Super Bowl Media Madness

Media Madness, the Super Bowl, and You

Media outlets will pull no punches during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. With only one game to talk about and a lot of time to fill, anything and everything is fair game, during the week and especially on Media Day.

Hank Baskett probably answered more questions about his lovely wife and little baby then he did about football. Reggie Bush was probably tired of dodging questions about whether he will propose to Kim Kardashian if the Saints win. It would not be surprising to find out that every single Colt player was asked how Dwight Freeney’s ankle is really doing (as if they have special insight).

Someone garners attention with an outlandish appearance usually like Saints defensive tackle

with his Mohawk and shades. This media day was more proper and business like than most others with an American Idol style competition being one of the more interesting events (Colts guard Jaimie Thomas and Saints tight end Tyler Lorenzen were the winners).

Colt wide receiver Pierre Garcon took the opportunity with his time at the podium on Media Day to continue raising awareness for earthquake ravaged Haiti, where his parents are from.

The first player of Indian descent, reserve defensive tackle John Gill, to be on a Super Bowl roster got asked just a couple questions, one by a ten year old kid and the other by someone that thought he played offensive line and wanted to know what it was like to go up against Robert Mathis.

One of the better stories to come from all the media attention that goes with the Super Bowl would have to be about Indianapolis Colt starting offensive linemen, Kyle DeVan. Not too long ago the former Oregon State Beaver was the most intimidating substitute teacher since the Governator played one in Kindergarten Cop (DeVan weighs in at 6’2” and 300+ pounds). After short stints with the Jets and Redskins, his playing days looked to be done after getting cut in December of 2008 from the Jets practice squad.

Not even a year ago he was calling up his former principal looking to pick up work as a substitute while living with his parents. However, his love for the game found him playing for the Boise Burn of the AFL2. From there he got a chance to try out for the Colts and made the active roster. Now, after starting 9 regular season games, he will be taking the field with the first team offense of the Colts.

People tend to forget that there are more players on the team than the superstars. Manning would be no where were it not for guys like DeVan protecting him from defenders looking to put some remember me shots on the QB. While many of us envy the salaries and the fame that these players have, we forget the stories about the guys like Kyle DeVan who never gave up on his dream and guys like John Gill who are just happy to be there.

So when watching the big game this Sunday remember that it is about more than just the superstars, but also a fine example of where hard work and perseverance can get you.

Article written by Travis Pulver

Tags: John Gill, Kim Kardashian, Kyle DeVan, Peyton Manning, Pierre Garcon, Reggie Bush, Remi Ayodele, Robert Mathis, Super Bowl Media