Originally published February 1, 2015.
Today is game day and the last of the broadcasters covering the Super Bowl from the convention center in Phoenix have packed up their equipment and headed to Glendale or the comfort of their homes to watch the Patriots finally play the Seattle Seahawks.
Boston Herald Radio was among the first to arrive on Radio Row in our debut effort covering the Super Bowl and the weeklong cavalcade of over-the-top events, dramatic press conferences and unforgettable conversations.
And what a week it was.
We got to know Deontay Wilder, the 29-year-old WBC world heavyweight boxing champion, a charismatic force of nature who had us laughing through the entire interview. Herald Radio host John Sarianides asked the champ, “What do you think is the future of the heavyweight division?”
Without missing a beat, the boxer replied, “Deontay Wilder is the future.”
No one knew what to expect from actress and model AnnaLynne McCord. At 5-foot 7-inches, she was dwarfed by the gargantuan NFL’ers walking the floor but her personality roared. She took our hosts and listeners on a wild roller coaster ride, espousing her lifelong love for the New England Patriots while casting aspersions on the Seattle Seahawks.
A common theme among many of our guests was the most wonderful surprise of all — an unwavering love and respect for our troops.
Jeremy Staat played for the Pittsburg Steelers and like his friend, Pat Tilman of the Arizona Cardinals, enlisted. He and Clint Bruce, another former pro-turned Navy SEAL, talked about the helping vets with depression.
Bruce remembered his friend and Winchester native Glen Doherty, who died defending the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. “He’s just a wonderful special guy and I miss him,” he said.
Christian Okoye, NFL great for the Kansas City Chiefs, co-founded Impactahero.org, which provides emotional and financial support for post 9/11 wounded combat vets.
Dave Vobora, former Seattle linebacker, selflessly redirected the entire interview to a young man he brought along, Jacob Schick who was wounded in Iraq.
Greg Reynolds of Dighton, an Army vet and amputee, talked candidly about the allure of suicide after his injury.
There were dozens of examples of goodwill toward our military on Radio Row, but I also witnessed a small act in downtown Phoenix — away from the cameras and microphones.
A group of six enormous men — certainly former NFL players — stopped in their tracks on Jefferson Street when they saw military men and women waiting in line at a food vendor. They showered them with “thank you’s,” and then went back on their way.
Patriotism on display, indeed.
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