SBXLII Media Day: Phoenix Convention Center, University of Phoenix Stadium

Photos by David Kindervater

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

My day began at 5 a.m. This after three hours of sleep. If anyone thinks watching football games and writing about the NFL is fun and easy — well, you would be half right. It is fun. But it’s rarely easy. After a late arrival into Phoenix Sky Harbor and a very late dinner last night, my Media Day prep took me to the point of nodding off in front of my laptop. Three restless hours of sleep later I was back at it while eating breakfast, doing the usual morning stuff and grabbing a taxi into the city. I felt like crap. I didn’t wear a jacket because the forecast looked good, but let me tell you — it’s cold here in the morning! Like low-40s cold.

After checking in at the Media Center (which is housed in the beautiful new Phoenix Convention Center), I had about an hour before buses were scheduled to shuttle my fellow writers and broadcasters and I to the University of Phoenix stadium for Super Bowl XLII Media Day. So I wandered. The NFL has completely taken over this building and downtown Phoenix. The indoor and outdoor signage alone is incredibly impressive. They spared no expense. A Media Lounge offered a relaxing environment to talk with others, play pool, foosball or video games. The Media Workroom and Radio Row were already buzzing with activity, even at this early hour. Table after table offered all sorts of information, from the latest press releases (which I prefer to grab online) to team media and postseason guides. I can do without most of this stuff because I live in an electronic world, but I did pick up a Patriots media guide as a keepsake from a potentially historic year. I thought it was interesting that no player was featured on the front cover. It’s just a logo. I’m not sure how many other teams do this, but if you know the New England Patriots, it makes sense. Gatorade hosted a G2 Lounge (named after their latest product). And the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee was giving away free samples of Cold Stone Creamery Kahala ice cream. It’s a fun place to be.

My trip out to the stadium was made far more interesting as Ridgeway Transportation’s Chris Haggerty sat next to me and shared all sorts of interesting stories from Super Bowls past. Chris has been in charge of transportation for the past 14 Super Bowls. He said this was the first time he actually got on one of the transport buses to see what it was like from our perspective. We had a police (Arizona highway patrol) motorcycle escort. When we arrived in Glendale (about a 20 minute drive from downtown), the University of Phoenix stadium stuck out as though a spaceship had landed there (the exterior skin represents a barrel cactus). This place is an impressive monstrosity in the middle of nowhere. We went through all sorts of security checks and eventually ended up inside. What an amazing facility. The retractable roof was closed, but that was about to change as New England Patriots Media Day was about to start.