super bowls in tampa

We think you are probably aware that Super Bowl XLIII will be played in Tampa tomorrow, but here’s a quick rundown of the previous Super Bowls played in Tampa.

Super Bowl XVIII

Super Bowl XVIII

On January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium (aka The Big Sombrero), the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins, 38–9.

Pregame festivities featured the University of Florida Fightin’ Gator Band and the Florida State University Marching Chiefs. Singer Barry Manilow performed the national anthem.  The halftime show was a “Salute to Superstars of Silver Screen” featuring the University of Florida and Florida State University Bands.  Apple’s famous “1984″ television commercial ran during a timeout in the third quarter, and some say that changed how the Super Bowl would be used as a media advertising platform.  Voice-over work for the highlight package to Super Bowl XVIII was John Facenda’s final project for NFL Films. Facenda died a little more than eight months after the game.

As a teenager, I was lucky enough to actually get in the stadium for that game, walking among the seats attempting to sell SuperPretzels.

Super Bowl XXV

Super Bowl XXV

On January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium the New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20–19, the smallest margin of victory in Super Bowl history.

Super Bowl XXV was played under much patriotic fervor, due to the Gulf War. The proceedings included a rousing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Whitney Houston, which was somewhat marred days after when it was reported that she was lip-syncing. The halftime show was titled “A Small World Salute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl.” It was produced by Disney and featured over 3,500 local children from different ethnic backgrounds and a performance by boy band New Kids on the Block, with special guest Warren Moon.

I was dating a girl from Buffalo at the time, and for years she caught hell for kicker Scott Norwood missing a game-winning field goal in the final minute (not to mention Buffalo’s 0-4 record in Super Bowls).

Super Bowl XXXV

Super Bowl XXXV

On January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34–7, behind the great passing attack of ex-Buc Trent Dilfer.

Play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel became the first African-American announcer to call a major sports championship.  The desk reporting for CBS was done aboard the famous Buccaneer Cove pirate ship at the endzone of Raymond James Stadium.  Before the game, a pregame show titled “Life’s Super in Central Florida” was held, featuring Sting, Styx, and PYT.  To honor the 225th anniversary of the birth of the United States, singer Ray Charles performed “America the Beautiful,” and the Backstreet Boys sang the national anthem.  The halftime show was produced by MTV and featured Aerosmith, ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Nelly, Mary J. Blige, and Tremors & The Earthquake Horns.

I met wifey later in 2001, and there is no truth to the rumor that I claimed I would ask her to marry me just as soon as the Bucs won a Super Bowl.  Coincidentally, the Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003, and we got married in two months later.

Which brings us to Super Bowl XLIII

Super Bowl XLIII

Journey will perform during the pre-game show, and Jennifer Hudson will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The NFL will salute four decades of champions during the coin toss ceremony and the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation. The coin toss will feature Roger Craig (Super Bowl XXIII, 1989), John Elway (Super Bowl XXXIII, 1999) and Lynn Swann (Super Bowl XIII, 1979). Roger Craig follows last year’s participants and fellow San Francisco 49ers Craig Walsh (son of Bill Walsh), Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice and Steve Young. Joe Namath (Super Bowl III, 1969) will participate in the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation and he previously participated in the coin toss in Super Bowl XXVIII.

The Super Bowl XLIII halftime show, sponsored by Bridgestone, will feature Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

Enjoy the game!