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Pro Bowl practice prelude to Super Bowl
By Scary Barry Rodriguez January 30, 2010 |
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Lockhart stadium, Ft. Lauderdale January 30, 2010 On this day the practice was markedly different because it was open to the public. The closest these fans would get to these players or the Super Bowl would usually be the old trusty television. The crowd was hanging out of the stands and pressed against the barricades waiting for a glimpse of the NFC and AFC squads. The local security recruited for this event seemed confused making the end of my no brainer trip to the venue complicated. The usual media suspects were in attendance as the Scaryone trolled the sidelines for scraps of worthwhile information. Over there was former great Dan Fouts. Looking in the other direction I saw former Oakland Raider and Tampa Bay Buccaneer head coach Jon Gruden. The team cheerleaders posed for photos like decorations for the day. Little children clutched miniature footballs hoping to snag their favorite player's autograph. The sky changed from rainclouds to sun. The weather as uncertain as the local economy. The players made grand entrances mostly ignoring the fans. Upon arrival they were swamped by the media mob. For the veteran Pro Bowlers it was old news for the newbies it was a mixed blessing. Both the NFC and AFC squads went through their paces, horsing around with team mascots, renewing old acquaintances and doing the football thing. Something was missing. That something was Hawaii! The vibe was strip mall not tropical paradise. The NFL players weren't walking around this place or sipping cool drinks at the local bar near the beach. NFL Roger Goodell and his advisors missed the boat with their two for the price of one mentality. The working class fans are being shortchanged. The players aren't required to make the scene and the Super Bowl is getting the lion's share of the publicity. Having the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl or outside of Hawaii doesn't make sense. The winners get to brag about their success, the losers can forget the season while soaking up the island sun and for the player's families and the fans it’s a vacation. The Scary one is having a tough time feeling jazzed about the Pro Bowl in its temporary location. Sometimes for something no change is better than saving a buck! |
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