Super Bowl XLIII – Tampa
February 8th, 2009
I never really made a journal entry for this event because I was away with my wife and daughter. I took a lot of photographs but only the digital ones ever really made it up online. I have family in Orlando, so I left my daughter with cousins and met my wife and friends in Tampa. Some in-laws also live in Tampa and are connected to the Pirates Den, a great house across the street from Raymond James Stadium devoted solely to tailgating.
It was a beautiful day in Tampa for the Super Bowl. Much better weather than Detroit, but a different vibe. A more tropical spirit made it all seem a little happier. I walked around the neighborhood and was happy to see lots of Steelers fans. We had a great spot to park within sight of the stadium so we just hung out until game time. It got a little chilly, but I wasn’t complaining.
This Super Bowl was much more subdued that XL. Less grandiose. It was simple. And Bruce Springsteen re-emphasised that. Less flags and light show, just entertainment. And the game couldn’t have been more entertaining. We never left our seats except at halftime. Can;t really remember anything but three plays. Harrison’s touchdown run, which I photographed the crowd for 12 seconds. He collapsed in the endzone right in front of us. Second, the Holmes touchdown catch, and thirdly, Woodley’s sack on Warner to end the game. Those were all great. I still get chills thinking about them.
Super Bowl XLIII – Tampa