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Prior to the kickoff at Super Bowl XLIV, Grammy-winning artists Queen Latifah and Carrie Underwood got the crowd at Sun Life Stadium ready for action with two stirring performances.
Latifah, in a sparkle-filled gray jacket, performed a soft-spoken but heartfelt version of America the Beautiful to the delight of fans.
Moments later, with the color guard closely behind her on a makeshift stage at midfield, Underwood belted out a stunning rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Seconds after finishing the final note, Underwood looked toward the sky with a big smile as four F-15s flew over the stadium before peeling away on full afterburner, rattling the seats at Sun Life Stadium.
At halftime, legendary classic rock band The Who performed a rushed, multi-song set that included hits such as Pinball Wizard, Teenage Wasteland, Who are You and (Won't get) Fooled Again.
Missing from the halftime show this year in Miami were the fans, who are usually rushed onto the field to add atmosphere to the abbreviated concert.
On a full-circle stage that stretched from one 30-yard line to the other, guitarist Pete Townshend ripped off his patented windmill strum in front of a multi-colored laser and fireworks show that continually lit up the crowd from behind the stage.
—— Tim Gardner
Friends in high places:
Their habits drew second looks because no one knew whether they were real or costumes. But Sisters Mary Rose and Mary Andrew were in uniform and on duty for the Saints.
The New Orleans nuns, friends and suite guests of Saints owner Tom Benson, teach in the French Quarter. They had varying reasons for their loyalty but were happy it paid off with a Super Bowl game they could witness.
"I've been praying for this for 43 years," said Sister Mary Andrew, a lifelong fan who didn't give her age. "It's exciting. More than exciting. They've been very good to us and very faith-filled Catholics. We're blessed to be the ones here."
Said Sister Mary Rose, "I just fell in love with New Orleans and more with the Saints because of what they did for the city after Hurricane Katrina. The hope they brought to the city was incredible, and that forever put them in my heart and raised them way high. The franchise got it. They represent the city."
—— Gary Graves
Coming up roses:
Rarely has bathroom duty yielded so many perks.
That's the way Sun Life Stadium restroom attendant Schadrac Jean Claude viewed his job as he dispensed hand soap, towels and greetings in his club-level post. A two-year stadium employee with Haitian parents, he's been in frequent contact with his family since the Jan. 12 earthquake and said they've provided encouragement to him as he tries to do the same for them.
"They're OK, they're very happy for me and they want to be here," Jean Claude said. "People ask if I like (the job), and I tell them I really do. It teaches me how to talk to people and I do all right with tips."
Lest anyone think he has the worst seat in the house, there are two flat-screen TVs for Jean Claude to watch the game.
"I just have to be ready for halftime," said Jean Claude, who was rooting for the Colts. "That's when it becomes a madhouse."
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