DETROIT – It’s estimated that 3,000 media types will inflict themselves on Detroit this week for Super Bowl XL.
Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Half of them had to be crowded into a downtown hotel ballroom Monday to get a crack at a few precious sound bites from six players made available by each team.
The consensus: The Steelers were more in demand, by far. It was a much bigger mess, thanks mostly to one Jerome Bettis.
The plan was as follows: Steelers coach Bill Cowher would be available for about 15 minutes, starting at 3:30 p.m. EST. Following Cowher’s comments, the media herded next door to surround Steelers Alan Faneca, James Farrior, Casey Hampton, Deshea Townsend, Hines Ward and Bettis.
At 4:30 p.m., Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren would speak for 15 minutes, after which the same crowd would swarm next door to harass Seahawk players Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Michael Boulware, Chuck Darby, Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson.
Each player has his own little space against the room’s wall, three on one side, three on the other.
This, just for the same, no-brainer quotes such as, “The (Steelers/Seahawks) are the best team we’ll have played all year and we have to prepare for them if we want to be successful.”
Yet, that didn’t stop the throng from unleashing etiquette befitting Jack the Ripper. Enraged television cameramen pounded their fists on the shoulders and heads of whoever was unfortunate enough to block their view, which, considering that crowds six and seven deep were left to jockey for position around each player, wasn’t an uncommon thing.
As soon as one reporter decided he’d had enough verbal nonsense from Player X, he turned around, only to have his path blocked by eight or nine panicked adults. He was forced either to push himself free, leaving bodies in his wake, or stand there, baffled as to how he was going to throw a few questions at Player Y, 10 feet away.
Or suffocate.
And if he managed to escape, two or three flew in to take his place, causing a more violent collision than either team could muster on Sunday.
The horde anointed Bettis – the Detroit native who probably will retire after Sunday – as their favorite. The circle was eight and nine deep. Six television cameras rested on platforms 6 feet tall, for better viewing.
Personal space? Ha!
The following is a sampling of the vital, thought-provoking questions posed by the media to Detroit’s Favorite Son:
“Jerome, how’s the reception been for you on your return to Detroit?”
“Jerome, what was in your mind today as the plane touched down in Detroit?”
“Jerome, what did you think about your teammates wearing your Notre Dame jersey?”
“Jerome, how did growing up in Detroit shape you?”
“Jerome, do you feel like a goodwill ambassador to the city?”
“Jerome, do you feel like you’re carrying the load because everybody is talking to you?”
“Jerome, is your mom enjoying her moment in the sun?”
“Jerome, is it a distraction to be back here in Detroit?”
“Jerome, what was your neighborhood like and how was it being a kid in Detroit?”
“Jerome, what made you quit bowling to play football?”
No fights were reported, although one reporter was heard saying, “If this happens (today) at Media Day, I’m poppin’ somebody.”
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