As the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in yesterday’s Super Bowl XLIV, the game became the most-watched program in U.S. television history. The Nielsen Co. estimated today that 106.5 million people watched the Super Bowl on average. That surpasses the 1983 finale of M*A*S*H which had an average of 105.97 million viewers. The viewership estimate also blew away the previous Super Bowl record. Last year’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers was seen by “only” 98.7 million people.

Super Bowl XLIV Sets Television Record / Photo: Newscom

Source: NFL.com

Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters was named the 2009 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The announcement was made on the field yesterday at Sun Life Stadium before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Walter Payton’s family presented Brian with the award, the only league recognition that acknowledges a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.
Brian is a four-time Pro Bowler. He’s a tenacious blocker on the field and a relentless role model in his community. A 10-year NFL veteran, Brian has helped three different Chiefs runners accumulate six …read more

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was arguably the best quarterback in the National Football League in 2009. Sure, other QBs had great seasons—Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts), Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings) and Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) immediately come to mind. But no one can argue against what Drew did for the Saints. And the NFL.
Just one look at his ‘09 numbers proves that—he had the highest passer rating (a staggering 109.6), the most touchdown passes (34), and the highest completion percentage (70.6 percent). And he is unquestionably the most important player on the Saints’ roster. Yet somehow he still …read more

I know it sounds unusual—even after an NFC best 13-3 season—but the New Orleans Saints are Super Bowl Champions. The Saints used the same formula that allowed them to be successful throughout the 2009 season—coming from behind and converting a defensive turnover into points—to knock off the favored Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, and win Super Bowl XLIV.
It didn’t look good for the Saints early on, falling behind 10-0. But as it turned out, they would tie a Super Bowl deficit record by coming from behind by those 10 points to win. And why not? It was nothing they hadn’t encountered before. …read more

The Pro Football Hall of Fame (one of my “happy places”) announced its Class of 2010 this afternoon. Included were guard Russ Grimm, linebacker Rickey Jackson, cornerback Dick LeBeau, running back Floyd Little, defensive tackle John Randle, wide receiver Jerry Rice, and running back Emmitt Smith.
Outside of Dick LeBeau, I remember seeing all these guys play. And I do know modern day Dick LeBeau as “coach” LeBeau, so that makes this a very familiar class for me. One thing I found interesting was that Rickey Jackson will be the first New Orleans Saints player inducted into the Hall. On the …read more

I don’t pay much attention to NFL game predictions. And I don’t make them myself. But when Madden NFL speaks, I listen. According to the official Electronic Arts (aka EA Sports) simulation run by Madden NFL 10 on Xbox 360, the New Orleans Saints will beat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, 35-31. Think it doesn’t matter? Think again.
Utilizing each team’s current roster and the latest player statistics, Madden NFL 10 was able to accurately predict the outcome of both the NFC and AFC Championship games within a margin of three points for each game two weeks ago. EA …read more

Here’s the complete transcript from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Super Bowl XLIV press conference. The Commissioner covered a lot of ground (as he typically does with this particular event)—talking about everything from concussions to the NFL in Los Angeles to a potential (and much dreaded) work stoppage in 2011. And so much more. Enjoy.
Opening Statement:
“Good morning and welcome to everybody to Super Bowl XLIV.  We’re thrilled to have you here.  I hope you all have had a good week.  It was somewhat of a unique week in the NFL, by having the Pro Bowl here early in the week …read more

More than 1,591,000 fan votes were submitted. And Minnesota Vikings receiver/kick returner Percy Harvin won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award today. It wasn’t much of a surprise. Percy’s versatility is what set him apart. He had 2,081 combined yards, good enough for second best in the entire NFC and it also set a Vikings single-season record.
Percy recorded two kickoff returns for touchdowns, including an 101-yarder against the 49ers in Week 3. He finished fourth in the NFL with a 27.5 kick return average (42 returns for 1,156 yards). In 15 games, Percy had 60 receptions for …read more

It looks like the Vince Lombardi trophy will be a permanent fixture on the Super Bowl logo from now on—beginning with next year’s Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. There will be two versions of the logo—a national version with just the Lombardi trophy and a regional version that will also feature an image of the stadium hosting the game. Former Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback and Super Bowl XLV Host Committee member, Roger Staubach, helped to unveil next year’s logo featuring the aforementioned Lombardi trophy and the new Cowboys Stadium.
I really don’t care if the NFL changes the Super …read more

Be one of the first to preview Skechers’ first ever Super Bowl commercial, featuring testimonials by real consumers and Super Bowl legend Joe Montana. Then simply comment on this post before game time Sunday (6 p.m. ET on Feb. 7) and you’ll be entered to win a free pair of Skechers Shape-Ups. By the way, I really don’t want to know what your shoe size is. If I draw your name, Skechers will send you a coupon for the free pair of shoes.
It’s fitting that Skechers’ first Super Bowl ad is for its popular Shape-Ups athletic shoe and endorsed …read more