super success in south florida

South Florida proud of its success as host city and sets the bar for future Super Bowl

In front of a global stage, South Florida showcased everything the region had to offer during Super Bowl festivities. Super Bowl XLI was full of memorable moments, glitz and glam, celebrities, lavish events and a continent of loyal Bears and Colts fans that descended on South Florida – most even without tickets to the game. They came wanting to be part of their team’s run at Super Bowl glory, but also got to enjoy South Florida’s warm winter weather, world class restaurants and hotels and world famous nightlife. With the community gathering around as the region hosted the game for a record-tying ninth time – it became clear the Super Bowl is meant for South Florida.

 

Super Bowl XLI was historic even as sunny South Florida became soggy – as Super Bowl XLI became the first Super Bowl ever to be played in the rain, but the Super Bowl was memorable for many reasons. Right from the very start, Chicago Bears and former University of Miami player Devin Hester became the first player to ever return the opening kickoff for a touchdown during a Super Bowl game. Also, with the Indianapolis Colts win, Head Coach Tony Dungy became the first African American to coach his team to a Super Bowl victory and Super Bowl XLI defined Colts’ Quarterback Peyton Manning legacy as he cemented his place among Pro Football’s elite.

 

South Florida is still counting the benefits of hosting the Super Bowl game, with an economic impact estimated to surpass $300 million. While the Super Bowl game is the center, Super Bowl week was a flurry of events, parties and activities that were held throughout South Florida. The Host Committee hosted a series of signature events called the Super Celebration Series. Thousands attended these events – many of which were free and open to public. These were events included: Opening Ceremonies: A Salute to South Florida’s Super Tradition, Motorola Mile at Ocean Drive, Super Clematis by Night, Volleypalooza, Super Saturday in the Sand, Super Blast on Biscayne and Super Sunday Brunch.

 

The Host Committee would like to thank all who helped make Super Bowl XLI memorable. Hosting the Super Bowl would not have been possible without the generosity of sponsors or the support of the community and help from the many residents that volunteered their time during the Super Bowl. South Florida’s strong and vibrant community showing their support made the Super Bowl a super success and set the bar for communities hosting future Super Bowls.

by - Kristin Eleazer

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Host committee OFFICIAL PEP RALLY

Fans celebrate Bears and Colts at Super Saturday Blast on Biscayne

Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts fans flocked to Bicentennial Park on Saturday night to take part in their team’s pep rallies during the Host Committee’s Super Saturday Blast on Biscayne. 

Ron Gleason from Bear Radio 780 started the Chicago pep rally off by handing over the microphone to the fans.  One lucky fan was brought onstage to lead the crowd in the singing of the Chicago anthem, “Bear Down Chicago Bears.”  The already enthusiastic crowd continued to cheer as Super Bowl Champion and former Bears’ player, William “Refrigerator” Perry was introduced on stage. The pep rally concluded with a highlight video of the Bears’ season and their journey to the Super Bowl. 

The Indianapolis Colts may not have their own anthem but that didn’t seem to matter to their fans.  The Colts Cheerleaders took front and center to begin the pep rally rousing Colts’ fans with an exciting dance and cheer routine. Blue the mascot helped keep the crowd pumped by trying to out-dance the cheerleaders and helped keep the crowd cheering for their Colts. The pep rally ended with all the Colts’ fans in the audiences cheering for their team to win the Super Bowl. 

The Saturday Blast on Biscayne event was the Host Committee’s official pep rallies for the AFC and NFC Champion teams. The FREE event also included live musical performances by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, STYX and Willy Chirino. The night ended with the NFL’s Saturday Night Fireworks Spectacular lighting up the waters of Biscayne Bay.

- by Alyse DiGaetano

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hootie headlines super bowl week kickoff concert

Opening Ceremonies: A Salute to South Florida's Super Tradition kicks off a week of festivities in South Florida on January 29

On Sunday, February 4, the teams will walk into their locker rooms to prepare for the biggest game of their lives, and not a single fan will get anywhere near them.

Jose Leonardo, a 48-year-old Miamian from the Kendall area recalls a much simpler time.

The year was 1971, and the Miami Orange Bowl played host to Super Bowl V.  Leonardo was 12 years old, and the previous spring he had spent a weekend picking tomatoes in Miami in order to pay the $44 for his Miami Dolphins season tickets. “I remember when I could go right up to the team bus and get autographs from players as they got off,” said Leonardo.

To say that things have changed would be an understatement. As the game has been played here nine times, it could be said you could trace the evolution of the game right here.

The South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee held an event Monday, January 29 called “A Salute to South Florida’s Super Bowl Tradition.” As South Florida Super Bowl MVPs were honored at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood along with former Dolphins and a bevy of other NFL personalities, the parallel changes in the game and the region were clearly visible.

Take, for instance, the first Super Bowl hosted in South Florida. Bart Starr was the MVP of Super Bowl II held in 1968. The Vince Lombardy coached Green Bay Packers bested John Madden’s Oakland Raiders at the Orange Bowl, and tickets cost only $12.

Compare that to Sunday’s Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium. The game boasts the only African-American coaches to lead their teams to the Super Bowl and face value for a ticket is $600. More than the game itself, the atmosphere around the Super Bowl has changed. This year’s game is the first to be marketed as a South Florida Super Bowl rather than claiming Miami as the host city.

Former NFL wide receiver Lynn Swann agreed that the region has changed since he earned MVP honors in Super Bowl X, hosted again by the Orange Bowl.

“Everything’s different,” said Swann.  He went on to specify that the marketing of the game and media presence have grown especially large.

Just as the Super Bowl has grown from a Sunday event that attracted a modest crowd and viewing audience and has changed into a media event of gigantic scale that attracts sellout crowds and a viewing audience of over 130 million, since Super Bowl II in 1968, South Florida has been transformed from an isolated vacation region with a few tourist spots and terrific weather to a booming megatropolis flush with industry and tourism dollars.

“It was a different city…totally different. Night and day,” said Leonardo.

While the increased economic impact and the great publicity for the region are welcomed by South Floridians, they acknowledge that inflated prices and sprawling development have their drawbacks.

“Now the average fan can’t enjoy the game.  I’m sad that it leaves out the true diehards,” said Leonardo.

Today, you’ll no sooner find a $12 Super Bowl ticket than you’ll find Leonardo’s tomato patch in the middle of Miami.  Each has been replaced by a steadily growing entity that shows no signs of slowing down.

- by Mitch Carr