It’s been awhile since one of my favorite teams won it all, and I’ve missed the feeling. I’ve been on a high since the Ravens beat Denver last month thanks to Jacoby Jones’ “Mile High Miracle,” and I’m not about to come down. The momentum from that game carried the Ravens into Foxborough, 9 point underdogs for the second week in a row. The Patriots did not stand a chance.
So in case you didn’t hear, the Baltimore Ravens took the Super Bowl XLVII title, besting the San Francisco 49ers 34-31. Ray Lewis was emotional, Beyonce diva-ed it up, and there was a delightfully surprising break in play when the Super Dome lost power and everyone who cares about seeing the ads AND the game could take a nice breather and have a bathroom run. Since I didn’t have any emotional investment in the game either way (minus my being at a very close friend’s all Niners house), I’ll leave bragging rights to our own Raven. I, however, have been very invested and particular about my Super Bowl advertisements over the years, especially after working at a job that entailed pitching songs to be considered for use in these hilarities. This fine Monday morning, I bring you a round up of what I thought deserved notice in a slew of what was otherwise overwhelmingly dull.
As Games Mistress mentioned yesterday, people love to bet on the Super Bowl. It’s always fun to play in a box pool or bet on the winner or even the coin toss (as I’m typing this, the Papa John’s commercial about winning the coin toss and getting free pizza is on). I already know who I’m rooting for, so a “who’s going to win” bet is out of the cards for me. For years, my friends, family and I made fun bets with nothing actually being wagered, but this year I thought it’d be fun to introduce some prop bets to our party. Here’s a list of fun prop bets for your party, especially if you don’t have any rooting interests.
There apparently is no such thing as a Super Bowl party image that looks natural and does not feature food.
You’ve probably heard before that the Super Bowl is the biggest gambling day of the year. I started the week thinking all us Ladies would talk about our best/worst Super Bowl bets, but as it turns out, I am the only one who has any. (One. I have one. And it’s only because I have friends who are professional poker players who LOVE betting games.)
However, the Super Bowl is also one of the biggest party days of the year. Even churches have Super Bowl parties, so you do not have to have any particular vices to have a good Super Bowl party story (though it helps). Join us, as we discuss some of our favorite memories of Super Bowl past. And some minor betting.
Raven: I’ve been betting on the Super Bowl since I was a small child. My parents’ friends have parties every year and they always do box pools. Of course, I’ve never won, but when my sister was born, she won three straight years. And she was a baby. She has all the luck.
I know what you’re all thinking, “Enough with the Ravens, Raven!” But it’s not every day your favorite NFL team is in the Super Bowl. I feel kinda skeevy selecting Torrey Smith as a Hump Day Hottie, considering I’ve been a fan of his since he was 17. Torrey is a former Terp and you know I love my Terps. Also, I want to share the best smile in the NFL with the rest of the world. Enjoy!
As most of you can tell by my screen name, I’m a huge Ravens fan. I remember the day that Baltimore finally got an NFL team, and I was a devoted fan ever since. In our short existence (est. 1996) we’ve already been blessed with a trip to the Super Bowl that ended in a huge win. But I was a freshman in college who watched the game with one other lonely Ravens fan in a student lounge. I didn’t get to celebrate. I didn’t get to go to a parade, but, hopefully, this time it will be different.
Not a booty, I know. This just makes me giggle (Photo: J.A. Roberts)
Your Super Bowl contenders are set: it’s the 49ers and Ravens – aka HARBAUGH BOWL, or HAR-BOWL, or BOWL OF BROTHERS (seriously, I just made that one up) – next Sunday in New Orleans. You’re likely aware of the main storylines behind the upcoming game, but here at Ladies… we cover the angle no news organization dares to examine. Continue reading
The other Ladies… and I had a Google+ hangout the other night and I realized I’d never told this story for you folks. Forgive me for being lazy, but I wrote it up for Uni-Watch a few years ago, so I’m going to just post that test. I was using the Uni angle there, so I included quite a few pictures of the gear I received.
This content was originally posted on uni-watch.com in 2008. Link here.
I went to college in New Orleans, which was the site of Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. A few months prior to the game, I learned that they were hiring security personnel to work during the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, with a chance to work at events on gameday and possibly even at the game itself. I don’t exactly project the kind of imposing presence that security people usually have (I’m 5’4″ on a good day), but it sounded cool, so I applied and ended up getting hired.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story
Continue reading
New slogan? Ladies...: Bringing The Meat Since 2007
We’ve made our predictions. Now it’s time to get cookin’. And drinkin’. In fact, it is advised to do both at the same time. The other Ladies… and I have pulled together a Friday Foodie post of epic proportions. If you’re getting a bit bored of chili, we have several suggestions to ensure your Super Bowl Party guests won’t be pulling Manning Faces over the menu. Continue reading
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The majority of us Ladies may still be licking our wounds from disappointing playoff losses to either the Giants or Patriots* (not Maggie, obviously) but that doesn’t mean we’re not watching the game! Lady Bee has a yummy treat for you all tomorrow, so we’re getting a head start on our Super Bowl preview. Our thoughts and picks after the jump**.
*Or didn’t even make the playoffs because of losses to both. Hi, my name is Games Mistress and I’m a Jets fan.
** Are they bringing one of these foam pit things when the Super Bowl is in New York? Because I might have to reconsider my no-way-in-hell stance about going out to the Meadowlands that week.
Unlike my girl Diana, this is not the sweetest hangover – this is the WORST kind of hangover!
It’s not brought on by copious amounts of Yuengling and Makers Mark.
It’s not accompanied by the Stride of Pride.
It’s not cured by greasy food.
It’s not something that gets worse with age.
It’s a hangover that only comes with the harsh realization… football is OVER until Fall. Continue reading
I’ve re-written this opening sentence at least five times. I was worried about being inarticulate two weeks ago when the Packers won their way in to the Super Bowl, so winning it all has left me pretty tongue-tied.
Despite the fact that they never trailed, I was pretty nervous last night and had a hard time coming down from that to enjoy the win. It seems more real this morning and I was more emotional watching recaps and clips on the morning news than I was after the game last night. That said, it’s finally all sinking in and I can’t believe the No. 6 seed Packers won six straight games to get to the pinnacle. After a loss to Detroit mid-season, I thought the team was done. I thought they’d never be able to get over losing so many opening day starters. I thought they would never find a run game.
Instead of waxing philosophical, here’s some of my favorite pictures of last night’s win, courtesty of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Aaron Rodgers has been putting on an imaginary championship belt after every TD this season. This time, the belt got to be real.
We all “awww’d” at the pictures of Drew Brees and his son from last year, so here’s Greg Jennings celebrating with his children amongst the confetti.
Word is that Charles Woodson tried to speak to the team at halftime and was so choked up that he couldn’t finish, which basically left the rest of the team choked up. A veteran player on a young team, Woodson was the heart and soul of the defense and it was tough to see him go down with a broken collarbone. It was so great to see him with the trophy.
It’s not a celebration pic, but I love this picture of BJ Raji apparently telling the Steelers to Bring It On.
These next few pics are from ESPN.com
Greg Jennings celebrates a touchdown
Nick Collins and Clay Matthews celebrate after Collins’ pick six.
We’re (finally) a mere 48 or so hours away from the game and I can’t be the only one who’s antsy for it to get here already.
Local (Milwaukee) media have gone so far overboard on their coverage of the Packers leading up to the game that I’m ready for it to be played just so I don’t have to wait 15 minutes into the nightly news to hear about Egypt.
In case it hasn’t been abundantly clear over the past two weeks that Packers fans are a special kind of nuts, check out this article. It includes the complete text of a letter from the Green Bay Superintendant of Schools. The schools will close early on Monday in anticipation of the team’s return to Green Bay. Should the Packers win, there will be a parade and celebration on Tuesday and the letter let’s parents know that they can take their kids of of school on an excused absence for the celebration.
I know you’ve all been waiting to see where the Ladies… come down on the outcome of this game, so wait no further.
I have to be a homer and pick the Packers. They have the momentum heading in to the game and have had plenty of time to study tape and prepare for the Steelers offense. Aaron Rodgers will cement himself in Packers’ lore and the secondary will have a huge night, netting at least 2 INTs Packers 28, Steelers 20
Games Mistress: 34-21, Packers and Rodgers throws for 300+ yards and 3 TDs, so I can further rue the week his concussion enforced hiatus cost me a berth in my non-Ladies league Super Bowl.
Lady Bee: As Queen of the Way Off Predictions (I called a Bears-Jets Super Bowl), I’ll say Packers 30-27. It will be close and decided on a field goal. We will wake up Monday morning worshipping Mason Crosby.
THE Blonde Bomber: 21-17 Packers
Miss Minda: 24-20 Green Bay. Go Pack Go!
Buffalita: I predict 24-17, Packers. Yes, the Steelers defense is good. But if the Jets can manage to score 19 against them, I have plenty of faith in Rogers
So I have all the Ladies… aboard the Packers’ Super Bowl Wagon. Lets hope we’re not all super disappointed come Monday morning!
I’m still in that euphoric phase where I’m a little dumbfounded that this is actually happening, so forgive my ramblings!
Heading in to this season, it was clear that the Packers had the pieces to put together a championship season, but 11 players on the IR later, it seemed less likely that the team could put together a playoff run. You’ll remember, the Packers lost to the Lions this season. It did not seem promising.
But the Packers (and Packer fans) are lucky. We have Aaron Rodgers.
And this is not even meant to heap on the lovefest for A-Rodg. But seriously, how many teams can you name that went from one franchise quarterback to another? There were no lean years. There was no let down. Thanks to Ted Thompson, the Packers went from Favre to Rodgers seemlessly (at least on the field) and never had to worry about down time.
I have my issues with Packers GM Ted Thompson, but he can never get enough credit for throwing away the plan and drafting Rodgers when he was still on the board at the 24th spot in the 2005 draft.
Plenty of NFLers weighed in on Twitter while the game was happening, but what do you all think about the situation with Jay Cutler? I don’t think anyone can decide whether or not he was truly hurt, but what about the fact that he spent the rest of the game on the sideline by himself? Isn’t it standard for the starter to throw on a headset and help out the backups?
My favorite “storyline” out of the game was the interception and touchdown by nose tackle BJ Raji. Prior to Sunday’s game Raji had taken to calling himself “The Freezer,” saying Chicago had “The Fridge” and he was “The Freezer.” In scoring the TD after the INT, Raji became the heaviest player player to score a playoff touchdown. The previous holder of that “honor”? William Perry.
The play that Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers called that put Raji in that situation is one that he hadn’t called ALL YEAR.
Raji did a little wiggle after the touchdown and also “put on the championship belt,” something Aaron Rodgers has been doing after scoring touchdowns all season.
Check out the whole play and celebration
I would have rather played the Jets than the Steelers, to be honest. Roethlisberger has been as hot as Rodgers has this post season.
Of course, Rodgers’ biggest play of yesterday’s game was a touchdown-saving tackle of Brian Urlacher, so you never know what you’re going to get.
But it doesn’t matter. We have two weeks to revel in the fact that our sixth-seeded team went on the road and beat three good teams to make it to the SUPERBOWL!
It’s been a little gloom and doom in the bomber household these past few days…
You see there was this semi-important professional sporting match on Sunday, and despite my best efforts of yelling and screaming at the tv, my boys did not come away with that Lombardi trophy.
While I hold no ill will towards those gents in black and gold, I can’t help but wallow in my loss.
It got me thinking about championships and fandom- more specifically what impacts us more, the wins or losses?
Riding out the Ladies… Super Bowl excitement further, I’d like to extend my congratulations to Drew, Coach Peyton, and the city of New Orleans on winning the 44th Super Bowl!!! And call it my nature, blame it on where my interests lie, but I found it only fitting to include this awesome video for K. Gates’ “Who Dat”, along with my own analysis and recap of the (incredibly disappointing) Super Bowl ads.
We could post picture upon picture from last night’s game and celebration, but let’s be honest, we’re all smitten with Drew Brees after the images of him holding and talking to his child while tears streamed down this face.
The proud papa brought the whole huge party back to a human level and there were plenty of folks who were crying right with him.
Congratulations, Drew, Sean Payton, and the rest of the New Orleans Saints. Well played, guys. Well played.
You can see tons of photos from the celebration and the game in this gallery at nola.com
So by now, you may have seen this profile of Saints linebacker Scott Fujita.
If you’re me, you’ve now spent the last twenty minutes drawing hearts around his name while daydreaming about skipping through New Orleans hand-in hand and dispensing bon mots about social justice and equality.
Then again, if you’re a normal person, you thought ‘Huh, cool.’ and went on with your daily life.
Let’s just jot down the reasons why Scott Fujita is my new boyfriend who just doesn’t know it yet, shall we? Continue reading
I would have loved to have had a Friday Foodie for you, but with my recent vacation, the two night classes I’ve been taking and the usual mama and work stuff it’s been too hard to find the time.
But you know who does it better anyway? The original author of our Football Foodie Fridays, The Starter Wife, who has been busily dishing out 14 days of delectable Super Bowl eats, including Sugar Pie. Sugar Pie! I didn’t know people outside of French Canada made this! Youpi!
Speaking of countdowns, Fack Youk has been counting down the days until spring training begins, pinstripe-style. If you love baseball history, check it out over your lunch break. It’s good reading!
The Ladies… also salute those who gave us a kind shout-out in the blogosphere in recent days, like Stumptown Magazine whose writers discuss everything Portland, Oregon. Like Rudy Fernandez.
We also thank the ladies at the funny and feminist Not My Gal for including ours among their My Gal Blogs of the Week. It’s where you’ll find an insightful piece on that ad. Regardless where you stand on the issue, check it out.
Mens’ hockey is fun to watch and all, but we’re really excited about womens’ Olympic hockey! CuteSports linked you to Team USA’s profiles a few days ago. Here’s where you can learn more about Team Canada. I wonder if it’s too late to order a Wickenheiser jersey for next weekend.
And now I give you stretching Saints…
(Reuters Photo)
Enjoy the game Sunday!
Three more days to endure until Super Bowl Sunday. Fortunately, I’ve had a busy week to take my mind off the waiting. Also fortunately, there’s some great pictures coming out of Miami to whet your football appetite and save me from having to write too much.
First up, Daylife.com (via Getty Images), has a whole series of pictures of the painting of the turf, which I found fascinating.
Clad in my favorite P. Manning jersey, and drenched in a fever induced sweat, I watched my Colts do work on Sunday and win a trip to Miami for Super Bowl 44!
While I agree with Miss Minda, I am sad that the Cardinals didn’t win the Superbowl as I was rooting for them and they made a teriffic showing, I still think that we here at Ladies… need to give recognition to the Steelers. After the break, some fun celebration photos to help wipe away the sad.
So, the Steelers won the Super Bowl. It was a pretty frickin’ crazy game. Congrats to them, I suppose.
I do not appreciate the way this Cardinal is looking at me.
I present to you these Sad Cardinals with no further comment. Continue reading
I hope the game is more exciting than this logo.
We are now a little over 48 hours away from the culmination of the entire 2008-09 NFL season. Just like the World Series, this championship features a team making its unlikely first appearance in the big game and … a team from Pennsylvania. Plus they are playing it in Tampa. It’s certainly not the first time a city has hosted both a World Series and a Super Bowl, but it may be the first time a city outside of California has done it. So there’s your (unverified) Super Bowl fact of the day.
As this is a sports blog, written by sports fans, most of us Ladies have plans to watch the game. Some of us are neutral, some of us have a particular team, some of us are just obsessed with Kurt Warner, but we’ll all be parked in front of a television somewhere at game time. Further details after the jump, but first:
POP (AND ALCOHOL) QUIZ
Can you match the beverages below with the Lady who will be drinking it during the game? (Options: Lady Andrea, SA, Minda, Games Mistress, and Cinnamon Girl)
Ladies... 