We don’t know if you’ve heard… but Super Bowl XLVIII is this Sunday! So, here is a video of NFL lip reading to get us ready for the fun!
BEYOND THE STATS: Let’s talk about how America’s biggest sporting event makes these guys feel.
These quotes gave us the chills this week…
Said by Peyton Manning (Quarterback, Denver Broncos)
“I’ve been being asked about my legacy since I was about 25 years old. I’m not sure you can have a legacy when you’re 25 years old. Even 37… I’d have to be, like, 70 to have a legacy. I’m not even 100 percent sure what the word even means.” – ESPN
“In my 16th season, this is the third one [Super Bowl] I’ve been a part of… I know how hard it is to get here. To win it would be an extremely gratifying feeling to represent the organization. There is a ton of hard work and sacrifice that goes in just to get into this game. To win it would be very special.” – Yahoo Sports
- ‘The Chills’ Factor: Peyton Manning may be the best quarterback in the game, but don’t think he didn’t fight for it. He’s always had a reputation as a hard worker, but even after a neck injury sidelined him indefinitely, he remained dedicated. Despite all of the uncertainty, he never gave up. Peyton’s road to recovery is truly amazing and part of his great comeback started with inspiration from his family. If Manning gets that Super Bowl ring, he’ll be the second oldest quarterback ever to do so. Who was the oldest to do it? Denver’s very own John Elway.
Said by Russell Wilson (Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks)
“Being a young quarterback in the league, in my second year, watching a guy like Peyton Manning over the years, he’s done a tremendous job of being a great leader. He’s so consistent every year in his ability to make plays and put his team in a great position to win. That’s what I want to be like. That’s how I’m working to be. It’s an everyday process.” – The News Tribune
“If I can inspire just one kid, one person, that can make a huge difference.” – Russell Wilson, NBC Sports
- ‘The Chills’ Factor: Russell Wilson has been growing his hair out this season to honor his late father. During a successful high school football season, the two grew their hair out together with each win towards the state tournament. The star quarterback decided to honor his father again this season. It’s hard not to root for this kid.
Said by Richard Sherman (Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks)
“It’s very humbling to be compared to Muhammad Ali because of all of the serious ridicule that he went through, the serious racial degradation and stigmas that he had to fight, the stereotypes that he had to fight against. He had to really stand his ground and almost go to jail because he wanted to stand up for what he believed in. So I think his situation was a lot more brave and a lot more serious than my situation is now, obviously, and he had to deal with a lot more scrutiny and just headache and criticism. It’s a blessing, because he’s one of my biggest idols, and a person that I really looked up to.” – Pro Football Talk
“Because I think kids need a positive role model, and they need to understand that there are more options to the world than what they just see in their neighborhood. Especially the kids in the inner-city. They need to understand that there’s another opportunity, there’s another path that you can take, and I think if those kids take those paths and use those opportunities, they’ll benefit and our future will be very bright.” – The Seattle Times
- ‘The Chills’ Factor: Richard Sherman writes a weekly column for Sports Illustrated and Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback. This week he shared some really interesting thoughts on his experiences in the past few weeks. He brought up a lot of important issues about the influence of sports in society, and started a positive conversation. Also, check out this photo of Super Bowl Media Day through his eyes.
Said by John Fox (Coach, Denver Broncos)
“Having Super Bowl experience will help you, but I said it last year after our loss to the Baltimore Ravens (in the postseason), there’s only one happy camper in the NFL when the season is over.” – The New Jersey Star-Ledger
“To be a championship team you have to be weatherproof.” – NFL
- ‘The Chills’ Factor: Coach Fox missed 4 weeks this season after undergoing heart surgery in November. Despite this health scare, Fox was able to return to the team and lead them to the Super Bowl. Most importantly, he’s healthy.
Said by Derrick Coleman (Fullback, Seattle Seahawks)
“It’s definitely a great experience. It’s every kid’s dream. You grow up watching it. Your parents are watching it. To me, it’s still football. You go out there and you run, hit and block and do what you have to do. This is the biggest it can get.” – Derrick Coleman, The Seattle Times
“Oh, it’s tough. There were unique obstacles I had to go through. Mine was a hearing problem, but everybody on this team and everybody on the Denver Broncos, we all had some tough obstacles to get through. The difference between us all is that we overcame it all. We didn’t let it hold us back in anything that we did. We set our goal, we set our dream, and we finally accomplished it.” – Derrick Coleman, The Seattle Times
- ‘The Chills’ Factor: Derrick Coleman has overcome quite a few obstacles as the first deaf football player in the National Football League. Not only did he release an excellent commercial about his story but he also inspired all of us with his letters to 9 year old deaf twins Riley and Erin Kovalcik. He’s shown us all the importance of believing in yourself and accomplishing your dreams.
THE GAME TO WATCH
The Super Bowl: Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
(February 2nd – 6:30pm – FOX)
The stage is set, and the Super Bowl is here. The Denver Broncos face the Seattle Seahawks under the bright lights of MetLife Stadium. The Broncos offense is explosive but the Seahawks defense is equally as tough. The determined Denver defense will need to overcome injuries to take on an overlooked and motivated Seattle offense. Cold weather and wind will likely be important factors, but this game is going to come down to execution and protecting the football. There’s no doubt that both teams will show up with everybody ready to prove that they are the champs. Needless to say, we’re in for a treat.
- Something to know: Top rated defense (Seattle Seahawks) vs. top rated offense (Denver Broncos)
- Key Seahawks: Pete Carroll (Coach), Russell Wilson (Quarterback), Golden Tate (Wide Receiver), Marshawn Lynch (Running Back), Richard Sherman (Cornerback), Earl Thomas (Defensive Back), Percy Harvin (Wide Receiver), Doug Baldwin (Wide Receiver), Kam Chancellor (Safety), Michael Bennett (Defensive End)
- Key Broncos: John Fox (Coach), Peyton Manning (Quarterback), Knowshon Moreno (Running Back), Demaryius Thomas (Wide Receiver), Eric Decker (Wide Receiver). Champ Bailey (Cornerback), Julius Thomas (Tight End), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Cornerback), Terrance Knighton (Defensive Tackle), John Elway (EVP of Football Operations)
- Random Facts: Once upon a time, Russell Wilson attended camp at the Manning Passing Academy.
- Weather Report: This New York Super Bowl weather forecast currently calls for moderate weather. Wind, rain and chilly weather could be the biggest factor in this game.
The Pick: Denver Broncos*
*Chosen by SQ Co-Founder, Sara Friedman, also known in our offices as “The Coach.”
TOP NON-FOOTBALL REASONS WHY THE SUPER BOWL IS AWESOME:
- The fun themed snacks.
- You can debate the best half time performances with your friends.
- Two words: PUPPY BOWL!
- Colorado’s highest mountains have been temporarily re-named for the occasion to honor each member of the Denver Broncos.
- Super Bowl Boulevard on 40th/41st and Broadway features a toboggan (!!!). The proceeds go to MillionTreesNYC.
- It may be a cold weather Super Bowl, but you won’t have to worry about the weather in the comfort of your own home. And if you’re lucky enough to be there, you won’t care!
- Seahawks themed Skittles.
- The National Anthem. Whitney Houston’s performance from 1991 is still amazing.
- The rings sure do shine.
- Love them or hate them, it’s the one night of the year that you want to watch commercials.
- They hype, the build-up and the excitement of watching a culturally uniting and patriotic event.
- Getting together with your friends and/or family to enjoy the show… oops, we mean game 🙂
The SportsQuip 