Category Archives: Super Bowl 52

Tampa During Superbowl 55

It was that time of year again when the final Pro football game is played for the season. The Superbowl has become an enormous event and continued to be even during the world pandemic. My wife was once again part of the pre-game and halftime game day setup and teardown team. Due to COVID, there were many changes to the events of this game including reduced crews needed for these events. My wife was still able to participate and made plans to be in Tampa for the week leading up to this game. Since quarantine would be a necessary part of this for me also (direct exposure to her), I joined her in Tampa taking a break from winter. Normally I would have explored a lot of the events happening during the week but not wanting to be around a lot of people in tight spaces, I kept my distance and avoided most of these this year.

Sand sculpture taking shape

We were staying in St. Petersburg and decided to go explore Clearwater Beach one afternoon since this was recommended as a beautiful spot to take in a nice tropical day. It’s a fantastic beach with Pier 60 jutting out into the ocean for some great views. While walking around in the area we came upon some sand sculptors working on a Superbowl related carving. It was far from complete but was interesting to watch as they surgically added and removed portions of sand working towards their final piece. As they worked, shovels of sand would be piled in certain areas followed by water spraying it down to compact it for better sculpting. We needed to leave as there was a halftime rehearsal happening later that day. Returning to see the final piece was now added to the calendar.

Superbowl sand sculpture complete

Saturday morning, the day before the Superbowl, seemed like a good time to hit Clearwater Beach once again to view the completed sand sculpture. There should be fewer people at this time and it was a nice day. While walking to the sand creation I noticed some activity in an area previously fenced off. Examining it a bit closer, there were TV cameras on staging indicating something was happening sometime soon. I proceeded to the sculpture to examine the final project and as usual, was amazed at the final result portraying both quarterbacks next to their helmets. How people are able to do such work is pretty incredible. Now seeing the finished piece, I headed towards Pier 60 where I had seen vendors beginning to set up. This would be a good opportunity to see what they were selling and maybe catch a entertainer juggler or something. On the way there I found out there would be a celebrity flag football game played here on the sandy beach in a few hours. Initially I thought about hanging out next to the fence surrounding the area to watch the game but decided to view it from a distance away from the majority of the crowd.

Skydivers opening the flag football game

While hanging around, waiting for the game to begin, I watched the activity on the beach. During this time a parachute team had launched 2 small balloons in an effort to determine wind direction. Before the game they would be skydiving in with the game ball during the national anthem.

As game time was nearing, a brief storm had popped up requiring these skydivers to start early to avoid being caught in unsafe conditions. The parachute team landed safely, the storm quickly moved through, and minutes later, the celebrity football game was underway. As the players were introduced, I realized I didn’t know many of them as they were from several different professional sports and even a few tv personalities. It was still enjoyable to see for a little while as this was really the only Superbowl event I watched due to the crowds and COVID.

Celebraty Flag Football Game

What better place for a fun game to take place then on this beautiful, soft sand on a warm, mostly sunny afternoon? It was a nice way to spend the afternoon watching the first half of this game before heading back to the house for the rest of the day to meet my wife when she finished at the stadium preparing for the game the next day. While on the beach watching the flag football game I saw something I had never seen before – a moving billboard attached to a boat. I should have expected such a thing but never really thought about it before.

The next day brought game time to one of the biggest events of the year in the United States concluding the week of talk, activities, and predictions. It also marked the end of our brief reprieve from winter reminding us we would be heading back home soon where temperatures where plunging well below zero degrees F. Another successful Superbowl after so many questions and wondering if it would even happen this year. Hopefully there will never be another one like it!

A boat billboard

A Superbowl Depression

This is what many seem to experience the day after the Super Bowl. It means professional football is over for many months so Sundays are now void of this captivating activity. Yes, I understand many are thrilled another season has ended and they no longer have to endure another football game until the end of summer and Eagles fans are in a state of happiness that will last much of the year so will not miss a game being played for awhile.

Crew 52 being deployed along Superbowl Live

For me I’m a little conflicted. Being so involved in the Super Bowl this year has been exciting and exhausting so it’s nice to have this time to rest and catch up on things not done during the 10 days of festivities. This exhaustion came from having additional commitments every day for these 10 days in addition to working. That meant getting to work by 5am, leaving mid-afternoon to either volunteer at Superbowl Live or rehearse for the halftime show usually getting back home around 10 pm and then doing it all over again the next day.

Heading to US Bank Stadium for halftime rehearsal

Do get me wrong, this was a lot of fun and something I’ll remember for a very long time. Thankfully it only lasts a week and a half. So where does the depression come in (more of a let down than I depression I guess) ? There has been so much build up and preparation for months and months before game day and it all stops abruptly after the Superbowl is played. It reminds me of getting married in that there is a lot of preparations and then it’s over. There’s a feeling of emptiness because there is no longer the need to spend time on it anymore so now what do you do with that time? You begin to miss the excitement that comes with all the planning and anticipation for this larger than life event. Conversations with people seem a little more mundane after being able to discuss exciting things happening each day and getting different perspectives on these events.

Players entering the field

After a week or two there will be adjustments and that time will be filled with other activities. The people you’ve come to know during volunteering and rehearsals have all gone back to their lives as well and this common thing you were all a part of has ended. Fortunately there’s email and social media to help but it’s still not the same as putting on a uniform that matches many other people creating this group of people all trying to help or being on the Superbowl field with hundreds of others getting ready for one of the largest events in the world.

Enjoying the halftime show

Super Bowl 52–Getting Ready

Minnesota is almost ready to open Super Bowl Live in downtown Minneapolis but there is still a lot of activity finalizing the numerous attractions available for free to fans. Something Minnesota is able to do, which is nearly impossible for other Super Bowl Hosts, is ice sculptures which give a unique feel to any event.

Conert stage being built

Live outdoor performances could be a challenge depending on the outdoor temperatures but will definitely bring a festive atmosphere to this area at night. Much of this stage is built with a few remaining parts to be put into place. A recent heavy snowfall may have delayed the completion a little but it’s Minnesota and that is to be expected from time to time.

Birkebeiner Bridge and sight of NBC broadcasts

Brought into Minneapolis for this special event is the Birkebeiner Bridge which is used for the American Birkebeiner cross country ski race in Hayward, Wisconsin. Plans are to use this for skiing, snow tubing, and skijoring for those that want to give it a try. This is also the sight where NBC will be broadcasting during the Super Bowl. In the photo above you can see their purple broadcast tent already to go.

Looking down the street where Super Bowl Live will take place

Along with several fun and free activities there will be many food vendors to serve all of those hungry fans. Their temporary locations are being constructed all along the sight of Super Bowl Live. I’m looking forward to seeing all of this in action from my street level view while volunteering with the Crew 52.

Some of the attractions of Super Bowl Live

Super Bowl–Crew 52

A week from now Super Bowl 52 activities will be in full swing in Minneapolis with numerous things to do. Ever since it was announced that the Super Bowl would be in Minnesota I began making plans to be a part of it and one of those things includes volunteering with Crew 52. This is basically a hospitality group, with 1,000’s of people on any given day, during Super Bowl week welcoming fans to the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Host Committee logo

There are those that look at this with distaste saying the NFL makes enough money that people are idiots for volunteering and making more money for this very profitable organization. In reality the NFL has very little to do with Crew 52 and the  places and events we’ll be at. These are Minneapolis and Minnesota sponsored events to welcome and entertain fans traveling here for this epic game. I’m more than happy to support my local area and help those not from this area in order to provide the best experience for them possible. Many people have helped me and my family when traveling to make our visit to their area more enjoyable and memorable and I want to return that hospitality for this Super Bowl.

Pregame Show Super Bowl 26

For me this all started with the last Super Bowl in Minneapolis 25 years ago. I had the opportunity to be part of the Pre-Game crew where my job was to inflate and hold the tunnel for players to run through during introduction. The energy and excitement for a Super Bowl was something I’ve never seen before and it was such a fun experience that I absolutely wanted to be a part of it again this year. To fulfill this I began searching for information and websites shortly after the announcement of Minneapolis hosting this game. Crew 52 hat, mittens, and jacket

I found the Crew52 website before they even had anything put on it so I saved the address and continued to monitor it every now and then until it was live and I could apply for Crew 52. To be a part of this I needed to fill out the online application, go through an in person interview, approve a background check, attend an orientation, and participate in training. This training covered where we’ll be stationed, working with homeless in Minneapolis, child exploitation, and terrorism and what to do in these situations. Ohh ya, we also received shirts, jackets, hats, mittens, and a scarf so we’ll be easily recognizable to visitors to ask questions or have us take their pictures and the number of sights for Super Bowl 52. In addition to this I’m a part of the set up and take down for the half time show which I’ll write about another time.