Superbowl XLVIII

Seahawks win the Superbowl!!!!

I still can't believe Mike and I were there. Mike has a goal of attending every final for all the major sporting events. As the Superbowl is only one game and crazy expensive, I figured that one wouldn't happen and if it did, he would be going solo.

Well as the NFL season went on and the Seahawks kept doing better and better, I said to Mike, "if the Seahawks go to the Superbowl, can we go?" I was sort of joking. First, Seattle teams don't make championships (though I'll never give up on them), second, Superbowl tickets are super expensive, and third, the games are usually played in a random city.  In December, Mike started looking online for tickets. The game was to be played in New Jersey and it was outdoors- the first outdoor Super Bowl in a very long time. If you remember, last year was the "Polar Vortex" and one of the most bitter cold winters in years. Even if Seattle made the big game, did we want to stand outside in freezing temperatures for hours on end?

Anyway, I kinda forgot about it as Christmas came around and then I left for Nepal just after New Year's. I didn't have a lot of connection to the news or sporting world while in Nepal, but early one morning, I received a text from both Jaime and Mike telling me the Seahawks had made the Superbowl! Mike's next text was, "wanna go?" Of course I did!!!! But practical Brea thought, it's too expensive, too cold, it's on a Sunday, and how were we going to drive to and from NJ in a day. Well, Mike started networking and asking around- he'd throw out prices to me and I turned them down. It wasn't worth it to spend that much money. After all his networking, he finally got offered tickets (through his ping pong connection with Rick Carlisle, who of course knows other people in the sports world), Mike presented the deal to me and I thought it was still a bit much. From my end, that's where the story ended (mind you, I was still in Nepal at this time).

Fast forward to January 29. I had been home about 3 days and we were discussing our weekend plans (possibly driving to Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog's Day), when Mike couldn't hold it in any longer. He was acting weird when I brought up what we were doing Saturday, he suddenly got up and left the room, and in a few minutes came back and told me to close my eyes. When I opened them, 2 tickets to the Superbowl were in front of me!!!! I thought it was a joke! Mike assured me it was not a joke and the tickets were real! After our conversations, Mike did some more wheeling and dealing and was able to secure two tickets for some ping pong equipment for the owner of the tickets. The tickets actually belonged to a Denver Bronco player who had given them to his financial advisor, who also happened to be Rick Carlisle's financial advisor and friend. Mike got two tickets, a parking pass, and a place for us to stay in NJ (just a 10 min drive to the stadium)! UNBELIEVABLE!

The story of getting the tickets was pretty incredible, but the experience was even better! We drove to NJ on Saturday afternoon and spent our evening in Times Square on Superbowl Boulevard. We took pictures, got to see the Lombardi Trophy, danced in the streets, and enjoyed the hyped up party atmosphere. We bought our Seahawks t-shirts and headed back to Mike's friends house for the night.

Sunday, we got to the stadium 2-3 hours before the game. The atmosphere was already electric. So much to do and see and simply to soak up the excitement of the day. Each part just got better and better. The culmination of the weekend was of course, the game! From the get go, Seattle dominated, and as a Seahawks fan, it was incredible to watch! The fighter jets and Bruno Mars half time show were cool, but the game was so much better! Our seats were pretty good and we were surrounded by Denver fans, with a few Seattle fans scattered around. Surprisingly, everyone was pretty friendly and well behaved; there was little trash talking, no drunkenness, and overall good report. We sat next to a family that had spent their entire vacation budget on this game-- only to be completely disappointed (Broncos fans). We felt badly for them, but even in their disappointment, they still were friendly and congratulated us.

As a Seahawks fan, I loved every minute of complete domination. It was unbelievable! As Seattle kept marching down the field, I was jumping up and down and cheering my heart out. What a game!!! I loved being part of the 12th man! Go Hawks!!!