My First Super Bowl

Glendale is home not only to Midwestern University but also the stadium of the Arizona Cardinals. This year, like much of football-loving America, I became a fan.

When the opening game came around in September, tickets were still available the week before the game. So, despite the fact that it was still well over 100 degrees and not exactly what I remember as "football weather" from my days in the Midwest, I decided to buy a ticket and see the new stadium. To be honest, I was more interested in the stadium than the game. As I watched the team, however, I found myself intrigued by the players and the excitement of the Cardinals' passing game.

A few weeks later, I was invited to see the Dallas game. Long story short, the victory over the much-favored Cowboys in an exciting game turned me into a true fan. I went out and bought my Fitzgerald #11 jersey and my Cardinals hat and sweatshirt. I then watched them lose to the Giants (Manning had a great day) and beat the Rams, clinching the division title. When the Cardinals made the playoffs, I was there to see them beat the Falcons--despite being counted out by all the national sports media and the legion of Atlanta fans who traveled to Phoenix. I watched them (on TV) beat Carolina and quickly logged on to my Ticketmaster account to buy a ticket for the Eagles home game in Glendale and the league championship. I was able to snag great seats on the 50 yard line, and I cheered every play as they again faced down the odds and the pundits and won the NFC title!

Photo: The Cardinals kick off to start the second half of the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Having attended in person four home games and both home playoff games, I felt like I was legitimate, and not just a bandwagon-jumper. I found that sitting in the stadium and cheering on the team amidst other fans was truly a wonderful communal experience. Cardinals fans may not be as long-suffering as Cubs fans (or my friends who cheer for the Browns in Cleveland), but the team has never been a consistent winner. This year was different, and their fans are truly committed. Moreover, I live in their hometown of Glendale and appreciate how much they have added to our community. I also had the chance to meet the son of their owner, Michael Bidwill, who was honored by MWU at our fall Bright Lights event for his community service.

So, I wasn't hard to make the decision that I needed to go to the Super Bowl. It took a while for me to find a decent ticket at a price I was able to stomach, but I justified it as my birthday present to myself for the next decade. Needless to say, the Super Bowl itself is quite a spectacle...even before the game starts. I spotted football fan and former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice having a burger at Champps before the game. I also saw former "Who's the Boss" actress Alyssa Milano at the NFL Experience tents. The rest of the fans, however, were just regular folks who wanted to see their team win. The preponderance of yellow "terrible towels" of the Steelers fans greatly outnumbered those of us in red. But the Cardinals fans made a respectable showing nonetheless.

Photo: A cell phone self-portrait of me (right) and my fellow Cardinals fans.

If you saw the game, I don't have to tell you what a great one it was. The highest highs were quickly followed by the lowest lows. While the interception right before halftime broke my heart, I had to respect the great play and incredible 100-yard run. Strangers "high-fived" each other and even hugged after the touchdowns. The Steelers fans, who fully expected their team to win--possibly by a blow out--were genuinely concerned when the Cardinals made their comeback late in the second half. We never doubted that Fitz would unleash a touchdown catch and that Kurt would pick apart the secondary with his precision passes. The refs made some questionable calls on both ends, and the Steelers made a great catch with 35 seconds remaining. The Cardinals fans were disappointed but still proud that our team played with such heart and determination. The Steelers fans were not gloating in victory, but respectful of their worthy opponents.

Even though my team didn't win, I had a great time and am glad I made the trip to my first Super Bowl. The Glendale Cardinals have every reason to be proud and to keep working hard to make it back next year. The core group of long-time fans were joined by newcomers like myself and a whole lot more around the country who were impressed with the game. And if all that weren't enough, there was nothing like seeing Bruce Springsteen rock out live during halftime! My first Super Bowl was a great time, and I'm looking forward to the 2009 season and a return trip.