How to tell if your Super Bowl ticket is legit
Super Bowl tickets are the Holy Grail for die-hard NFL football fans.
To help eliminate the sale of fake tickets the NFL has incorporated several security devices built into official Super Bowl tickets. Some of the overt security devices include holograms, custom laser cutouts, thermachromic ink and a specially-made gloss varnish. A counterfeit ticket may be missing one or even several of these or other security features.
The NFL also provides you with a secure, official resale marketplace to purchase your Super Bowl tickets, the NFL Ticket Exchange. Buying online from a non-NFL affiliate may be risky since there is no way of knowing if a ticket is real until game time. Even if a ticket looks real, it may be one that has been reported lost or stolen, which means the person holding it will not be granted entry into the stadium.
To help ensure the authenticity of your Super Bowl tickets, here are a few basic buying tips:
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tickets, traffic, ESPN: The ins and outs of surviving Super Bowl week in North Texas
Tickets, traffic, ESPN: The ins and outs of surviving Super Bowl week in North Texas
Lynch: 'Glee Super Bowl ep has firepower'
Lynch: 'Glee Super Bowl ep has firepower'
Jane Lynch has promised that Glee's upcoming post-Super Bowl episode will be full of "firepower".
In an interview with The AP, Lynch, who plays gym teacher Sue Sylvester on the Fox musical comedy, explained that the show's devotees can expect an extravaganza.
"It's got so much firepower," she said. "There is so much going on in the show that is crazy and funny and wild."
The actress teased that her character features prominently: "I have a hissy fit the likes of which no one has seen before, where I try to destroy the locker room and principal's office. I try to shoot one of my cheerleaders from a cannon."
Lynch went on to reveal that the February 6 special is to feature a return appearance from Gwyneth Paltrow and a full-cast rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.
Earlier this week, Lynch's co-star Chris Colfer hinted that his Glee character Kurt may embark on a new romance.
source: digitalspy
Eagles road to Super Bowl just got much tougher
Eagles road to Super Bowl just got much tougher
The Philadelphia Eagles will get their bye week. It’s just going to happen in Week 17.
After Joe Webb and the Vikings took down Philadelphia 24-14 on Tuesday night, the Eagles don’t have anything to play for Sunday. A game that was expected to be a laugher changed so much.
The Eagles are now stuck in the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and the Bears have clinched a first round bye. The Packers need a win against Chicago to set up an enticing Eagles-Packers first-round matchup.
This performance makes you wonder about Philly’s weaknesses and maturity. Michael Vick was hammered all night, just like he was against the Giants. He was sacked six times, had three turnovers, and the Vikings dropped three more possible picks.
The Eagles offensive line has been a disaster all year, and continues to struggle recognizing blitzes. You think Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers will have mercy? How about the Bears defensive line, who has already manhandled Philly?
This loss hardly ends the Eagles season, but it makes the road to the Super Bowl much harder. Vick will now have to survive takings hits in three straight playoff games, with two games likely on the road.
Coach Andy Reid almost has to rest Vick against the Cowboys, and we suspect other key players like DeSean Jackson could sit as well. (Vick said he hurt his quad on the first play of the game.)
They may as well have rested Tuesday night. The crowd never seemed into the game, and the odd atmosphere contributed to a sloppy performance by Philadelphia on both sides of the ball. Vikings quarterback Joe Webb (195 yards passing, 31 rushing yards and a score) outplayed Vick, all but assuring Tom Brady the MVP.
Sometimes championships aren’t won or lost in the biggest games, but in the weeks in between. The Eagles’ title hopes took a major body blow Tuesday night from an opponent no one saw coming.
source: nbcsports.com
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Black Eyed Peas promise no wardrobe malfunctions at 2011 Super Bowl
Black Eyed Peas promise no wardrobe malfunctions at 2011 Super Bowl
The Black Eyed Peas have been tapped as the first contemporary artist to perform as the SuperBowl halftime act since the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” of 2004, with safer living legend acts along the lines of Paul McCartney and The Who having filled the role in the mean time. But while the Peas are taking the Super Bowl honor seriously, that hasn’t kept them from having a sense of humor about it. Speaking with Beatweek today, when asked if he could guarantee there would be no wardrobe malefactions this time around, Black Eyed Peas co-founder apl.de.ap joked “I’ve been working out lately, you know, so I might want to show a little bit of muscle,” before making it clear that he was kidding.
“We learned not to do that from the past performances that we’ve witnessed,” apl said of the now-infamous 2004 controversy centered around the Super Bowl halftime show which featured Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Of what he and his cohorts will.i.am, Fergie, and Taboo have up their sleeves for their own halftime show, apl teased about a possible jet pack before saying “We’ve got something really special but I don’t really want to give it away.”
February’s Super Bowl at Reliant Stadium in Dallas is far from the only stadium the Black Eyed Peas have their sights set on for 2011, as their tour plans include several stadium shows in support of their newly released album The Beginning and their current hit The Time (Dirty Bit).
The Black Eyed Peas are set to appear on the December 9th cover of Beatweek Magazine. Look for a full Peas conversation about the new album, the 2011 tour, their next single, and yes, more about the upcoming Super Bowl appearance.
source: beatweek.comCoors Light Makes the Unthinkable... Thinkable, With Insider Access to Super Bowl XLV
Coors Light Makes the Unthinkable... Thinkable, With Insider Access to Super Bowl XLV
"World's Most Refreshing Beer" Launches Fan-Tastic Promotion; Prizes Include Actual Game-Used Turf and Memorabilia
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - December 15, 2010) - Coors Light is grabbing a piece of the Super Bowl XLV spotlight -- and shining it on the fans. Beginning now and running through Feb. 6, 2011, the official beer sponsor of the NFL and Super Bowl XLV is encouraging legal-drinking-age-consumers to "Snap, Send, Score" for a chance to win unthinkable access to the biggest football game of the year and other great prizes.
Using SnapTag™ technology customized for this Coors Light promotion, any adult with a Smartphone can Snap a photo of the Coors Light SnapTag logo on packaging and other promotional materials and Send it in for a chance to Score a variety of unique prizes. All eligible consumers will be vying for the "Super Bowl Insider" grand prize -- a trip to north Texas with unthinkable access to Super Bowl XLV weekend.
The grand prize awards one winner and three friends roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations in north Texas, tickets to the game, a stadium tour, a picture holding the Lombardi Trophy, and tickets to the Coors Light Super Bowl Party at the "world's largest honky tonk," Billy Bob's Texas, featuring the musical talents of local favorite the Casey Donahew Band, Uncle Kracker and headliner Blake Shelton.
Two first prize winners will also get hooked up with a trip to north Texas, tickets to Super Bowl XLV, access to the Coors Light Super Bowl Party and more. Other fantastic prizes include a football signed by the Super Bowl XLV champions; autographed, game-used items such as end zone pylons, kicking tees and footballs; actual patches of game-used turf; official NFL and Super Bowl gear; flat-screen TVs; and NFLShop.com gift cards.
"For Coors Light, the unthinkable is never out of the question, so the brand is excited to give fans across the country a chance to win prizes they would never expect, in celebration of Super Bowl XLV," said Rick Gomez, vice president of marketing for the Coors Family of Brands. "As the official beer of the NFL and the Super Bowl, we're bringing fans closer to the game than they ever imagined possible by taking insider access to a whole new level."
Coors Light is partnering with Razorfish, the brand's digital agency, and SpyderLynk to produce the SnapTag promotion. This Coors Light campaign takes advantage of the SnapTag technology to easily customize regional extensions to a national promotion; there are eleven regional extensions for this Super Bowl promotion. Promotional SnapTags can be found on specially marked packaging of Coors Light and Coors Banquet as well as on billboards, online and wherever Coors Light is sold.
For more information on the promotion, prizing and rules visit CoorsLight.com/SuperBowl.
Audi, Mercedes-Benz turn to social media for Super Bowl promotions
Audi, Mercedes-Benz turn to social media for Super Bowl promotions
With the last month of the regular football season underway, NFL teams are quickly preparing for the long journey to the Super Bowl. It seems many companies are doing the same with their social media campaigns, with several brands unveiling new initiatives for the big sporting event.
USA Today reports that both Audi and Mercedes-Benz plan to launch extensive social media initiatives for the Super Bowl. The two European automakers will reward users who encourage others to tweet or otherwise promote their respective brands during the Super Bowl.
The goal is to go beyond reaching consumers through the high-cost 30-second SuperBowl spots, but brands also need to be unique. "Most efforts won't be able to stand out amidst the flood of 'Let's Do a Facebook Contest About the Super Bowl' marketing lemmings," social media consultant Jay Baer explained to the source.
For many brands, social media will be a much larger part of their 2011 digital marketing initiatives. According to a recent report from eMarketer, companies are expected to spend upwards of $2.1 billion on social media marketing efforts next year.
source: ricg.com
With the last month of the regular football season underway, NFL teams are quickly preparing for the long journey to the Super Bowl. It seems many companies are doing the same with their social media campaigns, with several brands unveiling new initiatives for the big sporting event.
USA Today reports that both Audi and Mercedes-Benz plan to launch extensive social media initiatives for the Super Bowl. The two European automakers will reward users who encourage others to tweet or otherwise promote their respective brands during the Super Bowl.
The goal is to go beyond reaching consumers through the high-cost 30-second SuperBowl spots, but brands also need to be unique. "Most efforts won't be able to stand out amidst the flood of 'Let's Do a Facebook Contest About the Super Bowl' marketing lemmings," social media consultant Jay Baer explained to the source.
For many brands, social media will be a much larger part of their 2011 digital marketing initiatives. According to a recent report from eMarketer, companies are expected to spend upwards of $2.1 billion on social media marketing efforts next year.
source: ricg.com
Motorola Dual-Core Android Tablet Invited to Verizon’s Super Bowl Party?
Motorola Dual-Core Android Tablet Invited to Verizon’s Super Bowl Party?
Recent rumors have it that Motorola’s dual-core Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet will be making a big splash for the Superbowl. Previously, Verizon had promised LTE-capable consumer devices in the first quarter, making the Superbowl launch date plausible. Moreover, with the carrier rolling out its LTE network to the 38 metropolitan areas–mostly NFL cities, a Superbowl debut would tie in nicely.
Motorola’s tablet was recently shown off at All Things Digital’s D: Dive Into Mobile event, and was spotted later in clearer pictures. The device is rumored to be available in both 7- and 10-inch form factors, with LTE support, and also to be hardware platform to debut Google’s tablet-optimized Android 3.0 Honeycomb platform. It was previously codenamed Everest and Stingray, though the final launch name is unknown; MOTO PAD is a possibility.
source: gottabemobile.com
AFC South title within reach for Garrard and the Jaguars
AFC South title within reach for Garrard and the Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback David Garrard was seemingly another bad game away from getting benched, quite possibly for good, in Jacksonville.
Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai
Coach Jack Del Rio even said publicly that he was sticking with Garrard "as long as he's our best option."
Nearly three months later, Garrard is one touchdown pass from breaking Mark Brunell's franchise record and has a chance to lead the Jaguars (8-5) to their first AFC South title.
What's the difference?
"If I knew that, I would definitely bottle that up and tell nobody," Garrard said.
Although running back Maurice Jones-Drew has received much of the credit for Jacksonville's success this season -- he has six consecutive 100-yard games heading into Sunday's critical game at Indianapolis -- Garrard has been an equally important cog in the team's rise to the top of the division.
Garrard has thrown 19 touchdown passes and just five interceptions in Jacksonville's eight wins and one TD pass and seven picks in the five losses.
He's even better when he's asked to do less. The Jaguars are 6-0 when Garrard has thrown 22 or fewer passes this season, not including a lopsided loss against Tennessee in October when he was knocked out of the game early with a concussion.
"He can't play well by himself," Del Rio said. "It's a team game, the ultimate team game, and David would be the first to tell you that it's a combination of the line doing a good job up front giving him time and the receivers doing a good job getting open down the field and catching the ball. There are a lot of guys doing good things around him."
It starts with Jones-Drew and the running game, which has accounted for more than 200 yards rushing in each of the last three games. That kind of ground game slows down defensive ends, freezes linebackers and creates extra space for receivers and tight ends.
It also takes pressure off Garrard, who has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,141 yards and a career-high 20 TDs. He also has run for 232 yards and four scores.
"Dave has been exceptional," receiver Mike Thomas said. "The guy bounced back from adversity. Dave has always showed that he's a guy that's going to persevere through whatever challenges come his way. This time, he's been on the better half of it.
"He's been playing great. You can look at him and see his comfort level and his belief in his protection, and he's letting the ball fly around. When he has time, Dave is very accurate and a very good quarterback. He's our guy, and we're riding him. We need him to string us along like he's been doing."
With Garrard playing well, the Jaguars have won five of their last six games. Now they're headed into arguably the most important regular-season game in franchise history. With a win Sunday over the Colts (7-6), the Jaguars will wrap up the AFC South and secure a playoff spot for just the third time in the last 10 years.
"This is a big opportunity for the franchise," guard Uche Nwaneri said. "It's been a long time since we had a game against the Colts where it's really going to pretty much decide everything for the division. We're not going to make this something that takes us out of our rhythm, but we understand what's on the line, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
So is Garrard, who struggled mightily in consecutive 25-point losses to San Diego and Philadelphia back in September. He was benched late against the Chargers and might have been pulled for good against the Eagles, but backup Luke McCown tore a knee ligament the previous week, leaving Del Rio with few options.
Nonetheless, the Jaguars were so frustrated with Garrard's performance that they claimed former first-round draft pick Trent Edwards off waivers from Buffalo with the belief that he could end up the starter.
He never got the chance.
Garrard didn't let it happen, putting up five of the top eight passing performances of his nine-year career. He responded exactly as Del Rio wanted -- and even sent a resounding message to anyone who questioned whether he was the right fit for the Jaguars.
"I don't try to worry about answering critics," Garrard said. "The moment you're trying to answer somebody else or please other people, that's when you're setting yourself up. I've said it before: The same people that smile at your face are the same ones that are ready to jab you in the back. The more you win, the more success you have, the more people will come around and say he's a pretty good player or they're a pretty good team. It all comes down to winning and performing."
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
source: nfl.com
Will 'Skins stick with McNabb? Coy coach Shanahan won't say
Will 'Skins stick with McNabb? Coy coach Shanahan won't say
ASHBURN, Va. -- Never mind the talk about whether or not Donovan McNabb will be the Washington Redskins' quarterback next season. Coach Mike Shanahan won't even say if McNabb will be his quarterback Sunday.
"We're not committing to tell you who the starters are at any position," Shanahan said Wednesday, explaining how he hopes to keep the Dallas Cowboys guessing about a possible switch to Rex Grossman. "They've got to get ready for a couple of players. That's good for us."
It's important to note that Shanahan was in a playful mood as he dodged those quarterback questions, and that it's hard to find anyone who really believes there's a chance Grossman will supplant a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the latest edition of the NFC East rivalry.
"Donovan McNabb is one of the marquee players in this league and can beat you in so many different ways," Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett said. "We're certainly preparing for him. And if he happens not to be the quarterback, we'll have to make those adjustments."
And, for the record, if McNabb weren't starting, he made no bones about the fact that Shanahan should have told him by now.
"I would have hoped," McNabb said. "That's professionalism. Communication."
Yet the very fact that McNabb's status is such a topic demonstrates his uncertain status as he winds down his first season in Washington. With the Redskins (5-8) eliminated from the playoff race, Shanahan has made it clear he intends to use the final three games to determine who should be on the roster next year. Many players also have stated they're playing for jobs, even if that job might be with another team in 2011.
McNabb would seem to fit into that category. He is 34 and is having his worst season since he was a rookie in 1999. He has thrown a career-high 15 interceptions and ranks 25th in the NFL with a 77.1 rating. He has led some good drives, but he has been inconsistent and bounced far too many passes in front of open receivers. When the Redskins gave him a contract extension last month, it came with a clause that allows the team to cut him at the end of the season with no further financial obligation.
McNabb, however, isn't a fan of the play-for-job motivational tactic.
"I look at these three games to get better," McNabb said. "I think when you have a mindset to go out and to try to impress and to do a little bit more than what you're capable of doing, it takes away from being in the framework of the schemes and what we're planning on doing. I think a lot of times you focus too hard on different things, and it takes you away from things that are just easy to you. I think in this situation, obviously with three more games left, we want to do whatever it takes to win and we can't control anything else after that."
Shanahan showed he's not afraid to make a daring, counterintuitive quarterback move when he benched McNabb for Grossman in the final two minutes with the game on the line in a loss at Detroit in October. McNabb wasn't happy, Shanahan couldn't come up with a clear explanation for the decision, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and McNabb were at odds over whether or not the quarterback had been tipped off in advance about the possible switch.
McNabb followed up with a clear-the-air meeting with the Shanahans. Since then, according to McNabb, "the communication got a lot better."
"I think everyone wanted to know if it was going to get better," McNabb said. "And it did."
Mike Shanahan, however, said he hasn't changed the way he deals with his quarterback. He chalked up McNabb's perception of better communication as the "growth as you get to know people."
"Like any relationship, it does take time," Mike Shanahan said.
The Redskins traded two draft picks to the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire McNabb, and the team has many other deficiencies that will need more desperate attention in the offseason, so it would seem unlikely that the quarterback wouldn't be brought back for a second go-round. Shanahan reiterated Wednesday that it can take two to three years to master a new offensive scheme, and McNabb often has cited how the record improved from 5-11 in his first year with Eagles to 11-5 in his second year.
Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai
"Things can change here, and it will change here," McNabb said. "There were a lot of things in the beginning of the season that myself as well as maybe Kyle or whatever or the players, we weren't on the same page. And now we are. ... There's definitely been big steps."
There also have been nagging questions over McNabb's health. His sore hamstrings were one reason cited by the coaches for the Detroit benching. Around that same time, McNabb himself said the extra offseason work he undertook to learn the new offense was taking a physical toll over the long season.
McNabb now claims to be fully healthy, although he continues to be listed on the weekly injury report with a hamstring issue. Also, the quarterback who has made a name for himself by making plays with his legs has stopped scrambling: He has just six carries for 16 yards over the last five games.
"Quarterbacks never tell you the truth," Mike Shanahan said. "He hasn't scrambled a lot. I think it's probably hurting him a little bit more than he's indicating. Quarterbacks I've been around, they'll never admit to being hurt, so I can't tell you that for sure."
Notes: Mike Shanahan said punter-holder Hunter Smith was cut because of poor punting, not because of the mishandled extra point snap in Sunday's one-point loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shanahan said just two of Smith's last 20 punts had the hang time the team wanted. Smith, who was released Tuesday and replaced with Sam Paulescu, ranks 31st in the NFL in net average. "It had nothing to do with the hold," Shanahan said. "I admired the way he stepped up and blamed it on himself." ... Shanahan doesn't like practicing on frozen grass fields, so he's holding practice on the team's rarely used artificial turf field this week because of the cold weather.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
source: nfl.com
ASHBURN, Va. -- Never mind the talk about whether or not Donovan McNabb will be the Washington Redskins' quarterback next season. Coach Mike Shanahan won't even say if McNabb will be his quarterback Sunday.
"We're not committing to tell you who the starters are at any position," Shanahan said Wednesday, explaining how he hopes to keep the Dallas Cowboys guessing about a possible switch to Rex Grossman. "They've got to get ready for a couple of players. That's good for us."
It's important to note that Shanahan was in a playful mood as he dodged those quarterback questions, and that it's hard to find anyone who really believes there's a chance Grossman will supplant a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the latest edition of the NFC East rivalry.
"Donovan McNabb is one of the marquee players in this league and can beat you in so many different ways," Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett said. "We're certainly preparing for him. And if he happens not to be the quarterback, we'll have to make those adjustments."
And, for the record, if McNabb weren't starting, he made no bones about the fact that Shanahan should have told him by now.
"I would have hoped," McNabb said. "That's professionalism. Communication."
Yet the very fact that McNabb's status is such a topic demonstrates his uncertain status as he winds down his first season in Washington. With the Redskins (5-8) eliminated from the playoff race, Shanahan has made it clear he intends to use the final three games to determine who should be on the roster next year. Many players also have stated they're playing for jobs, even if that job might be with another team in 2011.
McNabb would seem to fit into that category. He is 34 and is having his worst season since he was a rookie in 1999. He has thrown a career-high 15 interceptions and ranks 25th in the NFL with a 77.1 rating. He has led some good drives, but he has been inconsistent and bounced far too many passes in front of open receivers. When the Redskins gave him a contract extension last month, it came with a clause that allows the team to cut him at the end of the season with no further financial obligation.
McNabb, however, isn't a fan of the play-for-job motivational tactic.
"I look at these three games to get better," McNabb said. "I think when you have a mindset to go out and to try to impress and to do a little bit more than what you're capable of doing, it takes away from being in the framework of the schemes and what we're planning on doing. I think a lot of times you focus too hard on different things, and it takes you away from things that are just easy to you. I think in this situation, obviously with three more games left, we want to do whatever it takes to win and we can't control anything else after that."
Shanahan showed he's not afraid to make a daring, counterintuitive quarterback move when he benched McNabb for Grossman in the final two minutes with the game on the line in a loss at Detroit in October. McNabb wasn't happy, Shanahan couldn't come up with a clear explanation for the decision, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and McNabb were at odds over whether or not the quarterback had been tipped off in advance about the possible switch.
McNabb followed up with a clear-the-air meeting with the Shanahans. Since then, according to McNabb, "the communication got a lot better."
"I think everyone wanted to know if it was going to get better," McNabb said. "And it did."
Mike Shanahan, however, said he hasn't changed the way he deals with his quarterback. He chalked up McNabb's perception of better communication as the "growth as you get to know people."
"Like any relationship, it does take time," Mike Shanahan said.
The Redskins traded two draft picks to the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire McNabb, and the team has many other deficiencies that will need more desperate attention in the offseason, so it would seem unlikely that the quarterback wouldn't be brought back for a second go-round. Shanahan reiterated Wednesday that it can take two to three years to master a new offensive scheme, and McNabb often has cited how the record improved from 5-11 in his first year with Eagles to 11-5 in his second year.
Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai
"Things can change here, and it will change here," McNabb said. "There were a lot of things in the beginning of the season that myself as well as maybe Kyle or whatever or the players, we weren't on the same page. And now we are. ... There's definitely been big steps."
There also have been nagging questions over McNabb's health. His sore hamstrings were one reason cited by the coaches for the Detroit benching. Around that same time, McNabb himself said the extra offseason work he undertook to learn the new offense was taking a physical toll over the long season.
McNabb now claims to be fully healthy, although he continues to be listed on the weekly injury report with a hamstring issue. Also, the quarterback who has made a name for himself by making plays with his legs has stopped scrambling: He has just six carries for 16 yards over the last five games.
"Quarterbacks never tell you the truth," Mike Shanahan said. "He hasn't scrambled a lot. I think it's probably hurting him a little bit more than he's indicating. Quarterbacks I've been around, they'll never admit to being hurt, so I can't tell you that for sure."
Notes: Mike Shanahan said punter-holder Hunter Smith was cut because of poor punting, not because of the mishandled extra point snap in Sunday's one-point loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shanahan said just two of Smith's last 20 punts had the hang time the team wanted. Smith, who was released Tuesday and replaced with Sam Paulescu, ranks 31st in the NFL in net average. "It had nothing to do with the hold," Shanahan said. "I admired the way he stepped up and blamed it on himself." ... Shanahan doesn't like practicing on frozen grass fields, so he's holding practice on the team's rarely used artificial turf field this week because of the cold weather.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
source: nfl.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)