Kucko Blog: Family affair at the Super Bowl
By: John Kucko
Updated: January 31, 2013
(New Orleans) Jack and Jackie Harbaugh are amongst the most proud folks in New Orleans this week. They are the parents of John and Jim and will be watching patiently as the two brothers lead their respective teams onto the field for Super Bowl Sunday, the first time that's ever happened. The senior Harbaugh's have frame of reference for this, as the Ravens and 49ers met in 2011 on Thanksgiving night. "It was emotionless," said Jack. "there wasn't any cheering. There wasn't any emotion. It was just watching the game." The Harbaugh's admitted they were comforted by a phone call Archie Manning placed to them the day before that game. Manning, father of Eli and Peyton, offered them one piece of advice: "this will be over by Friday." The Harbaugh's said that phone call meant the world to them. One thing is for sure: this will be over by Monday and one Harbaugh, either John or Jim, will be a Super Bowl champion. And two parents will be extraordinarily proud.
Fake tickets: The NFL will hold a news conference today to discuss counterfeiting--which has always been a problem at the Super Bowl. Invariably, there are fans that get a fake ticket. The NFL usually sets aside some tickets just for this reason, to make good on those who were scammed. I remember Super Bowl 28 in Atlanta when the Bills faced the Cowboys. As I was walking into the Georgia Dome, dozens of Buffalo fans accosted the Western New York media outside the stadium. They had purchased Super Bowl packages through a travel agency in Buffalo, a three day getaway, only to find when they arrived at the game, the tickets were no good. Nothing could be done and these poor folks had to watch the game from a nearby bar. It was embarrassing for all and the League does a good job trying to make good on a bad situation.
Last call: Tomorrow marks the final media sessions for the head coaches. Both John and Jim Harbaugh will pose with the Lombardi trophy and go in lockdown mode after tomorrow morning. Check our photo gallery tomorrow for pictures.
Fake tickets: The NFL will hold a news conference today to discuss counterfeiting--which has always been a problem at the Super Bowl. Invariably, there are fans that get a fake ticket. The NFL usually sets aside some tickets just for this reason, to make good on those who were scammed. I remember Super Bowl 28 in Atlanta when the Bills faced the Cowboys. As I was walking into the Georgia Dome, dozens of Buffalo fans accosted the Western New York media outside the stadium. They had purchased Super Bowl packages through a travel agency in Buffalo, a three day getaway, only to find when they arrived at the game, the tickets were no good. Nothing could be done and these poor folks had to watch the game from a nearby bar. It was embarrassing for all and the League does a good job trying to make good on a bad situation.
Last call: Tomorrow marks the final media sessions for the head coaches. Both John and Jim Harbaugh will pose with the Lombardi trophy and go in lockdown mode after tomorrow morning. Check our photo gallery tomorrow for pictures.
