WPRI.com Blogs » Super Bowl

We’re here!

nnekanwosu — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:24:47 +0000

Marcellus Wiley Picks the Pats

nnekanwosu — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:27:24 +0000

Former NFL player and ESPN Analyst Marcellus Wiley is picking the Patriots to win the Super Bowl 23-20. He says Brady will have a last second drive.

Celebrity Beach Bowl

nnekanwosu — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:58:38 +0000

Yes there is a beach in Indianapolis! Well, at least there was one today for the Celebrity Beach Bowl. We saw New Englanders Maria Menounos and Rhode Island’s own DJ Pauly D. We also saw Archie and Peyton Manning, Snoop Dogg, Warren Moon, Cam Newton and others! Check out my story tonight at 10 and 11

Game Ball Boy

nnekanwosu — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:11:15 +0000

James Gale of Falmouth, MA gets to bring out the game ball during Super Bowl 46. He is afraid he will trip on the field in Lucas Oil Stadium. But I think he will be fine!

Rhode Islanders in Super Bowl Village

nnekanwosu — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:07:24 +0000

Hung out with some Rhode Islanders in Super Bowl Village. Check out the story tonight at 5.

A Lot Like Vegas

matttouchette — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:20:31 +0000

A walk on Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis made me think of a previous trip to sin city. Streets closed for pedestrian use and drinking in the streets. I have to tip my hat to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Indiana State Police. Their handling of the crowds and chaos (not that there was much chaos) was very well planned and executed. Their presence and hard work made everyone feel completely safe. A job well done.

A Room with a View

matttouchette — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:10:05 +0000

That’s radio row. A massive ballroom inside the JW Marriott, full of past and present athletes, coaches, executives, analysts, and commentators. Everywhere you turn, a recognizable face. You name them and they probably made an appearance inside, even if it was for 2 minutes. Some radio stations have already packed up and left but many still remain as they discuss the topic on everyone’s mind….Super Bowl XLVI!

Madonna is here!

matttouchette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:26:55 +0000

For about 30 minutes Madonna met with us and answered questions leading up to her Super Bowl XLVI halftime show performance. Check out all my photos of her in my slideshow.

Material Girl In the House

nnekanwosu — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:15:35 +0000

Madonna held a pre-Super Bowl Press Conference. “Cherish” is my favorite Madonna song

Waiting for the Halftime Queen….

daniellenorth — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:55:31 +0000

Check out the media that have turned out for Madonnas newser…stay tuned for pics soon!!!!!

Media hard at work!

nnekanwosu — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:53:41 +0000

Usually I edit and write pretty much wherever I find a free spot. Today I opted for the Super Bowl media work room. It’s nice. Lots of other writers, reporters and editors working fast to meet deadlines! I feel at home. I am also sitting across from Carl Stevens from WBZ radio. We met at the AP Awards last year when he butchered my name . I reminded him of that. He had a good laugh. I think we’re friends.

Awaiting the Arrival of Madonna

matttouchette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:45:54 +0000

Preparations are underway for Madonna’s news conference at 2 p.m.

Oh, hello Tom Brady

nnekanwosu — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:03:25 +0000

Made you look!

Plugging Business in RI

matttouchette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:39:53 +0000

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling was on radio row pitching his company’s first video game “Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.” Schilling’s 38 Studios is based in Providence, Rhode Island.

Rodney Harrison!

matttouchette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:21 +0000

Former Pats safety Rodney Harrison was making the rounds on radio row. He’s here supporting his former team, which he played for from 2003-2008, winning two Super Bowls. Harrison gave a shout out to loyal Patriots fans in Rhode Island. He left with these two words…”GO PATS!”

Like we said…

matttouchette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:15:22 +0000

Big names on radio row!
Thursday morning on New York’s Boomer and Carton Show with former NFL player and current commentator Boomer Esaison, former Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil stopped by. Vermeil is a Super Bowl winner with the St. Louis Rams.

A Rainbow array of Security

daniellenorth — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:40:29 +0000

This is just one example of the security we run into in every corner…colored tags placed on our bags which get checked….and checked….and checked!!! All in the name of safety……

Big Names on Radio Row

matttouchette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:34:44 +0000

Wednesday saw a crowd of past an present NFL players and coaches inside radio row as well as celebrities and other athletes from the sports world. Activity is increasing Thursday and rumors are swirling that such people as Broncos QB Tim Tebow (remember him??), Super Bowl halftime performer Madonna, and former President Bill Clinton will be stopping by radio row. We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for you.

Vince Lombardi!

nnekanwosu — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:38:47 +0000

…The trophy, not the man. I got to take a picture with the Super Bowl prize this afternoon! So cool!

Zip Line Thrill!!!

daniellenorth — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:47:11 +0000

WWWWOWWW!! Producer Matt Touchette and I were super lucky to have a thrill ride on the Superbowl Village zip line!! Tickets for this attraction sell out super fast and the lines are long…but it is AMAZING!!!! 25 seconds long…flying over screaming happy crowds…We loved it!! Check out our website later for video too!!!

Shoulder-to-Shouler in Radio Row

matttouchette — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:21:34 +0000

We bumped into former Patriots Linebacker Steve DeOssie, who also played for the New York Giants, winning a Super Bowl Championship. DeOssie’s son Zak currently plays for the Giants. I’ll give you three guesses who Steve is rooting for in Super Bowl XLVI and the first two don’t count.

Already Gearing Up for Super Bowl XLVII

matttouchette — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:50:51 +0000

Wednesday we talked to host committee members from New Orleans, the site of Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. They say it’s an honor to get to host the Super Bowl once again. It will be the tenth time the city has hosted a Super Bowl, the most of any city. The last time New Orleans played host was in 2002 when the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams to win their first Super Bowl. Host committee members say they would love to welcome back the Patriots, as long it’s against the Saints though.

They’re here!

nnekanwosu — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:38:24 +0000

I went to the airport today and found lots of Rhode Islanders coming in to town for the big game. Finally, the few Pats fans here get some support!

Lovely lady?

nnekanwosu — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:36:07 +0000

Nneka named to Bleacher Report's Lovliest Ladies of Media Day Super Bowl 2012

I am shooting all of my stories (and wearing sneakers with dress clothes), so I certainly haven’t felt lovely this week. Needless to say, making the Bleacher Report’s list of the Super Bowl’s Loveliest Ladies of Media Day was flattering!

Here’s The Bleacher Report’s Super Bowl 2012: Loveliest Ladies of Media Day >

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1046700-the-lovliest-ladies-of-super-bowl-media-day/page/6#/articles/1046700-the-lovliest-ladies-of-super-bowl-media-day/page/6

Supersized fun!

daniellenorth — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:16:37 +0000

Don’t you just love a good laugh when you are having fun??? Well there is plennnnty of that to go around during an event like this! From all of the great NFL experience activities….to the zip line…concerts…parties….friends and families….people here in Indy are having some Supersized Fun this Superbowl week. Including us.

Pro Football HOF Honors the American Spirit

matttouchette — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:26:49 +0000

The Pro Football Hall of Fame had part of it’s traveling exhibit ‘Pro Football and the American Spirit’ on display just off radio row. Inside you can see and read about former Cowboys defensive tackle Chad Hennings, who was the only NFL player to serve in the Gulf War. Hennings flew 45 missions over northern Iraq. On display was the small American flag he placed on his glare shield during each of those missions as well as his helmet from his final season of his 9 year career.

Another part of the exhibit was former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Pat Tillman’s Army Ranger uniform. Tillman played for the Cardinals from 1998-2001. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks Tillman enlisted in the Army. He served several tours in Afghanistan before being killed by friendly fire in 2004 at the age of 27.

Day 3 live on radio row

matttouchette — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:48:29 +0000

Our third day here on radio row. It’s pretty quiet. Just a few radio shows on the air early along with police and hotel security who are continually making rounds. As the day moves on, who knows who or what we’ll see…

Media Day Musings

Eric Murphy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:48:23 +0000

My first media day. I have to admit I was a bit cynical about an event that’s more gimmick than the large press conference it was orginally intended to be. But the whole Super Bowl experience is fresh to me so yes, I enjoyed it immensely. Here are my thoughts as I nod off to the promise of four hours of sleep.

Most Asked Question: “Hey Rob, how’s your ankle” To his credit Gronkowski danced around that subject for one solid hour like a Prima ballerina on opening night. Gronk walked without much of a limp and he ditched the walking boot. I chatted with ESPN’s Adam Schefter who pointed out that it’s not Super Bowl week without an injury to over obsess on. Don’t get me wrong, the injury is a huge deal but your crazy if you think he won’t play. How effective he’ll be remains to be seen until we watch him actually step out onto the practice field.

Most Interesting Character: The kid from Nik Toons was funny but the most interesting guy in the house was Ross Ventrone aka Rusty Benson on Twitter. I finally had a chance to catch up with the guy that has been a part of 21 roster moves this season and has been cut several times. Needless to say he is happy to be here this week living the American dream.

Funniest Moment: The German reporters asking Gronkowski why they call Sebastian Vollmer Sea Bass. I didn’t care about Gronks answer, I just love that Vollmer is a cult hero in his home country. Is he bigger than Dirk yet? Doubtful.

Local Connection: Two Giants are from New England. Providence native and Hendricken grad Will Blackmon and former Brown star Zak DeOssie. Will was pumped to see the Rhode Island crew and even posed with us using his own camera. Zak sang the Brown fight song with ESPN’s Chris Berman. Apparently it’s some kind of Super Bowl tradition between the two former Bears.

Final Thoughts: Like I said, good times. The Patriots seemed cool and calm. The theme of the week so far. We’ll see if the mood changes as we inch closer to game day here in Indy

Push-up challenge

nnekanwosu — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:47:05 +0000

As wounded Dighton Vet Greg Reynolds Prepares for his flag football game with some of the NFL’s greats, he and I had a little push-up challenge. You’ll have to watch at 6 to see who won.

The Law Firm

nnekanwosu — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:36:39 +0000

I made a new friend at media day. He says the NE fans threw an amazing send off! Thanks fans! Go Pats!