I have been remiss in not sharing all the details I know about former Lobo Brian Urlacher's decision during Super Bowl XLI media day that earned him an infamous $100,000 fine from the NFL. I stuck to Urlacher like glue during his entire one-hour media day public appearance, and here's what I saw:

The star players, including Urlacher, sat at their own dais constructed out of wood. They were surrounded by mobs of reporters and cameras ready to fire questions for 60 minutes. The Bears went first and were in uniform for the event. Urlacher's teammates who chose to wear hats during the event all were wearing Chicago Bears caps, usually with some variation of the Super Bowl XLI logo.

Urlacher's agent and long-time friend Bryce Karger and brother Casey Urlacher milled around waiting for him to enter the media area along the sidelines of Dolphin Stadium. They huddled briefly with Urlacher and handed him a brand new Vitamin Water hat and bottle of Vitamin Water at the last second before he took his seat.

Urlacher fielded questions for about 10 to 15 minutes when a group of NFL representatives huddled nearby. One stepped up and whispered to Urlacher that he had to remove the hat. Urlacher grimmaced, then handed it back to Karger and his brother. One of the reporters asked Urlacher if he endorsed Vitamin Water, and Urlacher proudly said he had a deal with the company.

A few minutes later, the NFL representative returned to tell Urlacher he could not have his Vitamin Water on the dais either. Urlacher reluctantly handed the water off to Karger and his brother. When the same NFL staff member offered Urlacher a bottled water, he slapped it off the dais with the back of his hand and said something like "I don't drink that."

Urlacher told the Dan Patrick Show when he returned to his locker, there was a notice he would be fined for violating NFL rules. Players were instructed about they were allowed to wear and what products were allowed before all Super Bowl events. Vitamin Water, a competitor of big-time NFL sponsor Gatorade, certainly wasn't allowed.

Vitamin Water offered to pay the fine, but Urlacher refused and said he would rather pay it himself since he knew the rules and violated them anyway. The company matched te fine with a $100,000 donation to the United Way, hoping to smooth relations with the NFL by giving to its top chariity. Urlacher also has been active with the United Way throughout his career.

Despite the heat and glare from cameras, Urlacher never put on another hat or drank anything during the final 35 minutes of his mandatory media day interviews.

Contrary to what he has said, I think displaying the Vitamin Water items was a calculated move by Urlacher to make a splash for a company that has enjoyed attention money can't really buy since the fine was imposed. Perhaps it's Urlacher's charm or the massive excess of corporate sponsorship during the Super Bowl, but I don't think Urlacher made an especially sinister move. I think it is kind of admirable that he is fiercely loyal to the companies who have supported him, granted he does get paid well for such loyalty. Those same companies have provided a lot of donations to New Mexico and helped make Urlacher a lovable, friendly household name. Vitamin Water has used an array of humorous commercials to show his softer side.

Posted by ilimon at 09:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I'm sure you've cleaned up the party leftovers, and I've finally made it back to Albuquerque after Super Bowl XLI. I posted one final gallery of my game day photos on the Trib's Web site. Former Lobo Brian Urlacher looks pretty bummed, and that's pretty much the vibe he gave off with his answers as well. It's really tough losing a Super Bowl, especially when the start of the game went so well for his team.

On a lighter note, here are some of the things I learned spending a week in Miami:

1. Bears and Colts fans can't dance. It was amusing watching them invade Cuban restaurants and take a stab at salsa dancing.

2. Someone decided to call South Beach SoBe. So now everyone calls it SoBe. I think that may hurt the area's cool factor more than it helps it.

3. Las Vegas and California has Inn and Out Burger. The stars' favorite fast food joint is .... Johnny Rockets. Yes, it's the same cookie cutter diner in most malls across America. They call it The Rocket. Every day in the Miami Herald, a new star was spotted eating at The Rocket during Super Bowl week. I don't get the draw, but it was the best place for celeb sitings.

4. Miami is like LA of the South. Loads of construction and angst for the locals, who had to deal with even more traffic than usual.

5. Tim Hardaway, one my favorite UTEP players when I growing up in El Paso, has a car wash in Miami. I think it's amusing how many athletes own car dealerships and car washes. I guess they sell well.

6. Even Cuban ex-pats have their limits. They hate Fidel Castro but not enough to feel completely comfortable throwing a party celebrating his death. City officials began the week talking about juggling the possibility of Castro's death coinciding with the Super Bowl. They said they would have a party at the Orange Bowl to contain the celebration. Then some people pointed out that was just a little creepy. So the celebration plans were toned down and it was made clear the gathering, not a party, would celebrate the potential political climate change in Cuba. Fancy tap dancing there.

7. There seems to be a really huge rift between the rich and working class in Miami. I have never seen more luxury cars in my life. It's not every day you see a Lamborghini. But on the flip side, the working class is being priced out of living anywhere in Miami and struggling to get by each day. Cab drivers, hotel workers and restaurant employees I talked to all had to do a ton of extra work to make South Florida look good during the Super Bowl, but they aren't going to get much of the financial reward out of it. Not cool.

Well, that's a wrap on my Super Bowl experience. A huge thanks to the Tribune for spending me on the trip and to our readers for checking out my coverage from Miami.

Posted by ilimon at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not sure if there is an ickier feeling as a sports reporter than heading into a losing locker room.

It turns out losing locker rooms are bad everywhere, but the Super Bowl losing locker room is especially ugly. When you reach the epic stage of your sport and are about to be crowned a world champion and fail, that's a special kind of pain. And microphones and cameras certainly don't help you deal with it. This is not to say this is the worst situation a reporter can be in by any stretch. When I was a police reporter, interviewing homicide victims' families was far worse. Still, it the Chicago Bears' postgame locker room and interviews in the media area weren't pretty. To add insult to injury, the guys had to listen to part of the Colts postgame celebration while answering reporters' questions in a mass interview area because NFL officials forgot to turn off the live feed to the field being piped into the area. Very nice touch.

Big Brian Urlacher handled the drama as well as could be expected. Better, in fact, if you hold him to the Peyton Manning standard from last year. This year's Super Bowl MVP was the same guy who threw his teammates under the bus last year when they lost in the playoffs. Urlacher lost the Super Bowl this year but met him midfield after the game to congratulate him and didn't lash out at his teammates. Urlacher could have just obliterated Rex Grossman for his Rextastic play, but he didn't.

Check out Monday's Tribune for a last shot of Super Bowl coverage from South Floirda. I'll also have some photo galleries up soon on the Trib's Web site with images from inside the stadium and Urlacher's postgame interview.

Posted by ilimon at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why settle for one big interception when you can give up two in a row?

It's Rextastic! (you must understand that means fantastically bad by now).

Rex Grossman is trying to get the Bears back in this game, but his biggest trouble always seems to have been trying to do more than he is actually capable of doing on the football field. You know, forcing things.

I'll be heading down for some postgame interviews soon. I have a feeling Mr. Urlacher ain't going to be chatty. Hard to blame him.

Stick with the Trib's resident couch potato Phil Parker for more game analysis and check my blog soon for more postgame coverage.

Posted by ilimon at 07:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rex Grossman completed a big pass, and I thought maybe he'd rewrite my definition of Rextastic (fantastically bad).

Not so much.

No, he threw an interception in traffic on a first-and-10. The Colts ran it back for a touchdown, although the Bears are challenging the call. It's gonna be close, but with Rex's luck it will stand. Sure enough, it did and the Colts lead the Bears 29-17 with 11:44 left in the game.

Now I'm going to keep using the term Rextastic. This game is really Rextastic for the Bears. They're about to lose the Super Bowl, which I'd imagine feels real crappy.

Posted by ilimon at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Colts took a big risk challenging another play when they lost a challenge earlier. Does Tony Dungy believe his team is so awesome it won't need things like timeouts late in the game? Sure, Indianapolis got the call but there's no guarantee it would go their way.

That's Rextastic. (Fantastically bad for those just catching up).

Posted by ilimon at 07:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've got a new word now: Rextastic. It means fantastically bad, until Rex Grossman changes my mind today.

By the way, right now the Bears' offense is Rextastic. All they got out of awesome field position was a field goal, which is better than the near interception Rextastic Grossman almost handed to the Colts.

Posted by ilimon at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Colts gave the Bears great field position with an awkward kickoff and a penalty on the return. The only question is whether Chicago's offense can figure out to score. Most NFL teams have at least a 90 percent chance of scoring when they get inside the 50-yard line.

Hey, there's that Kevin Federline commercial. It may have been his funniest rap moment ever. And, I hope, his last.

Posted by ilimon at 06:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can see the TV broadcast on a monitor at my seat. (I'm not bragging). But the other fans here can't, and it makes for the world's longest game ever. And a lot of standing around for the players waiting for the TV cameras. And a lot of time for Rex Grossman to search the Bears sideline for a place to hide. He promised he was up for this game. He's had a few good passes, but it's been typical Rex. Two steps forward, a million backward.

It's on the defense and special teams to get the Bears back ahead.

Posted by ilimon at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oooh, someone in the press box is gonna get it after convincing Tony Dungy there weren't 11 players on the field for the Bears. He challenged the call and the rest of the world got to count the 11 Chicago players real easily on replay. The Colts were charged with a timeout, a real blow in such a close game.

Adam Vinatieri hit the field goal to push the Colts ahead 19-14, but you gotta think it's a victory for the Bears not to give up a touchdown on that drive. Now their offense has to do something. Or they need another kickoff return for a touchdown.

Posted by ilimon at 06:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In case you're curious, former Lobo Brian Urlacher had six tackles and pass broken up in the first half. He's not a happy camper right now, as the Colts continue chewing up the Bears' defense in the third quarter. He's shouting at his teammates and raising his arms at them, If I were them, I'd fall into line because he doesn't look like a dude you want to cross when he's angry.

Posted by ilimon at 06:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The teams are back on the field. There was a rumor reported by a CBS affiliate in Chicago that both teams would have chefs provide snacks at halftime because it was going to run so long. The bigger problem may be dealing with more rain. It's been clear all week, but now it won't stop. And there's leftover smoke from Prince's halftime show, so it's a big old foggy mess in Dolphin Stadium as they start the third quarter.

Posted by ilimon at 06:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is this a sign of the apocalypse?

Adam Vinatieri missed a field goal to end the first half. I didn't know he could miss in the playoffs.

One can only hope the second half will be filled with as much excitement and drama because it's a lot more fun to watch than most of the lame blowout Super Bowls.

Ooooh .... here comes Prince.

And he's got what looks like the Miami marching band on the sidelines.

Posted by ilimon at 05:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The rain here is coming down in steady sheets, and I have to think that's helping cause all these crazy turnovers. At least I'm sure Rex Grossman will want to hide behind that excuse after looking pretty shaky late in the second quarter.

I never saw a betting line on the odds of there being a billion turnovers for both teams in this game. Somebody, somewhere is making a lot of money off all these turnovers.

Posted by ilimon at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The momentum has shifted back to the Colts in this wild game.

Here in the stadium, you can feel the change. During the opening quarter, the Bears were puffed up and looking like they were larger than life. Right about now, down 16-14 with about five minutes left in the first half, they aren't quite deflated but they certainly aren't moving around like they are untouchable.

Posted by ilimon at 05:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I never expected this kind of wacky start from two relatively tame NFL teams. Sure, the Colts have an explosive offense but they haven't provided the biggest sparks so far in this Super Bowl. It's early, with the score 14-6 Bears with 3:12 left in the first quarter, but it's a nice start for Chicago. And I can't help but think the Colts' botched extra point is going to come into play at some point.

Posted by ilimon at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I posted some pregame photos on the Trib Web site. You can find them at this link.

So far the Bears fans here are very, very happy. This is the best start the Bears could have asked for under any circumstances. Opening kickoff returned for a touchdown, interception and Rex Grossman didn't throw a pick on his first pass attempt of the game. He almost did on the second, but they only need him to be almost good in this game.

Before everyone gets too giddy, this is how the Colts started off that AFC Championship game they won. Choke early, pull of miraculous comeback late. We'll see what happens.

Posted by ilimon at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Devin Hester just sent this crowd into a frenzy with the unbelievable opening kickoff return for the touchdown. He weaved through some traffic to get the opening. Madness.

Posted by ilimon at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've probably heard the national anthem about 100 times during the past year. This one was the best. Billy Joel kept it short and sweet, and the jet flyover was really impressive. Above all, the energy and excitement in this stadium is unbelievable.

Posted by ilimon at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aside from fireworks and whole bunch of parties, all was quiet for both teams Saturday in Miami.

The Bears flew in the chef who normally feeds the team before games to maintain a little consistency and bring a touch of normalcy to one wacky and crazy week. Although it is common for teams to change hotels before game day, Chicago is staying put. About 400 friends and relatives are in town to support the team, but they are staying at a separate hotel. Former Lobo Brian Urlacher said he planned to get to bed as early as possible Saturday night and skip the whole club scene on South Beach all of this week, adding he can come back any time. Good for him, because is the worst time to try to get out anyway.

Miami is overloaded with people. And the natives are getting restless, tiring of all the lost tourists getting in their way. I have to say, it's really funny to see a bunch of Midwesterners -- from Indianapolis and Chicago -- taking over sunny South Florida. There was some seriously ugly dancing going on at some Cuban restaurants. Ah well, it's good for them to branch out anyway.

The vendors I've talked to around the city have Bears merchandise heavily outselling Colts gear. And I'm seeing loads more Bears fans than Colts fans. It's not too surprising, but it looks the Chicago fans will take over Dolphin Stadium on game day.

Check out our bonanza of Super Bowl stories at abqtrib.com. And don't forget to check out all the links on the right side, complete with some really cool old Tribune stories about Urlacher's early years. I give Trib editor Phill Casaus for writing way back on April 3, 1997, the words Urlacher and Monster were an important combination we should all remember. This was three years before Urlacher was drafted and became the star Monster of the Midway. It's all in that archive. Good reading.

Posted by ilimon at 07:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NFL had press conferences with Billy Joel and Prince promoting the Super Bowl entertainment. Joel will be singing the national anthem for a second time in his music career and Prince will be doing the halftime show.

Joel was pretty sarcastic with reporters, explaining he did not think it was a big deal singing the national anthem. He said it was a tough song and "America The Beautiful" is a lot better and easier to sing, but he'll make the most of it. He also said he is aware people are worried about the length of the long and the last time he did it, he came in around a minute and a half.

Then came Prince. The Purple One is notoriously reclusive, so it was a little surprising he was doing this press conference. Well, he wore Florida orange from head to toe and opted to play a few songs live instead of answering questions. He came to the stage and said contrary to what was said, he would take a few questions. One reporter finally shouted a question, asking how Prince felt about playing the Super Bowl. Prince responded by laughing and launching into his musical numbers.

He is supposed to be doing more widely loved popular stuff, not the sexier and racier work of his early days. His backup dancers were still scantily clad, so I wouldn't rule out another wardrobe malfunction or fines for some heavy petting that PC police might not like during a game watched by a lot of kids. I think you have to expect a little unpredictable behavior with Prince, but the NFL folks seemed happy to have him around.

Pepsi, which is hosting the halftime show, also announced a big give away. The company created the world's most expensive Pepsi can made with rubies, sapphires and diamonds and will give it away to one lucky fan. The same fan also will get a cooler gift, Super Bowl tickets for life. You can sign up for the contest at this Super Bowl Web site.

Posted by ilimon at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Former Lobo Brian Urlacher is officially a free man. He completed his last round of interviews with the media this morning. He gamely answered the final round of questions from reporters. I give him credit for staying calm after answering the same questions easily 20 times.

Check back for more updates later today.

I'm getting ready to head back to the media center for press conferences with Billy Joel, who seems like a football kind of guy and will be singing the national anthem, and Prince, who doesn't seem like a football guy and will be doing the halftime show. I saw the spoof on Chapelle's Show with Dave Chapelle dressed as The Purple One playing basketball, but I'm not sure he really digs sports. I really want to see how the notoriously shy guy reacts to a room full of sportswriters. Fun!

Posted by ilimon at 09:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today the Bears and Colts fielded more questions from the media before they headed off to closed practices. Questions. How could we have more questions after the wacky media day? Well, I didn't say they were particularly original, but there were a few interesting notes that came out of the press conferences.

Both teams were asked about the pressure they face this week. They all stipulated there is a ton of pressure on them as they prepare for the Super Bowl, the biggest games of their lives on the biggest stage in the world.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning offered the most amusing response when if this was the most pressure he had ever felt in his life.

Continue reading "Normal? What's normal?" »

Posted by ilimon at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The NFL announced this year fans will have four of 16 votes required to earn Super Bowl MVP trophy. The fans can vote online at Superbowl.com or can send a text message with the player's first and last name 99777 during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. The MVP wins the Pete Rozelle Trophy and a 2007 Red Limited Edition Cadillac XLR.

The player who receives the most fan support gets 2.5 votes toward the MVP award, while the next in line gets one vote and third place gets half a vote.

Not that I would advocate any trickery, but it seems voting early and often is in order for New Mexico fans who want to see former Lobo and Bears star Brian Urlacher win the MVP trophy. I also would suggest practicing your text messaging skills. How many of you are really ready to text the name Urlacher anyway?

Posted by ilimon at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My media day updates are coming shortly, but you should check out Tribune reporter Ollie Reed's amazing story on Brian Urlacher's impact on the town of Lovington. I think he did a great job capturing what Urlacher means for the small town.

Posted by ilimon at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oh my God, it lived up the hype.

Media was a total circus today, with hundreds of reporters firing questions at players that ranged from serious to absurd. Former Lobos star Brian Urlacher handled himself well in the face of a huge mob.

Apparently they hand out credentials like candy for this event. Mo Rocca posed quirky questions for segments that will air on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I think he's fallen on hard times since he left The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. And it was a bummer to learn his act is completely scripted a producer off screen holds up cue cards for him so doesn't forget his one-liners.

It was more than a little icky to watch Kenneth Briggs and Jonathan Jayne, the American Idol wannabes who were infamously insulted by judge Simon Cowell, interview players. They were sent to the Super Bowl as correspondents for the Jimmy Kimmel Show and approached players on both teams while producers whispered questions in their ears. The guys attempted to get as many players as possible to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Urlacher didn't bite but several other players did sing along.

Reporters from Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood also threw in some wacky questions and handed out awards. Urlacher received the Dick Butkus Award presented by former sports anchor turned entertainment talking head Kevin Frazier, who explained Entertainment Tonight decided he shouldd launch an acting career just like Butkus.

I'm editing audio and pictures now, and will get them online as quickly as possible. Check back soon for more updates.

Posted by ilimon at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is my first round of pictures from the Super Bowl. I'm going to add pictures as much as possible to provide readers with the sights of the Super Bowl. I'll also have a podcast up soon with the sounds. See, you get it all right here. One stop shopping.

Continue reading "Super Bowl photos" »

Posted by ilimon at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just realized my story for today's Trib on the impact having two black coaches squaring off in the Super Bowl could have on college coaches like UNM's defensive coordinator Osia Lewis is hard to find on our Web site. So here's the link: Dungy, Smith seen as trailblazers.

Posted by ilimon at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow. I've covered a lot of major sporting events, but this one already is by far the craziest. And we haven't hit the three-ring circus that is media day, which begins early tomorrow morning. It's the day when all players from both teams are available to answer media questions at Dolphin Stadium, That should be a whole lotta fun. And funny.

It was my first day in Miami, although the Bears beat me here and arrived last night. Coach Lovie Smith and six players were available for interviews Monday. Brian Urlacher wasn't one of them. I'm pretty sure Urlacher was happy about dodging the mob since he's a pretty quiet guy. That left embattled quarterback Rex Grossman as the center of attention. He handled the icky questions pretty well. I have to admit, it's one thing to talk about a guy's weak performances, it's a whole other thing for a pack of reporters to fire a barrage of questions at him for 20 minutes, many of them rephrasing the same question -- "How do you feel about your reputation as a bad quarterback?" Smith pointed out Grossman has handled the questions all season, so he's used to the scrutiny. Grossman was classy about it and never seemed to let the comparisons to Peyton Manning get under his skin.

Urlacher''s teammates had a lot of praise for him in his absence. They all refer to him as the quarterback of Chicago's defense and point out he wasn't on the field when the Colts beat the Bears a few years ago during their last meeting. They all expect big Url to do big things on Super Bowl Sunday.

I'm working on some stories for tomorrow's Trib, then I'll jump back on the blog to provide more updates, photos and audio from today. Look for more entries soon.

Posted by ilimon at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Chicago Bears landed in Miami Sunday afternoon. I'm in Florida but didn't make it in time to catch their arrival. I took a more circuitous and less expensive route than they did, but I have a few notes to pass along from press conference transcripts.

Coach Lovie Smith and former Lobo Brian Urlacher were among the select representatives selected to speak on behalf of the Bears.

During his first meeting with the media in Miami Sunday night, Urlacher said, "I slept the whole flight. That's good, I wasn't anxious. It was nice to look out and see all the cameras out there to see what we're going through."

Urlacher and his teammates said they are focused on the Super Bowl rather than the endless distractions and along star-studded South Beach.

"Our motto all year for the most part: Finish every play, finish every game," Urlacher said. "Whatever happens, happens, but make sure you finish all the time."

That's all for now. I will be in Miami tomorrow with loads of updates. You also can check out Monday's Trib for more Urlacher and Super Bowl-related news.

Posted by ilimon at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Tribune has spent a lot of time during the past 10 years following Brian Urlacher's career. And the editors at the Trib said a reporter would follow him if he made it to the Super Bowl. The gig typically goes to the UNM football beat writer, since we don't exactly have someone who covers professional football regularly. So I knew if the Bears (or even the Eagles, Vikings or Jets) made it to the Super Bowl, I'd get a chance to go too.

Last year, the Bears were a pretty good regular season team but quickly fell apart in the playoffs. I didn't think this year would be much different, although I wished Urlacher and company the best. Then they started winning. And winning. And hitting Reggie Bush so hard I didn't think he would stand up, much less run by them again.

All of a sudden, the Bears were in the Super Bowl and the NFL approved my Super Bowl credential request conditional on Chicago making it to the big game.

Oh my God, I'm going to Super Bowl! In Miami!

Continue reading "I'm going to the Super Bowl!" »

Posted by ilimon at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)