FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Video cameras and cowboy hats were in style as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers arrived Monday at the Super Bowl.
With dozens of fans chanting “Go Pack Go” as the players walked off team buses, the Packers witnessed Super Bowl frenzy for the first time in 13 years. Many of the players carried video cameras or aimed their cell phones at the crowd to take pictures before heading to news conferences.
A few of them wore cowboy hats, but none went as far as Steelers veteran receiver Hines Ward. He took the “True Grit” route, decked out in black cowboy hat, black shirt, belt buckle and jeans.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger held his mobile phone high, taking photos of the six-deep pack of reporters at his podium.
“Just taking it in stride, enjoying this opportunity regardless of what comes or how it comes,” Roethlisberger said. “Take it all in.”
Taking it all in were the big guys who block for him. They paid tribute to tackle Flozell Adams, who spent a dozen seasons as a Dallas Cowboy before joining this Pittsburgh team, by wearing his No. 76 Michigan State shirt as they deplaned.
“It’s special to bring back the throwbacks, for all the guys to wear them,” Adams said. “They’re all still walking around with them on. ... I’m grateful for it.”
There were plenty of fans in black and gold outside the Steelers’ hotel, some carrying the obligatory Terrible Towels. But they were far outnumbered at the Packers’ hotel in Irving a few hours later when the NFC champions pulled in.
Maybe that has something to do with Pittsburgh making its third Super Bowl appearance in six years. Not that the players are blase about it.
“It’s always exciting for the opportunity to close up the season by playing in the Super Bowl,” Roethlisberger said. “I don’t think you ever get tired of this, so take as much video and pictures as you can.
Bickering about team photo becomes afterthought
IRVING, Tex. (AP) — Even before they practice in North Texas, the Green Bay Packers have claimed a small victory: They appear to have gone an entire day without getting caught up in a Twitter-driven mini-controversy.
After earning a spot in the Super Bowl, the Packers spent much of last week bickering about — of all things — the timing of their team photo.
When the Packers arrived Monday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers insisted the controversy was “resolved” and not an issue.
Two players on injured reserve, linebacker Nick Barnett and tight end Jermichael Finley, posted complaints on their Twitter accounts early last week when it appeared that the team photo would be taken before injured players arrive in the Dallas area. The team eventually scheduled the photo to accommodate injured players, but the controversy continued through the weekend.
