XLVI

Out of Towners Give Indy High Super Bowl Marks

By Mike Corbin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Thousands of football fans crowded downtown Indianapolis for Super Bowl 46 without actual tickets to the game.

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They were among those who say they came to get the outside Super Bowl experience. Many says attractions like the Zipline and NFL Experience were perhaps not as good as seeing the actual game, but close.

Scott Harbach and daughter Megan came from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Harbach says they didn't see the game, but coming to Indy was the closest they would get to the Patriots. Kent Defosset and wife Dixie came from St. Louis. They say they couldn't turn down a chance to stay with friends. Both give the city of Indianapolis high marks for its hosting duties.

Harbach among others say they believe Indianapolis has outperformed New Orleans in terms of order, safety and friendliness when it comes to hosting the big event.

Airport Expects Heavy Volume Monday

By Stan Lehr — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:38:00 GMT

Indianapolis International Airport expects heavy volume today with football fans heading home to New York and Boston.

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The numbers are expected to exceed the number of arrivals on the two peak days, Thursday and Friday. The count was 15,000 passengers oth days.

"People tend to come in a little more gradually, but departing they tend to wanta get out of town as soon as the game's over," said airport spokesman Carlo Bertolini. He suggests travelers get to the airport well in advance of their flights.

"We're recommending three hours prior to your scheduled flight departure," said Bertolini. "And it's always a great idea to check with the airline online for any last minute schedule changes before you head out to the airport."

In spite of the heavy load, Bertolini says passengers have been passing through the terminals in an orderly fashion. He credits a modern design created with post 9/11 security in mind.

Players With Indiana Ties Shine in Super Bowl XLVI

By Reed Parker — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:38:00 GMT

Plenty of participants in Super Bowl 46 have Indiana ties.

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Notre Dame graduate Justin Tuck finished the game with three tackles, 2 sacks and hit Tom Brady three other times. Giants Punter Steve Weatherford is from Terre Haute and he had 4 punts for 163 yards.

For the Patriots, former IU player BenJarvus Green-Ellis carried the ball 10 times for 44 yards and caught 2 balls for 15 yards. Wide Receiver Deion Branch caught three Tom Brady passes for 45 yards. Purdue graduate Rob Ninkovich had 4 tackles for the Patriots, a half-sack and hit Eli Manning twice.

Other players with Indiana ties not showing up in the box score, were the Patriots Matt Light and Niko Koutivides, who both attended Purdue. Other Giants players inlcude Sergio Brown of Purdue.

Eli Manning Earns 2nd Super Bowl MVP Award

By Reed Parker — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:37:00 GMT

Eli Manning at the post-game press conference
(WIBC.com photo: Reed Parker)

The New York Giants took home their second Super Bowl win in 4 years by defeating the Patriots once again. Eli Manning was named the MVP, as he was in Super Bowl 42.

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Manning says it was a hardfought game and very tough to score touchdowns, he says it took "big time plays by a number of guys" to pull out the win.

Manning was asked after the game what the win means to his legacy and he replied "I'm just excited to win a championship......this isn't about one person, it's about a team coming together to get this win."

Manning finished the game 30 of 40 for 296 yards and one touchdown.

Giants Beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI

By Alex Brown — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:36:00 GMT

Fans watch on during the post-game celebration after the Giants win Super Bowl XLVI. (WIBC.com photo: Ray Steele)

The New York Giants are once again Super Bowl champions after defeating the New York Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

Giants Quarterback Eli Manning was named Super Bowl MVP. After the game, Manning said he was proud of his team.

"Offensively we moved the ball well but it was tough to get into the end zone, tough to score touchdowns, you know, but it's just great toughness, great faith by our guys just believing and some big time plays by a number of guys," Manning said.

It's the second Super Bowl championship in four years for the Giants, who also defeated the Patriots in 2008. Head Coach Tom Coughlin was asked after the game about having the same number of championships as his mentor Bill Parcells.

"I'm not about comparisons or anything of that nature. I'm just very thankful, very grateful for the opportunity that I've had as the head coach of the New York Giants, the wonderful players I've had to work with," Coughlin said.

Giants co-owner John Mara dedicated the win to all of the Giants' fans.

Rolling Stone Party Brings Out Celebs, Sports Stars

By Alex Brown — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:03:00 GMT

Celebrities and sports stars hit the red carpet Saturday night for the Rolling Stone Bacardi Bash.

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The hit party, held at the new entertainment venue The Crane Bay, brought a slew of celebrities such as actors Joe Manganiello, Ana Faris and "Twilight" star Nikki Reed as well as sports stars like Aaron Rodgers and Carl Banks. Kevin Hearn and Tyler Stewart of the band Barenaked Ladies talked about what it's like to perform in front of massive crowds like we've seen in downtown Indianapolis.

"It's bigger than some small towns. You know, it's amazing to think of it that way. The zip line is blowing my mind. I really wanted to do that. I think maybe we need to take a zip line on tour with us next time, Kev. Barenaked Ladies featuring Zip Line I think would be a pretty exciting thing," the pair said.

LMFAO, Gym Class Heroes, Lupe Fiasco and Cobra Starship provided the entertainment of the event, which also celebrated the 150th anniversary of Bacardi. Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy said he's not much of a sports fan but he does have a personal reason to cheer for one Super Bowl team.

"I have to go with the Patriots because a good friend of mine, Rich Forbes, who passed away a few years back was a huge Patriots fan and I actually tattooed his one and only tattoo which was a Patriots logo. So when he gave the Patriots salute, you could see it. I got to go with the Patriots for him," McCoy said.

As for who the other celebs were picking to win the big game? The predictions were just about even between the Giants and Patriots.

Indy Hosts Super Bowl Eve Beach Party

By Eric Berman — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:06:00 GMT

Katy Perry
(WIBC.com photo: Eric Berman)

Victory Field played host to a Super Bowl Eve beach party.

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Katy Perry headlined as partygoers packed the same heated tent used for a celebrity flag-football game earlier in the day.

Actors David Arquette and Neil Patrick Harris changed out of their jerseys from the game to walk the red carpet -- actually blue -- at night. Also putting in appearances: musician Stephen Stills, designer Kevin Cole, "30 Rock"'s Jane Krakowski, and punt returners DeSean Jackson of the Eagles and Randall Cobb of the Packers.

Peyton Manning, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and DirecTV sponsored the bash.

Peyton Talk Doesn't Subside for First NFL Honors Show

By Ray Steele — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:09:00 GMT

The NFL went Oscars for the first time, with an awards show the night before the Super Bowl. But since it was in Indianapolis, the topic of conversation was, of course, the future of Peyton Manning.

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Archie Manning told WIBC's Ray Steele from the NFL Honors red carpet Peyton didn't want this week to be about him.

"It's been a great week for Indianapolis, and I know that's what Peyton was primarily concerned about. Indy's responded with their wonderful hospitality and a jillion volunteers, and they've put on a good Super Bowl," Manning said.

Peyton's father also says the future is still up in the air, including whether the intense, day-to-day speculation will continue through March 8, when the Colts either have to pay Peyton a $28 million roster bonus or release him.

"I just don't know," Archie Manning said. "Peyton will handle it. He'll keep working. He's working. He wants to play, and I keep telling him it'll all work out, and it will."

If other players were thinking about Peyton, they weren't saying.

"Peyton Manning's obviously a very good player, one of the best that's ever played the game," said Ryan Kerrigan of the Washington Redskins, one of the teams reported to be interested in Manning. "Obviously that's exciting, but I'm not concerned about it right now."

The Colts' Dwight Freeney said this week should be about Indy because the city has been phenomenal.

"This is something special, something out here that we're not used to in the Midwest. This is kind of like an LA or New York thing, but we have now brought all those places here. Everyone from all over the world is here. We are putting on an amazing event," Freeney said.

Oh by the way, there was an awards show, the first NFL Honors, held at the Murat Theatre and hosted by Alec Baldwin. Some of the league's top awards were given out, including Offensive Rookie of the Year to Panthers' quarterback Cam Newton, who said he didn't listen to those who said he wouldn't succeed in the NFL.

"It's not at the end of the road where things are going to stop. But, to some degree they gave me the edge to keep me going, to have that in the back of mind as I was working out and I was preparing," Newton said.

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year after breaking Dan Marino's single-season record for passing yards. The Purdue alum said he appreciates honors like this now more than he would have a few years ago.

"I feel like I'm a young man, but I'm eleven years in this league and 33 years old. I think the older you get, the more you appreciate the opportunities and the moments," Brees said.

Brees, however, would not take home the night's top honor - the AP's Most Valuable Player was another quarterback; Aaron Rodgers of the Packers. The award was presented by none other than Peyton Manning, and Rodgers told Manning he looked forward to seeing him back on the field next season.

Taste of the NFL Comes To Indy

By Mike Corbin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:11:00 GMT

One of the many samples at the Taste of the NFL. (WIBC.com photo: Mike Corbin)

Thousands of Hoosiers, football fans and "foodies" turned out this weekend for the "21st Annual Taste of the NFL."

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The event brings great chefs, restaurants, wineries, athletes and food lovers together to celebrate fine cuisine for a great cause. This year marks the first ever year that the event was held in Gleaners Food Bank. Organizers say it's also the first time the event has been held in a food bank period. Fine establishments turned out to present their best dishes for about three-thousand Hoosiers and football fans who turned out.

Gleaners Food Bank President Cindy Hubert says Gleaners had been preparing for the event for nine months. Hubert says Gleaners gets about thirty percent of the net proceeds which will total about $180,000. Restaurants like Chicago-based Naha say the event is a great way to share their cuisine while also supporting a great cause.

From One Anthem Idol to Another: Expect Butterflies, But Don't Panic

By Eric Berman — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:13:00 GMT

Jordin Sparks
(WIBC.com photo: Eric Berman)

Kelly Clarkson will be the fourth "American Idol" contestant in five years to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. One of her predecessors predicts she'll hit it out of the park

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Jordin Sparks won "Idol" five years after Clarkson, but was four years ahead of her in reaching the Super Bowl. She says for her, the combination of the huge crowd and the significance of the song itself meant lots of butterflies.

But Sparks calls Clarkson "amazing," and says having the Indianapolis Children's Choir as backup should add "a humongous, amazing effect to it."

The anthem's been a trap for many singers, including last year's Super Bowl, when Christina Aguilera flubbed the lyrics. Even if you remember the words, the song's octave-and-a-half range is a challenge. Sparks says she tries not to overprepare -- when she sings it, she says she runs it once in the shower when she gets up.

The Giants may consider Sparks' presence good luck. Her father Phillippi played cornerback for them for eight years -- and the game she sang at was the Gaints' upset of the unbeaten Patriots.