Does it Make a Difference to You When the NFL Holds the Super Bowl in a Cold Weather City?
by Anthony Defeo on Feb 2, 2012 9:38 PM EST
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As magical as the Steelers Super Bowl XL victory was for me (it is my favorite championship of all-time), it just seemed a little off to watch the team take on the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit at Ford Field. All my years growing up watching and re-watching old Super Bowls played in places like the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Miami Orange Bowl, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, I always dreamed of the Steelers hoisting their fifth Lombardi trophy in a sunny climate with a cool, tropical breeze blowing around the confetti they always shoot off right after the Super Bowl ends.
Don't get me wrong, the "Ride the Bus to Detroit" rally-cry made for a great story, and if I had to re-write the script, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Jerome Bettis retiring as a Super Bowl winner in his hometown? You just can't get any better than that.
And in-terms of travel for Steelers Nation, it was just about the most accessible Super Bowl you could possibly imagine. Steelers fans booked rooms in every hotel from Detroit to Toledo, and if you remember Super Bowl XL, it was probably 85% Steelers fans in attendance. That's why I thought it would have been awesome if the Steelers made it to Super Bowl XLVI since it is being held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis--another one of those "cold weather cities," and another very accessible site for Steeler Nation.
All that aside, however, I still prefer to see the Super Bowl played in a warm-weather region, and preferably outdoors.
To me, the Super Bowl is a national holiday, and the people who are lucky enough to attend should be able to bask in the sun and treat it like a vacation; really live it up and party, ya know? Can you really party in Detroit or Indianapolis?
In two years, the Super Bowl will not only be in a Northern city, it will be outdoors at the new MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
There's obviously a pretty decent chance that the weather will be cold and snowy, and, yes, it would hearken back to the days of old when NFL Championship games were held in places like Lambeau Field in Green Bay and Soldier Field in Chicago, but I wonder if the NFL is prepared for any sort of backlash that could result from some really bad weather.
Remember last year when severe weather conditions in Dallas caused problems for people in the days and even hours leading up to Super Bowl XLV between the Steelers and Packers? And that game was played in a dome. Imagine the problems if it would have been an outdoor event?
If I had my way, I would rotate the Super Bowl between venues in Florida, California, Texas (last season aside), Arizona and, of course, New Orleans (yes, it would be played in a dome, but being able to party for a week or two in that city would more than make up for it).
Oh well, beggars can't be choosers, and to paraphrase former Steelers lineman Flozell "The Hotel" Adams, they could play the Super Bowl in Siberia, and it still would be awesome.
What about you? Do you care where they play the Super Bowl? Have you ever been to one, and is it more fun to have one in a warm weather city?
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Does it Makes a Difference to You When the NFL Holds the Super Bowl in a Cold Weather City?
…No, as long as the Steelers are in the first one, and win it on a cold, wet field so the fans of the opposing team can cry and complain how unfair it was for their team, and how the league must have planned it that way.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Interesting article
Nice write up.
Don’t confuse Dallas not being able to handle inclement weather with New Jersey handling the same however.
I’m looking forward to it. I hope it snows and blows, regardless of who is playing.
+ -10 degrees
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
by Fifty-Eight on Feb 2, 2012 10:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Detroit & Tampa
My wife and I went to both games and enjoyed them immensley:)
Obviously, Detroit put their best foot forward but the people were great and the food, festivals were also outstanding, they had all kinds of ice scuptures, sledding, tubing etc
Tampa was also a great venue…and less expensive b/c we could drive (live in Georgia) and my father-in-law lives in Tampa so we had a place to stay for free:) Also, we went with some neighbors who are also Steeler fanatics and had a blast!! I still remember walking down some of the streets, which had been closed off to traffic and were mobbed with Steeler fans…it’s an incredible feeling.
The SB is just an incredible experience…not just the game either…it’s the whole environment, parties, celebrities, eating/drinking and meeting Steeler fans of all ages from around the country. Even if you don’t have tickets to the game, next time we play in a SB (hopefully soon) i would suggest, if you can, take a couple days and just go be in the atmosphere…soak it up…it’s fantastic.
You really do feel this amazing connection with other Steeler fans…we enjoyed just meeting new friends and talking football, talking about our kids, life in general. It’s really neat when you immediately have a connection with others, how we drop the pretense, drop the facades and just connect with others as human beings…great times.
In Detroit, the couple who sat behind us took 4 of their kids as a present to the game!! Big Bucks!! But priceless memories:) My wife made a collage of both SB trips with pics, tickets etc hanging in the basement and it always brings a smile to my face.
It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or not…go if you can, even if it’s just to be in the atmosphere and watch the game at a local bar…you won’t regret it!
I was a dead-ass broke just-out-of-college kid and tried to scrape money together for a bus ticket to get out there. It wasn’t to be…
Helluva time though.
by Neal Coolong on Feb 2, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
Geez - a banner at the top and sides and the background??
Can someone turn the volume down on the ads? I mean seriously.
If you use Chrome or Firefox...
…get the AdBlocker extension (chrome); it blacks out that pasty white guy quite nicely.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Rose Bowl
In terms of a huge, outdoor venue, the Rose Bowl is tough to beat. Don’t know why the NFL hasn’t had a game there since Dallas crushed Buffalo nearly 20 years ago. It may have something to do with upgrades to that aging facility, not sure about that.
Nice conversation topic
I was living in detroit during the SBXL run, my dad was too cheap to spring for the tickets. I mean come on what are the odds YOUR team will play in the city where YOU live?
But I digress, Detroit is a terrible city to have a Super Bowl in. Not only because it’s dangerous and ugly, but also the infrastructure is not that great. Hotels are limited in the city center, hardly a cab to be found. People were staying up in the suburbs and coming down. Yawn…
I agree that warm weather makes the game a little more special, but don’t forget those places get bad weather too. Remember SB XLI with the Bears and Colts?
To me it should be about the city, not the venue. New York/Jersey is a great pick and I think it’ll be great. If you really like the game it doesn’t matter if it’s in a hailstorm or a marsh or on the damn moon, its about the overall experience.
And if you are GOING to the actual game, then shut the hell up and be grateful (looking at Peter King).
Good points. As far as the city being the focus, I have an NFL films DVD of Super Bowl IX
between the Steelers and Vikings, and they show some pre-game footage of Steelers and Vikings fans partying it up on Bourbon Street in the days before the event.
by Anthony Defeo on Feb 2, 2012 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
Super Bowl 9
Funny thing about that game, it was supposed to be played at the brand new Superdome, but it wasn’t ready in time. That would never happen today, those guys would be working 24/7 to avoid a problem.
The game was transferred to ancient Tulane Stadium on that cold and windy day. When Art Rooney was handed the Lombardi Trophy afterwards, that was an emotional scene.
by SteelStealth on Feb 2, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
If ever a city needed an economic boost
it’s Detroit. I wouldn’t care if they had the SB in Detroit every year just to see a once proud City rebound a little economically and give the hard working citizens a chance to celebrate with pride.
If Jerry Jones never gets another “big game” I won’t waste a minutes sympathy. I’ll forever vote “No” to Dallas.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
"Oh... you're a northerner. What exactly do they call 'you people' from Pittsburgh?" "They just call us LUCKY."
Always a good discussion starter.
I don’t think I agree with your proposed rotation. Based on your rationale, and I’m not harshing, just saying, we should play the SB in Florida, Cali, and Hawaii. All great vacation destinations.
But in my opinion, the way the commish wants to outfit some very tough people in skirts makes me sick. Keeping them from playing football in a cold weather site outside just chops their nuts off even more.
Football was MADE to be played outside. You made the SB and you’re a dome team? You should be forced to grow a pair by playing in Chicago, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, or New York.
Say no to skirts. Play outside. It’s what your mother always told you to do anyway.
http://tr4f.wordpress.com
Mountainbiking the Continental Divide in 2012 to raise awareness of human trafficking.
by Fifty-Eight on Feb 2, 2012 10:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I like the idea of moving the superbowl to a northern city
Dont see how its much different then a AFC championship game at heinz field in jan….
If one was looking for a vacation, I guess Cancun might be my first choice, but a winter game outside reaks of good old fashion football…
Chicago and...Seatle
Both great cities. The Seahawks stadium is awesome. Both would be very expensive trips though
by Unleashed on Feb 2, 2012 10:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Reliant Field, in Houston...
…for a really nice venue. Only problem is everything is so spread out in Houston, would have complaints about having to travel far for food, hotels, etc, like that other place in Texas.
NEVER allow it at FedEx in Washington; aside from not wanting Snyder the glory of hosting a Super Bowl (closest he’d ever get to one anyways), that place is a nightmare to get to, get in, get out. Took me an hour to get my car out of its parking spot in 2008 MNF game against the Steelers.
Other than Miami, no really good place in Florida; Jacksonville not equipped to handle that big of an event, and Tampa seems too staid (too oriented to the aged?).
Los Angeles would be just as bad as Houston in terms of distances needed to travel, and the road traffic is horrendous.
San Diego is good, New Orleans also, and I’m hearing good reactions about Indy.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Bro I was at that MNF game too,
That entire area is hell. Never going back. Took us over an hour to get on the shuttle bus to drive us 10 min to our car (still cost $40 to park). God I hate Snyder
by jedmiller71 on Feb 3, 2012 2:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I know a LOT of Redskins fans...
…who say they would still support their team (despite Snyder and his decades of mediocrity and idiocy) but will never attend another game at FedEx, both because of the price gouging for parking, and the immeasurable time it takes to get in or out of that place.
That MNG game was awesome, wasn’t it? At least 40% Steeler fans. Article in Post next day complaining how Steeler Nation took that place over; article had picture of me and my son, waiving Terrible Towels!
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Ha! It was a great one
We really took that place over. Only time I’ve seen better was at my first ever game, at the Jets in 07. Still try not to think about that one though.
by jedmiller71 on Feb 3, 2012 10:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Seahawks Fans
would be really agitated if they hosted the game, and the Steelers came to town.
When aren’t Seahawk fans whining and moaning about something… different day; different excuse to whine.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
"Our Father, who art in Pittsburgh, Football be thy game. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, at Heinz Field as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, a stellar D and forgive us our bogus fines, as we (sorta) forgive Goodell who trespasses against us. And lead us not into defeat, but deliver us a Victory. For thine is The Steelers, the power and glory of climbing the STAIRWAY TO 7."
"Oh... you're a northerner. What exactly do they call 'you people' from Pittsburgh?" "They just call us LUCKY."
As long as the Steelers are in it
I don’t care where the SB is played.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Feb 2, 2012 11:11 PM EST reply actions
Legends are made outside
I like the write up but disagree with the over all concept. Football is meant to be an outdoor sport. I wish they would give every NFL city a chance to host the SB. Rotate it like baseball all-star games, weather is just an added element to the game, which, for better or worse, its something northern, outdoor stadium teams deal with year in year out. How sweet would it be to have the Stillers in the SB at Heinz Field!!
by Ohio Steeler on Feb 2, 2012 11:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I was 17 in 2009, scraped together every penny and then some to go to Tampa and sit in the very last row of the stadium in the corner. Greatest day of my life, will never forget it.
Yes, it was nice to be in Florida in February, but I would have had a blast no matter where it had been.
Side note, I live in central NJ and commute to North Jersey every day. TRUST ME!!! You better pray the weather is pristine in 2 years because the highway snow removal here is BRUTAL, every time it snows they act like its a phenomenon they have never seen before.
by jedmiller71 on Feb 3, 2012 2:29 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I think any city that has an NFL team deserves to have the SB
I think there should be one at Heinz Field to give the people who depend on NFL games to make a living have an oppurtunity to make money off th eultimate game. iam talking the vendors, the hotels,the restaurants nearthe stadium, the taxicabs/drivers, and more. Th etax revenue generated is awesome for the state/city also.
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
Some other thoughts
I kinda think that teams that have won at least one super bowl in recent years should be allowed to host. I feel it’s not fair that all the SBs are held in a handful of cities. Pittsburgh for instance is the most storied franchise in the NFL but will probably never hoast a game, which is jive turkey. Who cares if it’s outdoors? Thats the part I hate, the SB isn’t about fans anymore just rich people who don’t really care and want to watch something expensive.
I’d also love to see a Las Vegas Super Bowl. Why not?
Dude...I think the SB should be held in Las Vegas every year!!!
I would so LOVE that….it’s a win-win really for so many reason:)
I can resist everything but temptation.....
by the duchess of steel on Feb 3, 2012 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe back when Vegas...
…touted itself as a family destination, but won’t happen now, now that “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” is the slogan.
And the NFL would never openly coddle up to Vegas and the gambling, even though the League Office secretly loves all the touting that the bookies have done that’s become such an integral part of pre-game analysis (Team X favored by 7 points over Team Y); where do they think that spread comes from, the damn hypocrites!
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
The NFL would never hold the Super Bowl in Vegas. Too afraid of gambling corruption.
by Anthony Defeo on Feb 3, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
They should have a lotto ball drawing with all 32 teams every year to start the NFL draft.
by Steelchamps !! on Feb 3, 2012 1:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Yes, especially if the Steelers are in it
Reason being that the Steelers are used to playing in the elements. If the SB is held in a Northern city without a dome, I would think that they’d have a better chance of winning if their opponent is used to playing down South or in a dome.
Even if the boys in B&G aren’t in it, I think a SB played in a blizzard would be great. Football is meant to be played out of doors. (also, it would be fun to see all of the “beatiful people” who have money falling out of their asses and go every year “just to be seen” freezing their buns off)
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
Lets play football the way it is supposed to be played
With half naked women on the beach. Oh my bad I was fantasizing. It need to be play with not Roof. Football is an outdoor sport. The only place I will allow a dome is in Greenland or Antarctica. I don’t see them getting any team any time soon.
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