important stuff going on... like, you know...

Life...

But FOSG Curt Menefee was subjected to an edited segment with America's favorite underaged broker...


That's how you fill four hours... well, that, and Bill O'Reilly...

Schlichter's At It Again...??? Probably...

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

The HQ questions why anyone in their right mind would trust anything of theirs to tOSU QB Art Schlichter...

His gambling demons are legendary, and they are allegedly back with a vengeance...
Schlichter is being investigated in a ticket scam that may have taken millions from a lot of unsuspecting Ohioans- and the tickets include the Michigan game and the game in Dallas this weekend...

Along with Anita Barney, the two allegedly promised the ducats but never delivered them. Barney's attorney says that his client was also duped by Schlichter in the process.

Here's the latest... and it's pretty sad... from Paul Aker...


Mike Wagner's story in the Columbus Dispatch newspaper is hyah...

Your JerryWorld Thawability Update

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

Here's your update as we get closer to the last game in the NFL season...
They hope it'll be super...

Gary Reaves is outside...
It may be a little warmer today than yesterday...

Broseph's Bits And The Weekend Gospel

It's Super Bowl Sunday coming up and the fun part of this day for those of us who don't have a team playing is wagering on it. It is rare that the Big Game is this close. I've gone back and forth on both the spread and total making a case for all four things happening. I'm jaded by the fact that the Eagles should have beaten Green Bay, but I'm also angry that Pittsburgh (the lesser part of PA) could win another Super Bowl. I've envisioned a shootout as well as a defensive struggle. Because of the fact that I can't seem to make a selection there, I've decided to turn to the props. There are hundreds of wagers to make in this group. In this space, I'm going to give you five to take a chance on and three that I'd like to see made:

Christina Aguilera National Anthem Length... The O/U has been set at 1 minute and 54 seconds. The money is coming in on the over which is a good bet because a lot of these artists like the spotlight. Aguilera did the National Anthem at Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals and it was approximately at 1:54. One would think that she would want to soak up the attention and hold those last few notes just a bit longer. (OVER 1:53)

Both Teams Make 33+ yard FG's... Using the sportsbook BetPhoenix, the yes is at +155. In a few scenarios, one can see the defenses stiffening up a bit more in certain parts of the field. 33 yard FG's are essentially chip shots and these kickers are pretty solid. Mason Crosby is 22-28 this season with a long of 56 yards. Shaun Suisham has been a great acquisition missing only one kick in 15 tries. His long is only 48 yards, but he doesn't need it to be that long. (YES +155)

Team scores 2 unanswered times... Once again using the great sportsbook BetPhoenix, we get this gem of a wager. Most books offer this wager, but it's three straight instead of two. As discussed, this is a very evenly matched Super Bowl. Both teams have potent offenses with defenses that are built to slow each down. With a game like this, wagering the no is actually worth it. There's no reason that you couldn't see a back and forth affair. (NO +3300)

Mentions of Brett Favre during the game... Another favorite sportsbook of mine, Bodog, features this gem. They set the number at 2.5 which seems to be ridiculously low. You do realize that FOX will be all over this angle. We heard this week that Aaron Rodgers specifically mentioned that he did NOT talk to Brett in preparation for Sunday's game. That's at least one mention while past Super Bowl successes for Green Bay will be another topic. It seems almost too easy to not take the over. (OVER 2.5 -160)

Color of Gatorade dumped on winning coach... This one is always intriguing. Clear/Water used to be the selection but it has lost the last two super bowls. Yellow has been the dominant color as of late especially in the Super Bowl and BCS Championship games. Mike Tomlin was not happy after his dousing in the AFC title game so there's a small chance there may not be one at all. This is the type of prop that you can shop around for the best number though. Each book has it's own theories and it's own opinions so if you like a color, then go ahead and find a place to get it at a number you'd like. (YELLOW +150)

Now for props I'd like to see:

Number of people watching Puppy Bowl VII during halftime vs. Number of people watching the New Jersey Nets vs. Indiana Pacers -- I can honestly say there have been Super Bowls where I've turned the game off to watch Animal Planet's "Puppy Bowl." It's especially tough for someone like me who likes dogs yet can't have one in my apartment complex. The channel has promised that they are going to have chickens play cheerleaders which is very intriguing in it's own right. The Nets are averaging 12,856 people for their basketball games. The Pacers aren't exactly a big ticket team either. I think this one's pretty easy. The Nets lose again. (PUPPY BOWL!)

Number of touchdowns from Big Ben vs. Number of douchey comments from LeBron about the Super Bowl on his twitter account -- The Steelers might need Big Ben to throw often as they could struggle to run the ball on the stout Packers defense. BJ Raji, Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk are a part of a unit that has been able to slow down the rushing attack of their opposition. LeBron always seems to have something to say on his twitter account. Karma's a bitch I believe is one of his favorite things to say. He even commented on the Jay Cutler situation which he had ZERO reason to do. LeBron's commentary on everything from basketball to the Yankees to the NFL isn't always on point. I'll take Big Ben's passing TD's as this one may be 2-1. The bigger wager might be if LeBron makes any comments at all on the Super Bowl. (BIG BEN TD'S)

The Highest Scoring NCAAB game or total rushing yards by both teams -- This one is going to be tough as the majority of the games on Sunday feature defensive minded teams. The highest scoring affair figures to be Ohio State/Minnesota, but that total won't exactly be that big. The rest of the games figure to struggle to get 135 to 140 on the point total. The Steelers give up 62.8 yards per game while the Packers allow almost 115 yards per contest. The Steelers offensive line might struggle a bit without Pouncey up front so bring that number down a little. If you think these teams combine for 145 or 150 yards then go the rushing route. If you think that North Carolina/FSU or OSU/Minnesota is going to be a shootout, then play that side.

Hopefully you'll enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday. Spend Saturday trying to figure out how to get out of work on Monday.

Guess What...??? The Media Hate The Dallas Weather...

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

Full disclosure...

The HQ has been part and parcel of RNC coverage before- three, actually... 28, 33, and 34. The 34th renewal gave the HQ's home city a freak ice storm that paralyzed the city and gave the visiting media something to bitch about.

Atlanta hasn't had a sniff of another RNC since...

The Metroplex is getting the same thing this week... freakishly cold weather, but the temps should be in the 60's by the weekend.

Ya think JerryWorld will get another one down the line...???
You bet your capitalistic ass it will...

But the media are still complaining...

Casey Norton turns the camera on the credentialed...


Guys... guess what...???
The game is indoors, and if you've got a parking pass, leave early...

We covered the baseball Winter Meetings when the weather sucked. We made fun of it the whole time and took a few extra minutes to get from Point A and Point B.

It MUST be too simple a solution...

Why JerryWorld Never Loses Power This Week

Not just because Jerrih says so...

But the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI asked for an exemption for the property during "rolling blackouts" that are going on in the Metroplex during their Ice-A-Pa-Looza 2011...

Lari Barager is freezing outside with an explanation...
((HT: MyFoxDFW))

Why Cowboys Stadium Never Lost Power during Rolling Blackouts: MyFoxDFW.com

Good to know that terrorists won't disturb the BlackEyed Peas performance after all.

DEVELOPING: Tent Collapse At Cotton Bowl

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

As is part of the RNC celebration week, a lot of corporate sponsors stake out a lot of space for appeasing and partying...

But what everyone didn't see coming in was ice, snow, and 20-degree temps...
It took out a tent at the Cotton Bowl...

Here's Gary Ultee...

RNC Brings A Lot Of Media Folks To Dallas

((HT: MyFoxDFW))

And a lot of different people come from all over to cover the RNC in Dallas...
Sophia Reza tries to track them down by looking at their credentials...

Super Bowl Draws Media to North Texas: MyFoxDFW.com

Jenny The Elephant Picks Her RNC Winner

Since we can't say what the title game for tackle football is really called...
Lest we receive the wrath of The Shield...

Here's her pick...
((HT: WFAA-TV))

UPDATED: Packers fan fired over tie at Chicago car dealership....Really?

John Stone/Courtesy: alex garcia/chicago tribune

((ht: yahoosports))

Okay, this is going way too freakin' far. Apparently, a salesman at Webb Chevrolet in the Chicago area lost his job Sunday after showing up for work wearing a Green Bay Packers tie.

Yeah, seriously. Apparently his boss told him talk off the tie or he's fired.

The story from the Chicago Tribune RIGHT HERE

What's worse, the boss who fired him, didn't dispute that why he fired him. He says its because the dealership does promotional work with the Bears.

No, sorry dude, that's a really lame excuse. We all get rivalries in sports and we get that people take their sports seriously, albeit sometimes too seriously. But there is not a legitimate excuse in the world for firing someone for freely speaking.

We hope the salesman, John Stone, gets his redemption on the clowns that run the dealership. If you are firing someone strictly on that basis, you got problems. Last we checked, wearing an opponents tie isn't against the law, it's some little bitty thing called...oh...FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Apparently someone in Chicago does have a heart, and after hearing about Stone's plight, has already offered him a job.

The update from the Tribune RIGHT HERE

Let the Hype Begin: The Battle of Super Bowl team music

You knew it was only a matter of time. Musicians, YouTube artists, people who think they have talent--think they are creative or being innovative. All are appearing, seemingly out of the woodwork, with their song, their anthem, their tribute to their favorite team. Or in this case your Super Bowl teams.

In this corner, we give you HigherEducationMusic, singing Feelin' So Fly Like a Cheesehead:



And in this corner...we give you "This is Steeler country"....not quite as hip or catchy...unless you're a country music or Steelers fan...

Let the hype begin: Your first Superbowl preview of the year

The Lombardi Trophy/Courtesy: coacheshotseat.com

We might as well start now, like everyone else is. We now know who are Super Bowl teams are, and in a lot of ways, it's a pretty intriguing matchup. Two of the leagues most history laden franchises facing off in early February at Jerry World in Dallas.

Though none of our personal favorite teams are in this game, we kind of like this matchup. To quote the legendary Jim Ross "It's gonna be a Slobberknocker". Two really physical teams with two really good quarterbacks.

Though on a personal level, we feel Ben Roethlisberger is a total and complete dirt bag, he's a really good football player. Aaron Rodgers, well, he's been out of his mind most of the season and in particular in the playoffs.

However, this game will come down to defense. The Dick LeBeau coached Steeler D is legendary. Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and company will bring it. But Green Bay in their Defensive Coach Dom Capers is pretty good too.

We won't make a score prediction this early, but at least right now, we'll take Green Bay, but not by much. It may be one of the lower scoring Super Bowls we'll ever see.

Here's your game preview from JB and the boys at CBS Sports:

Polar Super Bowl! Big Game to Big Apple....

Yes, that's right. The self-proclaimed media/social/sports epicenter of the universe will actually really be that for a week in 2014.

The "New" and improved Meadowlands stadium will host the "Big Game" that the general public only gets to see on TV. The NFL "Group" of owners announced today that the Giants and Jets will have the opportunity to host what would be considered the "1st" Outdoor cold-weather Super Bowl.

The New York Daily News has more RIGHT HERE

((New Meadowlands Super Bowl Photo Illustration//Courtesy: NY Daily News))

This, quite honestly was not much of a surprise. The league has made a concerted effort to award their "Marquee" game to teams and/or towns that are either (a) in warm weather locations or (b) just built a billion dollar, taxpayer funded palace.

We look forward to the national group of writers who traditionally cover this game and find even the smallest thing to bitch about in the host city. They have complained about such things as; Jacksonville being too small...and cold and the lack of transportation (taxi's) in pretty much every city they've been in.

Yes, there has been some consternation about the "Game" being ruined by the weather and potential for a "Blizzard". So what? Deal with it. That is what the league wants and quite honestly, seeing a game played on a field with a foot of snow on it might be kind of fun.

In the meantime, enjoy one of my favorite snow game highlights of all-time. The Thanksgiving Day game when Leon Lett cost Dallas a game against Miami on a snow-covered field. Thanks You Tube:

What the Saints win means...

After the New Orleans Saints won the NFC Championship game two weeks ago, I posted a story about the reaction of my wife (The Lovely Bride), a lifelong Saints fan. I spoke about the tear in her eye when the clock struck zero and the game was over. That paled in comparison to the emotions of last night's Super Bowl.

((TLB still can't believe it//Courtesy: My Cellphone))

TLB had gone to great lengths to prepare for the game. Immediately after the NFC Championship game, she ordered the T-Shirt...not only for her, but for me, a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan. TLB had planned for a week to make a big pot of Gumbo, not from a mix or package mind you, no, she was making Gumbo and making it from scratch.

Me, I had to work in the morning. I, however set the tone for the day early. On my way home, I went to Popeye's (closest thing we can get to spicy food in Cincinnati) and got some Chicken and Red Beans and Rice.

So, the day progressed and we for the most part. Ok, me, for the most part avoided the 32 hour long CBS Pregame sponsor fest. She however started in mid-afternoon while trying to put together the Roux, an major ingredient in the Gumbo.

So, we sat down to finally watch the game...well I did. TLB couldn't watch it much early. Had a hard time, not wanting to look up as if she still couldn't believe her Saints were there. By the end of halftime she was ready. When the second half started with an onside kick...she screamed. Yes, TLB knows her football pretty well and like me and most others, were stunned that Sean Payton and the Saints had the balls to make that call.

I guess the realization of what was happening finally sunk in on the Tracy Porter interception return. She jumped from the couch faster than the cat ever could and screamed at the top of her lungs. Mind you it wasn't a "Wooooo!!!!!"...it was "OH MY GAWD, OH MY GAWD, OH MY GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!". I was both happy and scared, you know, I had that "Oh I hope the neighbors don't think we are fighting and call the cops thought".

As the 2-minute warning quit, TLB turned and had to ask "Can they (the Colts) still come back?", "No dear, it isn't likely". "Sure, we always find a way to lose like that". "Not this time, Payton Manning is good, but even he can't come back from that".

So the game ended and there we sat. After all the late-game yelling, she just sat there, crying, uncontrollably. Couldn't say anything, just cried. After a couple of minutes, TLB finally was able to call her mom in Lafayette, Louisiana and though I couldn't hear her mom, I'm pretty sure that the conversation was like this; "Oh my god!", mom-"Oh, my god", TLB- "Oh, my god, did you see it?", "Oh...oh my god".

Yes, they really did win. No, the earth is still here...at least today. As far as I know, we aren't in an alternate reality and yes, the Cubs have still never won the World Series...but one of least likely World Champions of all-time are now World Champs. New Orleans and the state of Louisiana have been through a lot. But they are getting better...getting better all the time and now they can say they are getting better and have the best team in Football. Congratulations.

Here is some celeberation from Vimeo

Saints Superbowl Victory Celebration from Cottage Films on Vimeo.

Super Wrap-Up

By now unless you've been hiding in a cave, you know that the New Orleans Saints have exercised 46 years of demons and won the Super Bowl. No, it isn't a sign of the Apocalypse, it really happened. They beat the Indianapolis Colts in a very entertaining game 31-17.

Needless to say, the state of Louisiana and the town of New Orleans in particular exploded.

Here is the first of many stories by Nola.com RIGHT HERE

((At last//Courtesy: NOLA.com))

The game itself set 6 different Super Bowl records and according to the NFL was the most watched TV show in history with an audience peaking at 153.4 million viewers and averaging 106.5 million for the broadcast.

Speaking of those viewers, they actually got to watch a broadcast from CBS that focused on the game and not the stars of their network TV shows as the other networks do to the point of overkill. The pregame show however was long, way too long. Surely some folks stayed and watch the whole thing, to them...may your brain return to solid form soon.

The Championship parade in New Orleans is scheduled for Tuesday at 5pm down Poydras Street right in front of the Superdome and in case you are wondering, will be circling the outskirts of the Bourbon Street area.

Yes, Drew Brees, the Super Bowl MVP spent the day after the game at Disney World, doing satellite interviews for most of the free civilized world. The rest of the team was set to arrive back home Monday afternoon.

Check out this video, shot on the field, courtesy of WWL-TV during the Trophy Presentation:

Here is the celebration in New Orleans...Courtesy: CNN/You Tube:

Warren Sapp appears to be a Sap...

Former NFL standout and NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp is in a bit of trouble right now. It appears that Mr. Sapp was arrested Saturday night by police and was charged with domestic battery on claims that he beat up his girlfriend.

The incident, which happened around 5am Saturday morning at the Shore Hotel in Miami Beach, resulted in his girlfriend being treated for a swollen knee and some bruises. She was transported to the hospital.

The story from SunSentinel.com RIGHT HERE

((Pictured-Warren Sapp says "What'd I do?//Picture Courtesy: TV Guide.com))

Though Sapp's innocence or guilt has not been proven, he was removed the NFL Network's broadcast from Sunday's Super Bowl game.

Sapp disputes the woman's story and according to the arrest report, was asking her to leave their Hotel room, he tried to help here get off of the couch when she fell and injured herself.

It is always someone doing something that gets them in trouble with the law on Super Bowl week and well, we guess this one is no different. Luckily, Sapp isn't playing football right now. For his sake, he needs to be found not guilty, if he actually beat the woman, he probably can kiss his NFL Network gig goodbye. Somehow, we suspect he'll still get to see the game though.

Hopefully Sapp got good at dancing out of trouble, watch him on Dancing with the Stars//Thanks You Tube: