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by Randy OoneyMy Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney
Sooper
Make no mistake, I have been a Vikings fan since 1961. I caddied for Max Winter at Oak Ridge CC on occasion, and was able to pass the time of day with him occasionally when he went for his morning walk. But I also have a place in my heart for the Green Bay Packers. I have many friends in Green Bay, they have only one major sports team there, and they love them. As a pizza delivery guy in 1966 and 1967, I delivered pizzas to the Hopkins House once each year to Paul Hornung, Ray Nitschke, and Max McGee when they came to play our Vikings at Met Stadium. They were great tippers. So given a choice between the Steelers and the Packers, I was happy with the outcome.
The extravagance of the Super Bowl is unmatched. This year in Texas, the price of a secondary market ticket was $5000.00. A parking spot near the stadium was $1000.00 but if you didn’t mind walking a mile or so, you could find a spot for a mere $55.00. A minute’s worth of advertising on TV cost the sponsor around 3 million dollars. The commercials are always over the top on Super Bowl Sunday. I enjoyed the Chevy Cruze ECO touting 42 miles per gallon, which became 42 wild Italians at the old folks home. Being Polish and Norwegian, I wasn’t offended. The Kaleidoscope ad by Hyundai Elantra was eye candy. Budweiser, Pepsi, and Doritos, your ads didn’t do it for me, but I do thank you for your multi million dollar contribution to bring the game to my TV. I very much enjoyed the nostalgic ad from the NFL saluting the fans. Betty White was back as a Golden Girl, as well as Seinfeld, Kramer, The Fonz and Richie Cunningham, who was also in attendance at the game, along with AROD and his main squeeze, Cameron Diaz.
As a Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones follower, the Black eyed Peas could just as well have been the Birds eye peas and the halftime show would have still been spectacular. Who would have thought of a designer dressing up five hundred dancers in outfits that light up in three different colors during the show. Special effects gets an A plus from me.
So as the 10 billion dollar plus event is put to rest for another year, and the E*Trade baby helps me with my miniscule portfolio, it’s time to get back to the real world. My traveling league and tournaments bring me to many bowling centers each year. One of them even has the “Super” adjective in its name. I would just like to thank the proprietors for providing me with a no charge parking spot, free admission, and the occasional beverage or concession that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. And congratulations to the Packers and my Wisconsin friends. The Vikings turn will come, we just don’t know when.
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