The Superbowl – I love it, it’s like an unofficial holiday with fantastic food, a perfect reason to get together with family and friends, and the same anticipation is built up with teasers and hints just like Christmas morning! This anticipation, however, is not for the teams in a clash of today’s Titans, BUT the commercials and media circus that follows, with the ever curious question of “what is this year’s half-time show going to do?”
First off, let me state that I am sad the Packers didn’t go all the way this year, but it isn’t a matter of what you do all season if you don’t do it when it COUNTS.
Now my questions for you:
First off, who played in the game? Ok, good-Patriots and Giants. The Giants WON!
What were the names of the two Pats players that blew (*choke*) major catches late in the game? I recommend you read this if you care to know their names and the fact they got slammed in the media by Tom Brady’s supermodel wife (respect though, she’s got his back).
The Superbowl is mayhem, beauty, chaos, and unicorns. Unicorns? Yes, I know there a few readers out there that can tell me which commercial that came from without a second thought.
Each year feels that it is becoming less about the game and the players and more about the media juggernaut. The media leading up during the week talked constantly about the Super Bowl, though the teams playing were only mentioned 50% of the time.
People have loved professional football in America for over a hundred years, but from the connection they felt to their modern day ‘gladiators.’ This connection must be fueled by sharing the same heartfelt stories that we see and hear in the Olympics every time they come around.
Outside of Tom Brady, who can tell a story of what a player has struggled and overcome obstacles off the field of play? Crickets…..That is why I am excited to write for the ProPlayerInsiders, the place you can read the real stories about the players you love and some you might be a little mad at. But remember, we all make mistakes.
To finish…that was a HELLUVA game and that’s when I love to watch football most with some of the most god-gifted human beings on the planet playing in the NFL.
Before I go, here’s one of my favorite non-football clips from Sunday. In it Andy Lewis is slacklining during the Super Bowl halftime show. Now he’s someone who knows how to be “CLUTCH” when all eye are watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyr0lS2rhwE
Liam out.
Liam Ortega grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska and with the long winters there, he embraced his time on the ice and snow. At the age of 17, he discovered speed skating and never looked back. He enrolled as a student at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI to train with two-time Olympian Dave Tamburrino.
With the time he spent in the Midwest, he developed a fondness for the game of football that he didn’t have growing up, although really there was no choice in the matter since Milwaukee is sandwiched between the Packers and Da’ Bears. After 4 years in the Midwest, he emerged with a degree in Psychology from Marquette University, a solid Packers fan, and was named to the US National Speedskating team.
After a year on the national team, the sights were set on the 2010 Olympics. Then a training accident on the ice in Salt Lake City, UT left Liam’s life uncertain as he was life-flighted to the University of Utah Hospital and placed in a drug-induced coma on life-support to stabilize the injuries. After a week in ICU, Liam walked out of the hospital by his own power and the long road of recovery began. The recovery from his Traumatic Brain Injury was attacked with the same tenacity and strength that he developed as an athlete and was able to compete at the 2010 Olympic trials less than a year removed from the injury.
In 2011, he came back stronger than ever with victory on the domestic circuit winning the 1500m America’s Cup and top 5 placement at US championships in the 5km. Off the ice, Liam developed DRIVEN to MOVE- A non-profit whose mission is to inspire greatness within Alaskans teaching goal-setting through healthy lifestyles. The primary goal is motivating young people, especially those not inclined to be active, to excellence through goal setting and healthy lifestyles.
Liam conducts elementary and junior high after-school enrichment programs, youth clinics and community race events that create Driven to Move ambassadors. The events range from an annual golf tournament to support Special Olympians to an upcoming series of biking events and running event, all focusing on building up self-esteem and stamina while giving back to community. Plans also include an 8-week, biweekly running camp for 4th-6th graders, reaching them at a critical point of personal development, instilling an Olympic attitude every day rather than every four years.
You can follow Liam on FB and www.twitter.com/liamortega and www.driventomove.org on FB and www.twitter.com/driventomove for updates and news on what’s happening and what’s ahead!
