SUPER BOWL SPECIAL YOUR 12-PAGE GUIDE T O THE BIG GAME
Los Angeles Rams v New England Patriots Su nd ay, Febru ar y 3, k ick- 0 f f 6. 30 pm
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‘I WILL HAVE TO GO AGAINST THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
I
just want to mention this for the record: I love my Los Angeles Dodgers, but I don’t think I’ve gotten over the bitter loss to the Boston Red Sox in the Major League World Series last year. So while I’m not ashamed to say that I’m not a big fan of the LA Lakers in the National Basketball Association (I’m a die-hard Philadelphia 76er and I’m not prepared to trade them in, not even with Lebron James wearing the purple and gold uniform), after picking the Philadelphia Eagles to win over the New England Patriots last year, I think I will have to go against the Los Angeles Rams this year. It’s going to be hard to beat coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady two consecutive years. I think the Patriots have learnt from the devastating 41-33 loss to the Eagles and have bounced back in fine form for their ninth Super Bowl appearance. Father time has caught up with Brady and Belichick and as the old school champs from the east coast, I don’t think they will allow the new kids on the block, the west coast champions Rams, coach Sean McVay, quarterback Jared Goff and possibly
the NFL’s best running back Todd Gurley, to derail them again. There’s something about being 40-something and still playing competitively in any sport. In the case of Brady, at 41, this has been a special year in that he has rewritten the record books so he must as well culminate it with the hoisting of the 22-inch Vince Lombardi trophy one more time. Hopefully this time around the Patriots, with the return of some familiar faces in wide receiver Julian Edelman and tight end Rob Gronkowski back together again, can add some local flavour by helping Bahamian wide receiver Philip Dorsett to finally get his $30,000 championship ring and the extra $110,000 in bonus or $56,000 as the runners-up. Bahamians have not had much to celebrate for one of their own in any major sports since Rick Fox capped off a threepeat with the Lakers (yet the Los Angeles team everybody is starting to like again) in 2002. Of course, Fox’s feat with the Lakers from 2000 was a carbon copy of Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson’s two-time triumph with those same Lakers from 1987-1988. Of course there was another time to rejoice for a Bahamian descent as Thompson’s son, Klay Thompson, wracked up
three NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, the latest coming just last year as they repeated from 2017 and added the first one in 2015. I know, I know I didn’t want to say too much about Los Angeles because I’m still getting over my frustration from my Dodgers losing the Major League title last year. I guess I would be a little relieved if the Los Angeles Rams, behind Goff and Gurley, can provide enough firepower to lead McVay’s offence to their fourth franchise championship victory, albeit in the franchise has won in three different cities in Cleveland in 1945, Los Angeles in 1951 and St Louis in 1999. This would also be their second Super Bowl appearance against New England, losing that initial encounter 20–17 in
A FAN holds a commemorative helmet while waiting in line to have a photo taken with the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the NFL Experience ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl 53 between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. (AP Photo/David Goldman) 2001. I predict that it will be around the same score 18 years later, so embrace yourself for a real humdinger. If that is not enough, then gear yourself up like I do for the commercials, especially at halftime. I think I get a kick watching which company is more innovative than the other in producing what is colloquially known as Super Bowl ads.
Truth be told, I’m like many who only watch the game for those advertisements which have become iconic and wellknown because of their cinematographic quality, unpredictability, surreal humour and use of special effects. There’s nothing like being glued to the television for at least 15 minutes with some hors d’oevres and a cold refreshing
drink to wash it down while reflecting on the first half of action in the game and predicting the outcome of the second half. I’m not a gambling man either, but I have my “horses in the race” on the Brady-Belichick show as the Patriots pull this one off for old times’ sake. For what it’s worth, I will make a prediction that they will win by six points over the Rams.
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ATLANTA SPARED REPEAT OF ICE WHICH FROZE 2000 SUPER BOWL By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta has dodged a repeat of the ice storm which marred its previous Super Bowl. When an ice storm blanketed Atlanta before the Super Bowl in 2000, the fear was the NFL wouldn’t want to bring the game back. Atlanta’s $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium was a game-changer. The new building, which opened in 2017, is the reason the city is hosting Sunday’s Super Bowl 53. The weather is on Atlanta’s side for Sunday’s Rams-Patriots game. There was a hard freeze Tuesday night, but no snow and no significant black ice. The forecast calls for a high near 60 on Sunday. The new stadium’s fancy retractable roof may be open for at least a portion of the game.
Anyone who attended the 2000 game knows how important it was for Atlanta, and for the NFL, to avoid another frozen mess. The ice storm 19 years ago made it difficult for fans to drive into the city or safely walk to events surrounding the stadium. The ice and cold also affected the players on the teams in 2000. Practice plans were altered, including a walkthrough in the team hotel ballroom. “I recall we’re going to Atlanta for the Super Bowl and then it’s freezing outside and we needed heaters at practice,” said Kurt Warner, who was the quarterback for the then-St Louis Rams, who beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16. “The Saturday walkthrough, instead of having it out at the stadium we ended up doing some of that stuff in the ballroom, with the conditions and all. It was not exactly how I thought it would be.”
ICE forms on a street sign on the campus of Morris Brown College following an overnight ice storm in Atlanta on January 23, 2000. (AP) Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay was one of the Atlanta-based fans affected by the freezing weather in 2000. Then only 14, McVay was already accustomed to Atlanta’s traffic woes. Thanks to the ice, McVay said his family’s drive to the old Georgia Dome was much worse than normal. “I know Atlanta traffic is always a nightmare, but it was especially bad that day,” McVay said.
“It took us forever to get into the Georgia Dome at the time.” There were serious worries about the weather this week, and for good cause. Ice turned Atlanta interstates into a demolition derby in 2014, leaving motorists stranded overnight on the Interstate 285 which serves as the perimeter around the city. This week, another daunting winter weather forecast prompted Georgia authorities to close
government offices, Atlanta schools and cancel flights on Tuesday. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald chuckled at all the commotion. He said he had no concerns about a repeat of the 2000 weather mess. “This weather is not bad at all,” Donald said. “It rains and y’all want to shut stuff down. I’m from Pittsburgh, so this ain’t bad.” It’s not as if Atlanta has sole claim to winter weather. Other Super Bowl cities, including Dallas, have been burdened with bad weather. Atlanta is eager to show its sunny side to its Super Bowl crowd and TV audience. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Atlanta is on track for a good show. “Atlanta has done an incredible job,” Goodell said at his state of the league news conference. “We’re early in the week, but we see no
reason why this isn’t going to be a great Super Bowl.” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Sunday’s game will be “a great showcase for Atlanta.” “Atlanta is going to do a wonderful job putting its best foot forward,” Blank said. The next big question: Will the city face another 19-year wait before the Super Bowl returns? Goodell bragged on the city — and its new stadium. “As it relates to when we come back, as you know they get more and more competitive as more and more cities want to host the Super Bowl,” Goodell said. “We think that’s great, but it is a challenge for us to meet all those demands. “I also believe not only is this city incredibly important to us, I believe the new stadium is one I think everyone will marvel at. I think it is an extraordinary stage for all of us.”
NFL SECURITY CHIEF: NO THREATS TO THE BIG DANCE HAVE SURFACED By JEFF MARTIN Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — The National Football League is not aware of any security threats against the Super Bowl, now four days away, the league’s top security officer said. “We have no credible or specific threats that have been brought to our attention,” NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier said. She spoke at a news conference in host city Atlanta alongside the nation’s Homeland Security secretary as well as state and local law officers. Outside, low-flying helicopters swooped over Atlanta’s downtown and police patrolled the streets on horseback, bicycles and
on foot. On the ground, trained police canines sniffed visitors to some hotels and other buildings. The New England Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl on Sunday. Despite the recently ended partial government shutdown, Homeland Security employees are committed to keeping the Super Bowl secure, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said. “Protecting an event such as the Super Bowl is no easy task,” Nielsen said. “I want to make clear that despite last month’s lapse in funding, DHS employees are and have been committed to
POLICE on horseback patrol past Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of Sunday’s NFL Super Bowl 53. (AP Photo/David Goldman) keeping our nation and be on the ground and Super Bowl 53 secure,” joining local and state she added. police and other agenMore than 600 employ- cies, Nielsen said. “We’ve ees from her agency will conducted more than 100 be protecting the city, she different physical and said. cybersecurity assessments US Secret Service offic- and conducted outreach ers and members of the activities ... so that any Coast Guard also will vulnerabilities can be
addressed before they are exploited,” Nielsen said. “Part of what we bring to bear is our expertise in the tactics and techniques that potential adversaries could bring against events such as these in crowded places.” The US Department of Energy advised residents not to be alarmed by lowflying choppers equipped with radiation-sensing technology. The aim is to measure naturally occurring radiation to establish baseline levels — a routine step in securing major events, the agency said. Air space in the area of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be restricted and drones will not be allowed to fly.
City police officers are working 12-hour shifts and aim to be highly visible, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields said. For local police, the greatest concerns in recent days have been the weather and traffic, and weather conditions are expected to improve in the days before the Super Bowl. Shields urged motorists to use public transportation, which would keep some cars off the streets. “If you must drive, please, please, please secure any valuables and your firearms prior to coming,” Shields said. She said police are relying on the public to call 911 if anything seems suspicious.
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LIII SUPER BOWL
A BATTLE FOR THE
AGES By A R N I E S TA P L E TO N
A P P R O F O OT B A L L W R I T E R
In Super Bowl 53, it’s the old guard versus the vanguard
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Naughty’s game guide A BEER FOR BRADY
Food and drink for the big day
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA
I KNOW there must be ‘munchies’ to snack on throughout. I’m no fan of dips: unless it’s a personal serving, there are far too many nasty ‘double dippers’ roaming around. So here’s a recipe for a can’t miss snack for your Super Bowl menu. And if you noticed my buddy Jack Daniels wasn’t on the bar, it’s because he’s in the kitchen. Old #7 BBQ Sliders These are insanely good. Any recipe that involves Jack Daniels will always have a welcome home in my belly. Ingredients Ground beef or turkey meat Salt and pepper Butter Onion Whiskey Jarred jalapeños Small buns/rolls
BBQ sauce Swiss cheese (slices) Mushrooms Arugula You can use ground beef or turkey to make your patties. Fry them in two batches in a skillet of melted butter over medium to medium-high heat. You want them to be almost done in the middle without totally burning/blackening on the outside. When the patties are complete. plate them. Now for the sauce: mix the Jack Daniels with the natural juices still in the pan, add your BBQ sauce and on a buttered bun or roll, add a fresh slice of Swiss cheese, remove the remaining sautéed onions, jalapeños and mushrooms from saucepan, place it on the Swiss cheese and add fresh arugula. Serve with your favourite chips. A nite touchdown to the taste buds.
NEW England Patriots’ Tom Brady.
Time for a tipple or two THE big game is almost here and soon we will be in the NFL off-season doldrums. So, to help stretch out Super Bowl Sunday as long as you can, here are some great recipes for your Super Bowl shindig. No Super Bowl party is complete without a few adult beverages; however sucking down ‘brewskies’ all day isn’t to everyone’s liking.
Here’s a can’t fail recipe for my world famous ‘Super Bowl Sangria’ guaranteed to please everyone’s palette (as stolen from my Uncle Ignacio’s restaurant, ‘Jai Ali’ in New Jersey). Cheers ... bottoms up! The Red Zone Red Sangria 2 bottles of red wine (any kind you prefer) 4 cups juice (grape or
ONE of Boston's most famous brewers is paying tribute to the city's favorite quarterback. Sam Adams is releasing a beer in honor of Tom Brady ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl when the New England Patriots will play the Los Angeles Rams.
blueberry) 4 sliced red apples 3-4 handfuls of red seedless grapes 3-4 handfuls of black and red raspberries and a few robust slices or chunks of watermelon Mix all ingredients in a pitcher together, chill and serve with ice. Also eat the fruit - it’s been soaking waiting just to be consumed.
ON the grill or on the skillet - whichever suits you, but perhaps always with a little Jack. White Lights Citrus Sangria 2 bottles of white wine (any kind you prefer) 3 cups orange juice 2 sliced oranges 2-3 handfuls of seedless white grapes 2-3 handfuls of white raspberries Mix ingredients together in a pitcher and chill. Serve with ice. Feel free to eat the fruit - it gets better the longer it soaks.
The Double IPA is called Too Old, Too Slow, Still Here. The 41-year-old Brady and teammates have been using similar sayings to motivate them during the playoffs this season. The label features a goat holding a football, a reference to Brady's nickname as the GOAT — the Greatest of All Time. The limited edition brew will be available only at the Sam Adams tap room. Brady will play in his ninth super bowl on Sunday. The Patriots have won five with him under centre.
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$20 2 LARGE 1 TOPPING PIZZAS (+VAT)
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OFF TO THE SUPER BOWL THANKS TO HIS BEST BUD
A CUSTOMER with the BudLight girls during a Christmas Day event.
CHRISTMAS Day brought the perfect gift for one lucky Bahamian. What began with hundreds of entries and a whole lot of BudLight came down to a little luck for Mario Tynes, whose name was drawn from entries to the four-month long super-promotion to secure his spot at the biggest football game of the year - the NFL Super Bowl on MARIO Tynes poses after Sunday. off 2019 in partnership with winning an all-expenses Tynes was among the Bud Light brand and paid trip to Atlanta in scores of Bud Light thank our Bahamian custhe BudLight Super Bowl fans who purchased tomers for their support.” Promotion to watch the six-packs from Jimmy’s Tynes will now join 13 action on Sunday. He is Wines & Spirits or other Bud Light winners pictured with BBB reprelocal bars throughout from across the Caribbean The Bahamas leading sentative Ricardo Walkes. and South America at the up to the Christmas Day game. draw at Jimmy’s on Nassau “As the official distributors of Street. Bud Light in The Bahamas, the Brewery Thanks to the Bud Light and the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co was thrilled to offer this amazing opporLtd (BBB), Bud Light’s Bahamas dis- tunity to our loyal customers,” said BBB tributor, Tynes won the all-expenses-paid executive marketing manager Wellington Seymour. trip. “Now Mr Tynes will receive an all“I’m really shocked and happy that my expense paid travel to Atlanta, free name was drawn,” said Tynes. “When I entered, I did so without any luxury accommodations, free game tickreal expectation of winning, but the pro- ets and full celebrity treatment including cess to enter was so simple, I thought to access to private Bud Light dinners, brand paraphernalia, and access to myself, why not.” “We’ve always been about providing exclusive Bud Light Tailgate events too.” To follow Tynes Journey to Superbowl superior experiences to our customers,” explained Manuel Bartolo, AB regional 53, visit the Bahamian Brewery & Bevsales and marketing manager and Bud erage Company on their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram or on Light Bahamas rep. “For us, this is the perfect way to kick their website.
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JAMES DEVELIN IS ‘THE HAMMER’ THAT POWERS PATRIOTS’ RUNNING GAME By DENNIS WASZAK JR AP Pro Football Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — James Develin will reach into his past every now and then by pulling out one of his notebooks from his junior and senior years at Brown University. The New England Patriots fullback flips through a few pages, shakes his head and can barely remember what he scribbled on them on his way to earning a degree in mechanical engineering in 2010. “It’s just like looking at a whole different language,” Develin said with a big smile at the Patriots’ team hotel on Wednesday. “I have no idea the stuff I did.” That’s because the 30-year-old Develin has been fully focused on football the past nine years. More specifically, as the bruising, bulldozing fullback who smashes holes through defensive lines and powers the way for the Patriots’ running game. “You’ve just got to be tough, got to be nasty, got to be physical,” running back James White said. “And he’s all of that.” Develin is a bit of an anomaly in today’s NFL, playing a position that doesn’t even exist on many teams. Only 14 of 32 squads regularly lined up a fullback — something that would have been unheard of up until a handful of years ago as two-back sets were common for decades. With a shift to faster, spread-out offences, the
PATRIOTS running back James Develin (46) stands on the sideline after suffering a bloody nose during a game against the Miami Dolphins. (AP)
NEW England Patriots’ James Develin speaks with members of the media during a news conference on Wednesday ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) need for a big bopper in the backfield has dwindled. Except in places such as New England, which has used Develin on 68 snaps this postseason — a number that could represent a whole regular season’s worth for some of today’s fullbacks. “I think the fullback position has always kind of got the moniker that it’s a dying breed, that it’s kind of on its way out, but I think football is such a matchup game and things work so cyclically,” Develin said. “As defences get smaller and try to stop the passing attack, it kind of
leaves them susceptible to, with lighter, faster guys on the field, for a power running game. “I think there’s always going to be a legitimate use for a fullback and I’m just happy to be out there doing what I do.” What Develin, who can squat 670 pounds and bench press 500, does isn’t always seen in the game stats. Taking on defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers looking to blow up plays in the backfield is the fullback’s responsibility. For Develin, that means bursting open holes for the likes of White, Sony
Michel and Rex Burkhead. He thinks of himself as the “bodyguard” for the running backs. “He’s definitely our protector out there,” White said with a laugh. On the AFC championship-clinching 2-yard TD run by Burkhead, it was Develin who made a terrific block to clear things in front of him. “I want to be the hammer,” Develin said. “Not the nail.” That’s how it is during most games for the 6-foot3, 255-pound bruiser. He has 13 career regular-season carries for 23 yards and five touchdowns,
including four this season. Develin also set a career best with 12 catches for 61 yards. He has two rushes for 5 yards in the playoffs this year, and a 9-yard catch, all while setting the tone for a Patriots running game that has averaged 165.5 yards this postseason — second only to New England’s Super Bowl opponent, the Los Angeles Rams (175.0). Not bad for Develin, who didn’t exactly take a direct route to get here. He was a defensive lineman in college, racking up 15 sacks in four years while earning that Ivy League education. But he went undrafted and began lining up interviews for jobs as an engineer before insisting on giving football a final try. He had a few tryouts with NFL teams, but was told he wasn’t fast enough or flat-out good enough to make it as a pro. He played one game for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League. “I never thought I’d abandon it,” Develin said. “This is a dream of mine. You know, I love the game of football and I was willing to do whatever it took to make it my livelihood. I never took no for an answer and just kept chugging away, no matter how many doors were slammed in my face. I just kept on going and working as hard
as I possibly could and knew that the cards would eventually fall my way.” Develin decided to give a switch to fullback a try, and got an opportunity with the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League in 2010. He showed enough to land a spot on Cincinnati’s practice squad later that year, and was reunited with his former Tuskers coach in 2011 when Jay Gruden became the Bengals’ offensive coordinator. The following year, Develin was one of Cincinnati’s final cuts out of training camp. Then came a call from the Patriots — and he has been a valuable piece of the Tom Brady-led offence since. “He does so much for us,” Patriots centre David Andrews said. “He’s such a dependable football player. He’s a tough football player. He adds that extra pressure to the defence and that extra toughness to our football team.” So, Develin will keep pounding defenders for now. And, maybe one day after his football career is long over, he’ll hit the books again. “I thought an engineering degree was a pretty good thing to have in my back pocket, so I went out there and got it done,” he said. “Then, I just followed my first dream, which was football, and it all worked out.”
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SUPER BOWL
NETWORK COVERAGE
BY CBS-TV to more than 200 stations throughout the United States. Westwood One Radio to 600 stations within the United States. The Armed Forces Television will also provide broadcast to 175 countries throughout the world.
FACTS & FIGURES 71,000 SEATING capacity (expandable to 75,000)
$118,000 $59,000 PRIZE money per man for the winners.
PRIZE money per man for the losers.
PLAYER UNIFORMS
LOS Angeles will be the home team and has its choice of wearing its coloured or white jersey.
OVERTIME AT the end of regulation playing time, the referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field, according to rules pertaining to the usual pre-game toss. The captain of AFC team (the visiting team) will call the toss. FOLLOWING a three-minute intermission after the end of the regular game, play will continue by 15-minute periods with a two-minute intermission between each such overtime period with no halftime intermission. The teams will change goals between each period, there will be a two-minute warning at the end of each period. BOTH teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner. IF the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If (that team) scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after (both teams have a) possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner.
7
THERE are seven officials and five alternates.
OFFICIAL TIME THE SCOREBOARD clock will be official.
4,014,733
TOTAL attendance for Super Bowl games in history. The largest crowd was 103,985 at the 14th Super Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
AT STAKE — National Football League Championship for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. PARTICIPANTS — Los Angeles Rams (NFC) and New England Patriots (AFC). This the fourth appearance for the Rams (1-2) and the 11th appearance for the Patriots (5-5).
MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM, ATLANTA. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2019. KICK-OFF: 6.30PM
TROPHY
THE WINNING team receives permanent possession of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a sterling silver trophy created by Tiffany & Company and presented annually to the winner of the Super Bowl. The trophy was named after the late coach Vince Lombardi of the two-time Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers before the 1971 Super Bowl. The trophy is a regulation-size silver football mounted in a kicking position on a pyramid-like stand of three concave sides. The trophy stands 20 3/4 inches tall, weighs 6.7 pounds and is valued more than $25,000. The words “Vince Lombardi” and “Super Bowl LIII” are engraved on the base along with the NFL shield.
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