Madonna proved to be the star attraction as Paul Higham continues his Super Bowl build-up.
Madonna proved to be the star attraction in Indianapolis as Paul Higham continues his build-up to the Super Bowl
These are the days that make the Super Bowl such a great event to attend, only here and only now could you be sat in a press conference before America's biggest sporting event watching Madonna salsa dance on stage whilst being watched by the new Miss America...
Madonna will be taking to the stage on Sunday performing in the half-time show which has become one of the biggest gigs around due to the huge TV audience, and even she admitted to being more nervous than before any previous appearance she's ever made.
It was another fine day in Indianapolis and a good chance to have a good look around the place and I've got to say the organisers have done a cracking job as everybody really likes the set-up.
Indy being a smaller town compared to some obviously helps, but having the whole fan experience within walking distance of each other was a masterstroke, from media centre to NFL Experience to Lucas Oil Stadium to fan village is all a mere stroll away.
The media centre came up trumps again with some quality pizza being handed out by Papa Johns, you've never seen a gang of journos move so quickly when then smell wafted across Radio Row.
Big News
It was also a day of big news, Peyton Manning was given the go-ahead to play again but his probable replacement as Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, was in town for the Super Bowl, and possibly to have a look around his new home for next season?
Rob Grownkowski's ankle is also one of the most talked-about topics around the city. Good news for the Patriots is that he was on the practice field at last on Thursday, but only in a limited capacity and he is still a big worry.
There's little doubt in my mind that he will take the field, but just how effective he will be is another matter, mind you, with 17 touchdowns this season the big tight end will still warrant the Giants' full attention as long as he is on the field.
Arrivals are starting to ramp up, there have already been 90,000 people a day taking in all the fan attractions around the city, but these mainly so far have been native Colts fans, perhaps eager to enjoy themselves after a miserable season.
And there is a real sense of pride at Indiana's first staging of a Super Bowl - it may not be the last if the feedback from fans, organisers and journalists continues to be as positive as it is right now.
Small town vibe
These smaller cities are more my cup of tea, in places such as Miami and in Dallas, as good as they are, had events spread across a huge area which proved a nightmare if you were trying to cover as many as possible.
Here, you can get to everything with ease, that is, of course, unless you've had the misfortune to be in a hotel 25 miles outside of the city! Nevertheless well press on regardless.
The stars are also starting to arrive in greater number, big-name players such as Drew Brees, Greg Jennings and Tony Gonzalez have been around to preview the game.
I was lucky enough to have a chat with former Super Bowl winner and MVP Kurt Warner during today, he's still undecided on who he thinks will win on Sunday as he stays diplomatic till the end.
I'm predicting that the Giants will win the home crowd votes, with Colts fans backing Eli Manning as the younger brother of their hero Peyton, while they would hate to see long-time AFC rivals New England and Tom Brady pick up the Super Bowl on enemy territory.
So expect the Giants to have the slight edge in crowd backing on Sunday night, but if Eli does succeed it would then give him one more Super Bowl win than his brother, and all of a sudden the conversation on who is the better brother would be a serious one.
Nobody would have thought that even when Eli was winning his first Super Bowl four years ago, but the way he has led his team this season has been magnificent, and yes Peyton has four league MVPs but just the one ring - and they have always been the sign of greatness.
Anyway, excitement is building and with fans arriving in droves it promises to get better and better...
