AMERICA’S biggest sporting event will be this Sunday (Monday morning PH time) with a slightly toned-down halftime show (Jennifer Lopez and Shakira rocked the stage last year). It was reported that Canadian artist and three-time Grammy winner The Weekend (real name Abel Tesfaye) – will be performing at halftime – donated $7 million of his own money for production costs. Several sponsors like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Budweiser and Hyundai pulled out because of the current situation.
Compared to the 62,000 plus attendance during last year’s Super Bowl LIV, fans inside Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium will be limited to 22,000. 7,500 of them will be health care workers from Tampa and central Florida areas who have completed their coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the first football team to play the Super Bowl in their home arena. The Bucs had 11 National Football League (NFL) playoff appearances and won the Super Bowl in 2002 (SB XXXVII). With their new but old (by pro sports standards) quarterback, they will be going up against defending champions Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Tom Brady spent his first 20 seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and appeared in nine Super Bowls, winning six of them as an important contributor to the Patriots’ dynastic run from 2001 to 2019.
Some good things have to end. Union between Brady and the Pats was dissolved last year, with Brady reportedly feeling “unwanted” by the team. As a senior and important member of the Patriots, coaches asked for his offensive inputs but in turn completely ignored. Due to other misunderstandings, it eventually led to breakup.
At 42-years old and with an NFL Hall of Fame career, Brady, a 4-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time NFL MVP and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year is now quarterbacking for the Buccaneers and he is on his 10th Super Bowl. Brady is gunning for his sevent championship.
For over 30 years, Brady and LeBron James are the only athletes in the four US major league sports who had played in ten championships. LeBron won titles in Cleveland (2), Miami (1) and LA Lakers (1). LeBron has a four-six record in his ten Finals appearances. Brady is six-three in his championship trips, winning all six in New England. Will this be his seventh title?/PN
