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The Weight of the Big Game
"Once a year in Philadelphia, you know?" W.C. Fields’ quip might have been about the city’s charm, but it resonated deeply with me on Super Bowl Sunday in New Orleans. The week leading up to the Super Bowl felt as if time itself had slowed to a crawl, despite the whirlwind of activity. As a producer who has been through this 14 times, the enormity of the event can be overwhelming. Tom Brady once confessed that he slept like a baby before his first Super Bowl, a sentiment he quickly revised for the subsequent nine. For me, losing sleep is almost a given. One effective strategy to manage the stress is to focus solely on my responsibilities and tune out the chaos around me. Entering the sprawling television compound, a city-sized operation meticulously set up by our operations team, was like walking through a bustling airport. Sixteen trucks, 20,000 square feet of office space, and hundreds of people, each with a specific role, underscored the scale of the operation. To keep the team energized, FOX ordered 3,000 Po’ Boy sandwiches, ensuring everyone was well-fed and ready for the challenge ahead.
The White House Asylum
Friday was an exhausting day, filled with rehearsing and staging pregame events. Amid the chaos, a moment of unexpected formality occurred when a White House advance team arrived to discuss President Trump’s presence at the game. The meeting focused on camera angles and lighting for his seat, ensuring a perfect visual during the national anthem. The team was courteous and efficient, and the four-second shot of him saluting went off without a hitch. This brief encounter added a layer of political significance to the already monumental event.
Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes: A Meeting of Legends
With the "Brady Rules" loosened by the commissioner, Tom was allowed to attend meetings but not practices leading up to the game. On Wednesday, we were treated to a fascinating 30-minute conversation between Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Both men exuded a normalcy that defied their legendary status, with no pretensions, just a steely-eyed drive and fierce competitiveness. Brady, with his 10 Super Bowl appearances, had walked in Mahomes’ shoes, experiencing the joy of victories and the dread of defeats. As he shared during the broadcast, the losses are indelible. For Mahomes, who faced a 40-22 loss to the Chiefs, the pain would linger. "It hurts. It’s gonna hurt for a while," he told reporters. "But how can you respond from it? How can you get better? How can you not just be satisfied with getting here? That starts with me."
Vic Fangio: The Unsung Hero
One of the standout moments during our meetings with the teams involved an interview with the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio. A Philadelphia native and a football lifer, Fangio carries himself with a world-weariness that makes him endearing. He had never been part of a Super Bowl-winning team, despite his storied 40-year career. During our meeting, he revealed that he sensed "a lot of people around the league were rooting for him." The words came out shyly, without any bravado, and I found myself joining those who were rooting for him. Fangio’s humility and dedication to the game made him a true hero, even in the shadows.
Brady’s Rookie Season: Growth and Reflection
Tom Brady’s rookie season as a broadcaster has been a topic of much discussion, often critiqued with the intensity reserved for a celebrity. However, his commitment to becoming a great broadcaster is unwavering. The improvement he showed throughout the season was palpable, culminating in a strong performance on Super Bowl Sunday. Sometimes, a bad game can be a blessing for announcers, offering a chance to tell stories and show personality. For Brady, it allowed him to draw on his 10 Super Bowl appearances, sharing anecdotes and humor. His reflections on winning and losing added depth to the broadcast. "We lost to the Giants in 2007. That was 17 years ago. We were on the precipice of history. We faced a team that played their hearts out and beat us. And I still haven’t lived it down because you care so deeply," he said. His words resonated deeply, capturing the essence of the game’s emotional impact.
A Farewell to a Legend
While one GOAT finished his rookie season, another completed his last. Don Cornelli, a cameraman who has captured moments from nearly 40 years of NFL games, including over 25 Super Bowls, hung up his 30-pound camera Sunday night. Don’s humility, unwavering commitment, and dedication to his craft make him a role model for everyone in the industry. At the large camera meeting on Thursday, the crew honored him with kind words and many tears. I’ve known Don for 37 years, and he is the embodiment of the salt of the earth. His legacy will live on through the countless iconic images he captured, and his absence will be deeply felt. As the season draws to a close, it is a time to reflect on the hard work and dedication of a team that takes deep pride in what they do. This has been a long and winding road, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of it.
