Super Bowl LVI news summary, Friday 11 February
Rams v Bengals: Super Bowl LVI
The Bengals QB has some lofty ambitions, but if he keeps going the way he has been, it's likely he'll reach them!
The Los Angeles Rams and a former legend are in a standoff. Is that what they need right now?
What's going on here?
It looks like even the Detroit Lions fans are are rooting for the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl where they will face the Cincinnati Bengals.
Wait a minute?!?
Apparently there is something in the name Joe when it comes to the NFL's biggest game!
In case you were wondering...
Here's a look at the evolution of the Super Bowl logo throughout the years. Can you spot any patterns?
As The Bengals' coach gets ready to face his former team in the Super Bowl, it's clear that somethings are still fresh in his mind.
Some things are eternal and should always be.
In a moment when the country as a whole needed a 'pick me up,' the late and most definitely great Whitney Houston more than delivered. Perhaps one of the greatest national anthem performances at a Super Bowl ever, the moment has been recollected time and time again and that will surely continue to be the case for many years to come.
From LSU to the Super Bowl, this kid has got something.
Whether it's Joey Brrr or Mr. Football, there's one thing that's clear and that's the idea that Joe Burrow is something different.
Jim “Mattress Mack” has outdone himself.
Last week the furniture store owner wagered $4.5 million on the Bengals- the largest mobile bet ever on a Super Bowl. He has just broken his own record by placing another bet- this time for five million dollars.
The businessman is offering to refund purchases at his store that amount to $3,000 or more if the Bengals win over the favored Rams. With his potential earnings from his king-size bets, he will have no problem keeping his promise.
Super Bowl Sunday registers the most food consumed in a day in the US, second only to Thanksgiving. More than a billion chicken wings are relished on this day, but if you want to party in a meatless manner, here are some suggestions on what you can munch on while cheering for your favorite team.
Sunday’s game is set to be the most expensive Super Bowl in history. Mere mortals have to cough up thousands for even the furthest of seats, while the fortunate few who can afford the craziest of prices will need to pay millions for the the priciest suite.
For those who have the means and desire to shell out a fortune for the most expensive seats in the house, there are some other perks aside from being as close to the action as possible.
Covid-19 restrictions in place for Super Bowl LVI
Football fans who were able to acquire (afford!) tickets to Super Bowl LVI will have to comply with covid-19 restrictions. Everyone aged two and up must wear a mask at all times. If you forget yours, you’re covered, as everyone who enters the stadium will be handed a KN95 mask.
You also need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result at the entrance. SoFi Stadium has an on-site testing clinic- just be prepared to pay $59 to get your result within 30 minutes, a day before the game.
The bets are definitely coming in, and now we see rapper Drake dropping over a million dollars to wager on the Los Angeles Rams.
There’s going to be a LOT of money made (or lost) on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event in the country, and attracts hundreds of millions of viewers every year. With so much attention paid to the big game, officiating must be as error-free as possible.
And for performing under this added pressure, NFL referees receive a little extra.
There’s one thing that’s keeping football fans from flocking to SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl Sunday, and that’s exorbitant ticket prices to the game. Resale tickets at the NFL’s official ticket market are going for as high as $55,000, while the cheapest tickets can still set you back a few thousand dollars.
There’s been a downturn in demand over the last 24 hours, probably due to less demand by fans exasperated by the crazy costs of entry.
Another feather on Burrow's cap
The NFL Honors trophies have been handed out, and Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow is one of the recipients. The quarterback had an injury-shortened rookie season, but the number one draft pick returned with a vengeance, now seeing action in his team’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.
For this achievement, the 25-year-old has been named Comeback Player of the Year.
The Los Angeles Rams notoriously registered the lowest score ever recorded in Super Bowl history when they lost to the New England Patriots 13-3 in their last appearance at the championship, but on the other end of the spectrum, which contest for the Lombardi trophy saw the highest scores?
Sean McVay: "Youth does not mean inexperience"
Ram's coach Sean McVay is a great example of how hard-work, perseverance, and talent can get you anywhere.
The 36-year-old, who's getting ready for his second Super Bowl appearance as a coach, has been coaching in the NFL for five years.
His impact on the Rams was seen as soon as he took charge in 2017; he broke a 12-year playoff drought in his first campaign with the team, and brought the Rams to the Super Bowl in only his second season with them.
In total, McVay has taken Los Angeles to three NFC West titles.
Before he took on Los Angeles, McVay coached the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) at just 22 years old, and established a reputation at such a young age.
Super Bowl LVI: Did you know?
And just don't miss out on our Jennifer Bubel's video for a more visual experience with her favorite top five facts on each of the Super Bowl contenders.
Super Bowl LVI is bringing many surprises to SoFi Stadium with the L.A. Rams and Bengals going all out on Sunday. Check out the top 10 facts about each team!
Meanwhile in California...
Queen just posing casually...
Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford
Cincinnati's Joe Burrow and Los Angeles's Matthew Stafford are expected to put on an insane show on Sunday, and we LOVE it when we see QBs supporting each other!
Did you Know?
The Bengals' three postseason games this year have been decided by margins of seven, three, and three?
No NFL team has ever played (let alone won) four games decided by seven points or less in a postseason. These Bengals have their eyes on the prize.
Snoop Dogg sued for sexual assault
Rapper Snoop Dogg (real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) is set to appear in the halftime show on Sunday at the Super Bowl. However he's been hit with a sexual assault lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in a federal court in Los Angeles.
The suit, filed by a Jane Doe accuser who says she worked as an onstage dancer for the star, claims she was assaulted by Snoop Dogg and his associate Bishop Don “Magic” Juan (real name Donald Campbell) in May 2013.
According to the suit, as seen by Rolling Stone and others, she was offered and accepted a ride home by Bishop, who instead took her to his house, where he sexually assaulted her. The suit then alleges that Campbell demanded she accompany him to a recording studio where Snoop Dogg was filming a TV series. At the studio, according to the suit, the Jane Doe plaintiff felt ill and was using the bathroom when Snoop Dogg entered and sexually assaulted her.
A source for Snoop Dogg reportedly told website TMZ that the suit had been deliberately filed this week ahead of the Super Bowl because the rapper will be performing at the halftime show.
In the filing the Jane Doe plaintiff says that she attempted to resolve the dispute through private mediation that took place on February 8, 2022. “Immediately after the mediation ended,” according to the suit, Snoop Dogg posted an image on Instagram reading “Gold digger season is here”. The suit alleges Snoop Dogg’s post is “obviously threatening”.
So far there hasn't been any public reaction to the suit from the NFL.
According to forecasts, Super Bowl LVI could be the hottest on record with temperatures in Inglewood reaching up to 82ºF on game day.
Cam Akers appreciation moment
Here's another appreciation moment for one of the most inspiring stories of this season that isn't talked about enough.
Cam Akers not getting enough credit
Here is one of the best stories of the 2021-22 season. Cam Akers, who tore his Achilles less than a year ago, is killing it since he’s been back!
Five Fun Facts for Rams vs Bengals:
Now onto some fun facts about some of the Rams and Bengals’ players!
1. Joe Burrow is the best quarterback in the NFL. period.
Thank you Tom Brady for giving a chance to the new kid in town. Burrow’s PFF passing grades in stable situations are just something else:
Clean Pocket: 95.2 (No. 1 among 35 qualified quarterbacks)
Standard: 92.4 (No. 1)
1st/2nd Down: 90.2 (No. 1)
No Play Action: 92.2 (No. 1)
At/Beyond Sticks: 96.7 (No. 2)
2. The Ja’Marr Chase and Burrow duo has become one of the best in the league, with Chase making life much easier for Burrow to throw the ball.
3. Tight end C.J. Uzomah, or Cincinnati’s #87 (like I love to call him) suffered a knee injury, but is playing no matter what. “I'm not missing the biggest game of my life.”
4. L.A. Rams’ Aaron Donald, who can have up to 20 smoothies a day by the way, is the NFL’s single-best defensive player and all eyes are on him this Sunday.
5.Donald and Von Miller’s combo will take off with full force against the Bengals, and just the thought of that gives the Rams an advantage. Oops.
The Rams have a statistical advantage over Cincinnati
When you look on paper, everybody knows the Rams have an advantage in almost every part of the game against Cincinnati. Los Angeles’ defense is anchored by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, who are considered to be two of the best players of their generation.
And Matthew Stafford has just transformed Los Angeles in every way, including setting career highs in completion percentage (67.2) and passing touchdowns (41) this year, only behind Tom Brady who threw more TDs (43) Oh, and needless to say, the Rams are playing at their "home stadium", too.
Halftime Show Fun Facts:
Here are a few fun updates ahead of Super Bowl Sunday:
Officials and law enforcement have secured the SoFi Stadium, by taking all possible security measures, including cutting drone access surrounding the Stadium area as a way to prevent any attacks.
The halftime show artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar are all preparing their hip-hop and rap performances that will blow our minds away. And while we expect to see some surprise artists being brought on stage Sunday, we already think we know who Dr. Dre is bringing along. And that would be 50 Cent. For the meantime, we’re refreshing our Spotify playlists.
Kendrick Lamar might be releasing a new album any minute now, Eminem is bringing his “Mom’s Spaghetti” restaurant to L.A. for the Super Bowl, Snoop Dogg has just owned records of his “Death Row data” album, and Mary J. Blige is bringing back her 2001 halftime show performance to the SoFi stage.
Super Bowl LVI build-up: welcome
Hello and welcome to our latest live blog, with all the latest Super Bowl LVI build-up, just for you. We are now only 2 days away from kickoff at SoFi Stadium, where the Rams will go for another Super Bowl championship against a Bengals team that has never lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy.