On Sunday, February 2nd,, two National Football League teams will play each other in one of the games that defines American sports tradition: the Super Bowl. Super Bowl Sunday is celebrated by a huge demographic of Americans because the day is not only about football, but also about the food, the commercials, and hanging out with friends. In case you’re like me and aren’t the biggest football buff, I did some research to give you some basics on Super Bowl XLVIII (48) so that you can take part in the excitement of the actual game, in addition to the commercials. What’s really exciting for wahoos this Super Bowl is that both teams’ quarterbacks have Virginia connections! Read on to find out.
WHO ARE THE TEAMS?
The Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks out of Washington state have won 13 of 16 games in their 2013 season. Owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, the Seahawks are part of the West Division of the National Football Conference (NFC). This will be the Seahawks’ second Super Bowl appearance, the first being in Super Bowl XL after the 2005 season. They have also won eight division titles since the team’s first season in 1976.
The Denver Broncos
One of the more successful NFL teams, the Denver, Colorado Broncos have played in six Super Bowls and have won two: in 1997 against the Green Bay Packers and in 1998 against the Atlanta Falcons. Besides this, the “Orange Crush” has won a great number of conference championships and division championships (the Broncos, like the Seahawks, are also members of the NFC’s West Division). The Bronco’s 2013 season record is also 13-3, like the Seahawks’.
WHO ARE THE QUARTERBACKS?
Seattle’s quarterback is Russell Wilson from Richmond, Virginia. Wilson played football and baseball for North Carolina State University before transferring to the University of Wisconsin, where he led the team to a Big Ten title and the 2012 Rose Bowl, along with earning many other awards and recognition for his athleticism. 2013 marked Wilson’s second year with the Seahawks.
Denver has four-time MVP Peyton Manning as its quarterback. Before playing for the Broncos, Manning played for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons. His younger brother Eli Manning is also in the NFL, playing QB for the New York Giants. Manning already has one Super Bowl win under his belt from Super Bowl XLI in 2007 against the Chicago Bears. Manning will deliver the University of Virginia’s valedictory address during the 2014 graduation ceremonies.
COLORS:
The Seahawks’ colors are navy, green, and grey. Wear orange, navy, and white if you want to support the Broncos.
MASCOTS:
Blitz, a large blue bird, is the Seahawks’ mascot. The Broncos have Miles (fittingly, a bronco).
WHERE:
Super Bowl XLVIII will be played in the Metlife stadium in New Jersey.