What two of the major sports leagues are failing to understand is their game featuring the stars of their leagues is nothing more than an exhibition game. The latest attempt by the NFL at re-inventing their all-star spectacle falls short of what the game is meant to do--and that is show off all of the league's stars.
Major League Baseball began this almost ten years ago after their Mid-Summer Classic ended in a tie with no players available after ten innings. Commissioner Bud Selig decided it was time for the league to take the game seriously and give home field advantage in the world series to the winner of the all-star game.
Now that game has changed. Strategy has changed and all-star game memories have began to dwindle. There were many more lasting images from games that had less meaning than those of today.
The earliest memory that comes to mind is Pete Rose "hustling" around the bases and colliding head first with Ray Fosse at home plate, giving the National League the win. Less serious moments ensued in the 90s with Randy Johnson throwing a pitch high and behind Phillie John Kruk. This was a match-up that many were anticipating and each had a little fun with the encounter. In a game that meant home-field advantage in the World Series, this "funny" moment is less likely to happen.
Aside from staged events such as the return of past all-stars to the field for a presentation, there are fewer in-game all-star game memories. And in what should be a game to exhibit the talents of the game's best has now become one that may have a deciding factor who are the World Champions.
The NFL hasn't placed the same kind of importance on the Pro Bowl, but it is trying to add more relevance to the game. However by moving it to the week prior to the Super Bowl doesn't permit the best in the game to participate. As I watch the Pro Bowl I should expect to see Peyton Manning throw to Dallas Clark or Drew Brees to hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson. Since the game was played prior to the Super Bowl, three of these four athletes watched the from sidelines.
The 2010 game brought the highest tv ratings in ten years. Much of that had to do wtih a later kick-off on Sunday, not Saturday as in previous years. People are still interested in watching, but the same people are hungry to see the game's best as well.
I like the NFL trying something new. Next year the game will be moved back to Hawaii with a date and time to be announced. However it is hard to expect the game to be before the Super Bowl and transporting players, administration and media from the 49th state to the mainland may be next to impossible. But the NFL should score points for experimenting. And if it was up to Bud Selig, the conference who wins the Pro Bowl would also get the ball first in a Super Bowl overtime.
Only without a sponsor for a week, the Orange Bowl committee looks to be close to signing a deal with one of America's favorite candies. Reese's appears to be the newest sponsor of the New Year's Classic in South Florida.
Iowa Football players Ricky Stanzi and Adrian Clayborn, along with head football coach, Kirk Ferentz accept the championship and MVP trophies from the president of the Orange Bowl committee, Phyliss Oeters.
The Scoreboard says it all
The team enters Land Shark Stadium minutes before kick off
Sean McDonough calling the game for ESPN Radio (back to the camera) speaks with the Iowa head coach during pre-game warm-ups.
The Iowa head coach enters Land Shark Stadium prior to the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl
It was the final full day of practice at Barry University. On what would be a Thursday practice for the Hawkeyes, BCS rules allowed members of the media access to the first fifteen minutes of practice. It may have been the coolest day for practice in Florida for Iowa as temperatures were in the 60s with a breeze throughout the afternoon. Following practice the team went for dinner and a movie.
Another sunny day in South Florida, but with temperatures "only" to get into the upper 60s. Practice today will be much like day 1 as the Iowa Football team settles into its Fed Ex Orange Bowl routine.
When it comes to the Miami social scene, this Iowan sees two types of places. One is a place to be seen and the other is not to be seen. Those places on Ocean Avenue along the South Beach district are the chic clubs where a dress code is enforced. Away from the club atmosphere are "dive" bars known for having a drink, watching some sports and eating some greasy food. Beaches Bar & Grill in the basement of the nearby Days Inn is a great example of a "dive" bar.
Hazy skies in the morning to be burned off by South Florida sun in time for the first Iowa Football practice in Miami.
There is little room left on the Iowa Football Equipment semi, and it will all be unloaded at either the Fontainebleau, Barry University or Land Shark Stadium.
Trunk after trunk, box after box sits waiting to be the next thing to be packed. All equipment is necessary for Iowa Football to set up the Jacobson Building offices in the Fontainebleau Hotel located in Miami Beach, Florida. Ten meeting rooms, three offices and one medical facility is housed in the team hotel.
Also everything needed for practice at Barry University finds its place on the back of the semi. Once Iowa Football moves into its practice facility it consumes the entire location. One cannot assume Barry University has the necessary equipment for a Divison I BCS team, so the Iowa Equipment Staff takes everything.
I am re-united with my good friend Buzz, the Yellow Jacket as the Iowa Hawkeyes accepted a bid to play the ACC Champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Orange Bowl. The game will be played Tuesday, January 5th at LandShark Stadium in Miami, Florida. The game will be shown on Fox beginning at 7pm.
