Belated Observations From Houston

[TheoShmeo]

So having been at the game itself, and having finally gotten past the initial wave of euphoria and need to watch game highlights and you tube offerings repeatedly, I thought I would share some impressions and thoughts.

In no particular order:

- The talk about no Atlanta fans being there was wrong wrong wrong. Someone posited in the one of the threads that maybe they just drove the 12 hours from the Atlanta area or flew in later. Some clearly did the former. And while Pats fans were in the clear majority, the Falcons had plenty of rooters.

- Somewhat sadly for me, in my upper deck seat on the 30, I was surrounded on all sides by Falcons fans. Those fans were incredibly loud and surprisingly in our faces (given that we were pretty quiet and had not invited confrontation) until the worm turned.

- Those same fans got that familiar pre-2004 Red Sox fan shell shocked look once the Pats closed to 28-20. After the game was tied, you really could not hear them at all and many of them in my immediate vicinity left. Whether they left the Stadium or not, I don't know, but they left.

- I normally do not drink much at Pats games. I want to have clarity on the action and while I'll have 2-3 to take the edge off over time, I am never even close to affected. With this game going rather south, I found myself drinking pretty at a materially higher rate. I was not alone. During the latter phases of the second quarter, the half-time show and parts of the third quarter, there were a good amount of Pats fans outside on the cement concourse, smoking, drinking and monitoring the game through the glass and the TVs inside halls.

- Like the Pats players, there was a lot of brave talk out there. A few people pronounced them dead but most said the now well worn "if anyone can do this, it's Brady..." For me, being out there and not around the celebrating Atlanta fans was much needed therapy. I am manic normally about not missing a play and good piss management so I am always present. This game was just different in that regard.

- As to the halftime, I'm happy to say that not only did I not see Lady Gaga, I never heard a single note. Behind the glass doors and on the outside concourse, I could not hear it. Maybe it's my thing, but the Patriots being in the SB is serious business for me. I love U2 but walked around during their show at SB 36 because I had oo much nervous energy to sit there. In any event, I'm glad I stayed outside and shot the shit with other Pats fans...and can't fathom staying inside for that. Different strokes and all, I get it. But I can't begin to understand staying in there, especially given the state of that game. A lot of Pats fans seemed to think similarly.

- I knew immediately from my seat that Julian had caught the ball. Perfect angle. I had zero worry that it would be overturned. I'm guessing those watching on TV were not that worried either.

- Walking in we saw Mark Teixiera taking pics with some Pats fans. My 23-year old son without any warning jumped in front of Teixiera and yelled "Let's Go Red Sox" before the retired Yankee scurried away. Proud father moment.

- The game winning moment was, needless to say, a huge burst of euphoria. Again, I assume that's not a lot different than what was experienced by those at home, but having withstood the Atlanta fans and just being there, it was incredibly intense. It reminded me a lot of how I felt when Papi's homer went over that criminal Sheffield's head in game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. Different kind of game but a walk off is a walk off.

- One of my favorite moments was walking down the ramps after the game. I've been lucky enough to have been at 4 Pats SB wins. That walk down with other fans chanting and hugging and just being in a state of delirious happiness is really worth the price of admission.

- As much as I enjoyed the SB experience and feel incredibly fortunate to have been there, being in Foxboro for a Patriots AFCCG win is in many ways more enjoyable. Not in the ultimate finality sense but being among mostly Pats fans in your home stadium is truly special. If, if, if the Pats are in the same position next year (and as a fan since the Plunkett days, I am acutely aware that nothing is promised and I take nothing for granted), I think I would just do the AFCCG. Famous last words and I reserve the right to change my mind. But again, being at a home game is in many ways better. (And of course, less expensive and less of a logistical hassle in getting there and dealing with rental cars, etc.)

- People say Pats fans are spoiled or whatever. The overwhelming sense I got from those on hand was an incredible feeling of good fortune and appreciation. Pats fans were confident going in. But the fans I spoke with before, during and after all had that "I can't freaking believe this situation" thing going. If Pats fans are entitled, Yankees fan like nitwits (and not all such fans, of course, just the model for that concept), I was not getting that from the people I met in Houston.

I'm sure I could add more impressions but that's it for now. I might add to this later.

And if others on site have anything to add, that would be great.

(Made some edits for clarity)

 

[4 6 3 DP]

Cool thread. Would like to second many of those thoughts.

I don't drink much. I had probably a month's worth or more during halftime. I also missed Gaga and was in a complete daze as to what happened.

One thing that's hard to explain about being at a game like that is that you're not surrounded by fellow fans - you have to watch the opponent celebrate. By its nature it made it harder for me to buy all the way into the comeback. At 28-20 we were quietly celebrating. After the stop to get the ball back, a little more, but not until the penalty was announced as offsides on Atlanta and the game was tied were we able to genuinely exhale. I would have been far more demonstrative if not surrounded by Atlanta fans.

And everyone there was just saying "what the hell happened"...it was one of those things that we all experienced in our own way, but we were all so damn shocked.

I have been to every playoff game since 2015 except the Denver abomination last year - I'd rate as a fan experience them in this order.

1. Indy AFCCG - the second half was literally like a concert, celebrating in the rain. We didn't know what Goodell and his thugs would try to do to ruin it for us.

2. Pitt AFCCG - again, the last 10 minutes were a party, celebrating this most amazing of dynasty runs.

3. Seattle SB - We were in the game for 60 minutes, even if the last minute felt like getting led to an execution. Katy Perry was pretty cool.

4. Atlanta SB - First quarter was fine, next 25 or so game minutes a full blown nightmare, no Gaga, wasn't really enjoyable until Brady got the ball on the 9 to go down and try to tie. Plus Houston as a SB city sucked.

5. Baltimore 2015 - Great game, even if we were awful for a while during it. I could easily put it third on the list, except the feeling of winning a SB is incomparable.

6. Tie between KC 2016 and HOU 2017 - both mediocre games against mediocre opponents without a lot of intensity in the stadium.

 

[Red Averages]

- Walking in we saw Mark Teixiera taking pics with some Pats fans. My 23-year old son without any warning jumped in front of Teixiera and yelled "Let's Go Red Sox" before the retired Yankee scurried away. Proud father moment.
.

I will never understand the appeal of this, or the encouragement of the behavior. Teixiera is out at a football game on his personal time, is doing something nice by posing with Patriots fans for a picture and your son runs up to this perfect stranger, who has never done any harm to him, and yells in his face. And that's a proud father moment? Interesting.

 

[E5 Yaz]

There's a certain age ... up to about 13 or so ... where kids can be funny or cute doing something like that. But 23?

 

[PayrodsFirstClutchHit]

It's not like the "kid" ran up and said "Go fuck yourself, Barbaro!". He yelled "Let's Go Red Sox".

You guys can offer your thoughts and prayers, but I fail to see this as a travesty in need of a telethon.

 

[BigSoxFan]

It's not like the "kid" ran up and said "Go fuck yourself, Barbaro!". He yelled "Let's Go Red Sox".

You guys can offer your thoughts and prayers, but I fail to see this as a travesty in need of a telethon.

My monocle didn't fall off when I read the post but if you're going to do something like that, you have to at least be witty about it.

"Let's go Red Sox" is just meh. I mean, I bet Teixeira could give 2 shits about the rivalry now that he's done.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I will never understand the appeal of this, or the encouragement of the behavior. Teixiera is out at a football game on his personal time, is doing something nice by posing with Patriots fans for a picture and your son runs up to this perfect stranger, who has never done any harm to him, and yells in his face. And that's a proud father moment? Interesting.

Yikes. I guess it wouldn't be SoSH if we weren't picking on a side point.

My son is a pretty mild mannered kid. He's actually quite well mannered. So you can imagine my surprise when he did that. Having had no control over it before it happened, and Teixiera having been a bit of a running joke in my house during his Yankee years (Buzz Lightyear), all I could do was laugh when he did it. I guess I was using a little poetic license when I wrote "proud father." Would I have told him to do it in advance? No. Did it somehow strike my funny bone that he did it? Yes, it did. It still does, just the sight of him doing it. So ridiculous and unexpected.

And did I miss the parenting opportunity to say "when you next come across a random MFY at a big event, or another opposing player some other analogous situation, be civil"? I guess I did.

For now, I'd rather talk about the Patriots game.

 

[Archer1979]

My monocle didn't fall off when I read the post but if you're going to do something like that, you have to at least be witty about it.

"Let's go Red Sox" is just meh. I mean, I bet Teixeira could give 2 shits about the rivalry now that he's done.

If it needs to be done, and I'm certainly not condoning the behavior by any means,but I actually kinda like "Go fuck yourself Barbaro!" over "Let's Go Red Sox!" We should poll this one out.

 

[InstaFace]

Yeah, let he who views their own child's actions through something other than a generous-and-charitable lens cast the first stone.

If you're going to tease him over something in his post, did he really not give you enough fodder?

I am manic normally about not missing a play and good piss management so I am always present.

And thank god for that!

- Somewhat sadly for me, in my upper deck seat on the 30, I was surrounded on all sides by Falcons fans.
(...)
- I knew immediately from my seat that Julian had caught the ball. Perfect angle. I had zero worry that it would be overturned.

Why aren't you using your superhuman vision for Good or for Awesome?

I've been lucky enough to have been at 4 Pats SB wins. That walk down with other fans chanting and hugging and just being in a state of delirious happiness is really worth the price of admission.

An expensive drug even for those who can afford it, I suppose. Thanks for having our best interests at heart!

(etc etc - it's shooting fish in a barrel)

 

[ilol@u]

He yelled Let's Go Red Sox. Not "You Suck." Don't see a problem with this. If I saw Peyton Manning at a sporting event, I'm sure many would smile and say "Go Pats!" Not a big deal.

Thanks Theo for your thoughts. I had a close friend who was at the game echo similar comments (the stadium being ~40% Falcon Fans 55% Patriot fans and 5% others, having to endure trash talk by surrounding fans, the Edelman catch being obvious)

 

[Archer1979]

By the way, isn't it great that we can rank the wins now. It beats the hell out of choosing which Super Bowl loss was worse - Chicago or Green Bay? "Dent was good, but Desmond Howard broke our back..."

 

[TheoShmeo]

Yeah, let he who views their own child's actions through something other than a generous-and-charitable lens cast the first stone.

If you're going to tease him over something in his post, did he really not give you enough fodder?



And thank god for that!



Why aren't you using your superhuman vision for Good or for Awesome?



An expensive drug even for those who can afford it, I suppose. Thanks for having our best interests at heart!

(etc etc - it's shooting fish in a barrel)

I think the teasing over my son's thing was actually better!

Good piss management is HUGE at a live event. You have to know where the nearest pissatorium is and plan your visits so as not to miss a play. This is fundamental.

As to the Edelman catch, I was looking straight down at it, as he was on my side of the field and was on the 41 while I was around the 30. I'd like to claim some special skill but everyone around me knew it was a catch. I was glad that Quinn challenged it. "Good, wasted challenge, loss of a TO. Thank you." It bears some emphasis that the upper deck at NRG is a lot lower than the upper deck in Foxboro...and we were in a low row.

And yep, walking down the ramps with a Lombardi in hand is very high on my list. In fairness, I guess I would not pay just for that. More poetic license.

 

[InstaFace]

Good piss management is HUGE at a live event. You have to know where the nearest pissatorium is and plan your visits so as not to miss a play. This is fundamental.

This could perhaps be a P&G thread of its own, but my priority in piss management is to not go when everyone else decides to go (and thereby create 20-minute lines for the men's room). At baseball games, I will often go to the top of the stands when there are 2 outs specifically to get a jump on lines. I can't imagine trying to time it so as not to miss a play in a football game - sounds like a recipe for disaster. I'd probably go to the top of the stands when someone has 1st and goal, and the second they score the TD, head back. That at least gives you ~10 minutes to slog through the line before the next play from scrimmage.

Even worse are lines for beer at NFL stadiums. Colored a bit by my times at Giants Stadium I suppose, but I'm pretty sure it's impossible to get drinks and not miss watching some plays live. If you have cracked the code and you're the Neo of optimizing your stadium experience, kudos, but it feels like an impossible task from here.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

That is a situation where a condom catheter is the way to go.

 

[bernardsamuel]

Perhaps I'm disqualified from commenting upon the topic of good piss management, as in my old age (honest to Gronkowski, I'm 69) my nightly sleep of six hours is divided into three portions separated by two bathroom excursions. So let me harken back to when I was substantially younger, presuming that my failing memory can return to being intact for just this one moment. Presuming that which enters the digestive tract must mostly leave it sooner or later (with later being more likely for the younger folks), would not the strategy of good piss management be grounded in the concept of minimizing liquid (presumptively meaning alcohol for the most part, given the venue) intake? You can only optimize, not maximize, good piss management if you're going to be drinking during the game. Personally, I've never had anything to drink while attending a sporting event (subject to memory constraints as noted above), as the potential risk of missing out on a key play outweighed the potential of the liquid-generated buzz. YMMV, but don't drink and drive.

Beyond all that, kudos to Theo for opening a magnificent thread!

 

[Dehere]

- I normally do not drink much at Pats games. I want to have clarity on the action and while I'll have 2-3 to take the edge off over time, I am never even close to affected. With this game going rather south, I found myself drinking pretty at a materially higher rate. I was not alone. During the latter phases of the second quarter, the half-time show and parts of the third quarter, there were a good amount of Pats fans outside on the cement concourse, smoking, drinking and monitoring the game through the glass and the TVs inside halls.

I didn't see this with my own eyes but one friend who was credentialed for the game walked by the drunk tank in the bowels of NRG Stadium during the second half and said it was packed and it was 100% Pats fans.

Can you imagine? Pay four figures for a ticket to the Super Bowl, watch your team get demolished for a half, get so shitbagged in your depression that you actually get yourself arrested, then spend the greatest comeback of all time in a fucking holding cell where all you can do is hear the crowd. That's about as bad as it gets.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I didn't see this with my own eyes but one friend who was credentialed for the game walked by the drunk tank in the bowels of NRG Stadium during the second half and said it was packed and it was 100% Pats fans.

Can you imagine? Pay four figures for a ticket to the Super Bowl, watch your team get demolished for a half, get so shitbagged in your depression that you actually get yourself arrested, then spend the greatest comeback of all time in a fucking holding cell where all you can do is hear the crowd. That's about as bad as it gets.

Happily for me, at least, I was not anywhere close to that level at any point. And once the Pats added the field goal to make is 28-12, I stopped drinking entirely. But yeah, I can imagine the scenario you painted. The drinking was, in part, a salve to regrets about having dropped so many American dollars to see the Pats get housed in the biggest sporting event anywhere.

PS: Thanks bernardsamuel.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I posted this in game thread. Can you find yourself?

https://gigapixel.panoramas.com/superbowl/2017/

 

[staz]

I posted this in game thread. Can you find yourself?

https://gigapixel.panoramas.com/superbowl/2017/

This is a trip.

Also, like 50% are buried in their phones.

edit: found Tirico hanging with all of his friends:

 

[bigsid05]

This is a trip.

Also, like 50% are buried in their phones.

edit: found Tirico hanging with all of his friends:

They said they were going to announce when the picture was going to be taken but I don't believe they ever did. I had no idea, fortunately I'm looking out at the field instead of focusing on my phone.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Listening to the 98.5 rebroadcast of the last hour, Zolak was calling out Ryan for the pass to Jones at 28-20 that is often intercepted / not caught if it isn't to Juilo, as well as a "chuck throw" on the INT out of bounds at the end of regulation.

Once Ryan was strip sacked and actually had to finish the game off, Ryan finally melted under the pressure, playing horribly. People complain about the OT coin toss but there is a good chance we stop them cold, great chance they do not score a TD and we were scoring a TD no matter what. Some of that is his OL not being full strength, some of it is Shanahan, but in the end.. .Matty may have a MVP now but the big-game pressure questions are officially still open for Mr. Ice.

 

[reggiecleveland]

Even just taking a sack when Hightower came in probably wins the game.

 

[joe dokes]

That is a situation where a condom catheter is the way to go.

https://www.stadiumpal.com/

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Cool thread. Would like to second many of those thoughts.

I don't drink much. I had probably a month's worth or more during halftime. I also missed Gaga and was in a complete daze as to what happened.

One thing that's hard to explain about being at a game like that is that you're not surrounded by fellow fans - you have to watch the opponent celebrate. By its nature it made it harder for me to buy all the way into the comeback. At 28-20 we were quietly celebrating. After the stop to get the ball back, a little more, but not until the penalty was announced as offsides on Atlanta and the game was tied were we able to genuinely exhale. I would have been far more demonstrative if not surrounded by Atlanta fans.

It's funny, we were toying with the idea of trying to make it to the game this year, and ultimately this was the deciding factor. Three of the four home playoff games the last two Super Bowl years (Baltimore, Indy, Pitt) have been three of the best experiences of my life as a fan, and much of that is that shared camaraderie in the stands amongst the fans. Ultimately I didn't feel like spending the dough to get to Houston to be surrounded by Falcons fans or corporate types who don't care either way who wins.

Of course I am probably scarred by my last in-person Super Bowl which is the Game That Shall not Be Named. Getting out of the stadium that day, waiting in a ridiculous line to get on a bus and get back to my car surrounded by celebrating Giants fans was one of the worst experiences of my life.

 

[bigsid05]

It's funny, we were toying with the idea of trying to make it to the game this year, and ultimately this was the deciding factor. Three of the four home playoff games the last two Super Bowl years (Baltimore, Indy, Pitt) have been three of the best experiences of my life as a fan, and much of that is that shared camaraderie in the stands amongst the fans. Ultimately I didn't feel like spending the dough to get to Houston to be surrounded by Falcons fans or corporate types who don't care either way who wins.

Of course I am probably scarred by my last in-person Super Bowl which is the Game That Shall not Be Named. Getting out of the stadium that day, waiting in a ridiculous line to get on a bus and get back to my car surrounded by celebrating Giants fans was one of the worst experiences of my life.

It was feeling like a total waste when they were on the verge of being blown out, but being there in person for the comeback will be something I never forget. That said, I think being at 42 would have absolutely scarred me as well.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Two things.

- I was at SB 42 and it was indeed horrendous. I managed to avoid the Giants fans at the end as we stood by the stairs in our section as the last play happened and then ran across the concourse, down the stairs to the parking lot and to our rental car. We were in the car before most Giants fans had begun to exit. If I had the RalphWiggum experience, I never would have returned to another SB.

- corporate types (as opposed to NFC team fans) are pretty easy to avoid if you sit in the upper deck; I prefer that in most stadiums because you get the panoramic, birds' eye view of the game; but I especially prefer it for SBs as most comped patrons are almost always sitting downstairs.

All that said, this experience, having reduced some of my thoughts to writing and reading the comments here crystallizes my view that as great as that ending was in person this year, I am extremely unlikely to go back to a SB. Unless, of course, it's in Foxboro and the Pats are in it!

 

[Ralphwiggum]

I went to Game 7 in the toilet in 2004 which was the ultimate "surrounded by the enemy, this is going to really, really suck if they don't win" game of my adult life, so there was definitely a time in my life where I felt differently than I do now. I absolutely needed to be there in person to see the Pats finish off an undefeated season 9 years ago. But now, I'm just not sure I would do it again, and 42 is probably the main reason for that. The Super Bowl is just a different animal than a World Series Game at Fenway, for example.

As great as the comeback was on TV, I can only imagine being there watching it live. Congrats to those of you who made the trek.

 

[DJnVa]

I posted this in game thread. Can you find yourself?

https://gigapixel.panoramas.com/superbowl/2017/

 

[Hambone]

Some jerk is standing in front of me, but that's my knee

 

[InstaFace]

I posted this in game thread. Can you find yourself?

https://gigapixel.panoramas.com/superbowl/2017/

Charles Manson in the middle here is actually my boss (he picked himself out for me, though why I'm not sure).

Spoiler

This is a pretty cool thing they did, they should do it at every major sporting event. I wonder how much it costs the venue, if anything.

 

[dbn]

Looking at the scoreboard (and the heaps of empty seats) I assume that was taken 39 minutes and 21 seconds before kickoff?

 

[Dan Murfman]

Looking at the scoreboard (and the heaps of empty seats) I assume that was taken 39 minutes and 21 seconds before kickoff?

All the scoreboards have different times. 39:21, 39:06, 38:44 and 38:20.

 

[dbn]

All the scoreboards have different times. 39:21, 39:06, 38:44 and 38:20.

Okay, now I'm going to search the image for Dr. Who.

 

[BuellMiller]

I found Waldo! http://pano.ly/5b7h

 

[ifmanis5]

Can't find Gisele.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

How about Chrissy Teigen?

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

Charles Manson in the middle here is actually my boss (he picked himself out for me, though why I'm not sure).

Spoiler

This is a pretty cool thing they did, they should do it at every major sporting event. I wonder how much it costs the venue, if anything.

The Patriots do it for every home game

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

They did the where's waldo shot for the NCAA championship game a few years ago, also at NRG (then Reliant). It was pretty cool, because you could order a picture with the final score and your picture on the scoreboard. So, we have a picture where it looks like DDB Jr. and I are on the scoreboard for the Kemba Walker national championship.

I've only been to two Patriots playoff games. The Scottish Game and the AFCCG against the Ravens. DDB Jr. believed the Patriots would win the Scottish Game right up until the last play, and when they didn't, he just completely broke down. Actually, most Giants fans were decent to a sobbing little kid doing the walk of shame out of the stadium, but some were jerks. It felt kind of cruel to have brought him and I was prepared not to put us in that position again but relented for the AFFCG five years later. We took the Patriots Train back to our hotel after the game (which they held up for like 45 minutes in case there were any Ravens fans who were relying on the train who stayed for the trophy ceremony), and that sucked pretty bad too. I've decided since then, no mas. I'm not inclined to go to any more, and I actually turned down face value tickets this year for the Super Bowl.

 

[Byrdbrain]

Can't find Gisele.

I looked too and couldn't find her, I imagine she was hanging out somewhere private half an hour before the game.
I did find Marky Mark, the Krafts and Jerry Jones all hanging out on the field though so there is that.

 

[BigSoxFan]

They did the where's waldo shot for the NCAA championship game a few years ago, also at NRG (then Reliant). It was pretty cool, because you could order a picture with the final score and your picture on the scoreboard. So, we have a picture where it looks like DDB Jr. and I are on the scoreboard for the Kemba Walker national championship.

I've only been to two Patriots playoff games. The Scottish Game and the AFCCG against the Ravens. DDB Jr. believed the Patriots would win the Scottish Game right up until the last play, and when they didn't, he just completely broke down. Actually, most Giants fans were decent to a sobbing little kid doing the walk of shame out of the stadium, but some were jerks. It felt kind of cruel to have brought him and I was prepared not to put us in that position again but relented for the AFFCG five years later. We took the Patriots Train back to our hotel after the game (which they held up for like 45 minutes in case there were any Ravens fans who were relying on the train who stayed for the trophy ceremony), and that sucked pretty bad too. I've decided since then, no mas. I'm not inclined to go to any more, and I actually turned down face value tickets this year for the Super Bowl.

I was in a Giants section for SB42 and got lots of drunk taunting after the game. Thankfully, I was kind of numb from shock long enough to allow me to leave the stadium before the rage set in.

Four years later, I turned down an offer to go to SB46 and was just fine with the decision given how it went.

 

[Super Nomario]

A few ITP pieces on the Super Bowl we ran this week:

@Reverend wrote about how public skepticism of the Patriots' success suggests a disturbing lack of faith in excellence: http://insidethepylon.com/nfl/teams-nfl/afc-east/new-england-patriots/2017/02/08/americas-team/

Joseph Ferraiola broke down James White's contributions: http://insidethepylon.com/nfl/teams-nfl/afc-east/new-england-patriots/2017/02/13/james-white-job/

I took a look at a double slot blitz the Pats ran late and suggested blitzing was the safe play there: http://insidethepylon.com/nfl/teams-nfl/afc-east/new-england-patriots/2017/02/14/when-blitzing-is-the-safest-play/

 

[Tony C]

https://www.stadiumpal.com/

Have never been the biggest David Sedaris fan....but now I am. Damn funny.

 

[Dehere]

A couple very late observations of my own.

This was my 14th Super Bowl. I count myself pretty fortunate to have a job that essentially requires me to be there every year. Even having been to a good number of them now I still find the experience inexpressibly exciting. At my first SB I thought I was literally going to throw up from just the sheer level of collective excitement in the building. I've never really lost that feeling. This year I was actually on the field until just prior to the national anthem and I kid you not, my hands were shaking. The 30 minutes prior to a Super Bowl are unlike anything else I've experienced just in terms of human energy at a fever pitch.

Whatever responsibilities I have at the SB are all really in the days before and day after the game. On game day I don't have that much to do, which is awesome. I'm credentialed and I get to bounce around the stadium, see as many people as I can and try to experience the SB from different vantages. For the comeback I was in one of the Fox suites where commercials for the overtime were being sold frantically while the Pats drove for the tying score and Katie Nolan was basically melting down from excitement. Really memorable scene. I stayed up there for the trophy presentation. I think the booing of Goodell was the loudest moment of the entire game. Super Bowl crowds have a reputation for being quiet but I don't think that's totally accurate. I think the SB crowds have become better over the years. In recent years it's become sort of a power move for some people to come in for the parties and business and then leave before the game, which I think has allowed some more tickets to get into the hands of real fans.

After the trophy presentation I got down to the field level and cut across the field. I tried not to stay down there too long because it's a madhouse and there are plenty of people down there trying to do legitimate jobs, but the finish of the game had been so amazing I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go down there and take it all in. There was a moment where I just stood back and watched Brady exit through the tunnel surrounded by what had to be 100 photographers and I was able to just appreciate it: the greatest player ever walking off the field after the greatest comeback of all time. That's a picture I don't think I'll forget.

Later that night I got to briefly hang out with a couple SOSHers at a laid back party and it was cool to catch some of their reflective glory. I'm not a Pats fan myself although I'm in awe of TB and BB and I was happy as hell for the Pats and their fans.

As Super Bowl cities go Houston was all right. Middle of the pack in my experience. Decent weather, not too hard getting around, nice stadium, nice people, got to a couple good restaurants. Our hotel was kind of a shitshow all week with tons of scalpers crowding the bar but that's what you sign up for if your hotel is at the center of everything.

On Saturday afternoon I met a couple guys for lunch at the Four Seasons and wow, if you're ever in the Super Bowl city and you can stop by the FS for a drink it's a pretty amazing scene. During lunch I saw four NFL owners, a high ranking congressman, a couple hall of famers including Jim Brown who drew a round of applause as he walked through, and a steady procession of breathtaking women. Pretty high-flying room for a punter like me.

One other quick story that's kind of gross but I'll tell it anyway. A friend of mine was at a party on Friday night where he apparently went to the bathroom and dropped an epic deuce. As he left the next person to walk into his stall was Sean Hannity, and he said he saw Hannity make a face at the smell in the stall. It was absolutely the highlight of this guy's Super Bowl weekend that Sean Hannity had to smell his shit. He must have brought it up ten times over the next couple days.

To state the obvious the Super Bowl is an amazing experience start to finish. I hope I get to keep going for a lot more years to come. It's become incredibly expensive for anyone going on their own dime and yet I think it's actually worth it. If you make it to LII, well, look me up.

 

[MuppetAsteriskTalk]

Hannity having to smell your friends deuce has also brought me great joy. Thanks for posting!

 

[Gorton Fisherman]

Actually I think Hannity always looks that way.

@Dehere, if you don't mind saying, what line of work are you in?