One thing about the Super Bowl that no one likes is the extra week of media buildup. Absolutely no one cares about the Pro Bowl, so the second bye week creates even more time for the press to recycle the same tired storylines. And like this flu season, this “Harbowl,” “Harbaugh Bowl,” or “Harbauwl” was much worse than most years.
The main plotline has been beaten to death on Championship weekend.
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1. OMG THE TWO COACHES ARE BROTHERS!!! THIS IS THE BIGGEST NEWS EVER
You’re already sick and tired of this one, but look for ESPN, NFL Network and especially CBS (as they’re broadcasting the game) to beat this dead horse even more. The Harbowl will surpass the “Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are the first two African-American coaches facing each other in a Super Bowl” from the Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears Super Bowl. But at least that story arc had cultural/historical relevance. The Harbaugh showdown doesn’t mean much to anyone beyond one single family.
2. RAY LEWIS IS RETIRING! OMG!
As we will hear about Lewis ad nauseaum, let’s hope the mainstream media can at least try to separate the football player from the man. Life doesn’t happen in a bubble. Yes, he’s one of the greatest defenders of all time, but he still has 6 kids by 4 wives and hid a bloody suit from the cops as they were pursuing a double murder. That key evidence in the case was never found, and Lewis pleaded down to obstruction of justice, ratting out his friends to save himself.
For fans of Ray Lewis, here are some other athletes you may admire: Josh Brent, Jovan Belcher, O.J. Simpson, Michael Crabtree, Ben Roethlisberger, Bennie Blades, Mike Vick, Leonard Little, Kobe Bryant, Wil Cordero, Andruw Jones
3. WOW! LOOK AT COLIN KAEPERNICK’S TATTOOS!
Karpernick has had way too much ink done. And it does look silly and ridiculous; especially on someone like him. However, that’s not what you’re going to see and hear in relation to this story. Instead it’ll be “what does this tat mean?” “why does he have this bible verse tatted into his skin?” “What does that passage mean?” And since we’re on the topic of Kaepernick, expect a lot of talk about him “being a running quarterback,” and a lot of discussion about the read option in the NFL likely being a passing fad.
4, HEY! THERE’S ANOTHER COACH IN THE HARBAUGH FAMILY!
Of course, this coach is by marriage, not by blood- former Marquette leader and current Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Crean. And if IU lives up to all the serious college basketball preseason hype, then they’ll be at the Final Four. And this storyline can repeat itself yet again.
5. JIM HARBAUGH MADE A REALLY BOLD MOVE BENCHING ALEX SMITH FOR KAEPERNICK IN MIDSEASON
Smith, a former #1 overall pick finally came into his own last year under Harbaugh, and was having another fine season this year until getting hurt. Kaepernick filled in admirably, and kept the gig when Smith got healthy. Because Harbaugh thinks it is right and just to lose your job from injury. People will talk about what a bold, visionary move this was on the part of the coach.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Chicago Tribune.com, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar, published author and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; he’s also a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.