SF Examiner: A perfect finish to Super Bowl XLV for Packers

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Bumbling Christina Aguilera forgot the words to the national anthem, the bumbling NFL forgot to make sure all the people who had tickets had seats, and the bumbling Pittsburgh Steelers forgot what to do with the football, which is not turn it over.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Of Late Nights and Super Bowl Victories

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

DALLAS -- Saw a story that Ben Roethlisberger and a couple of Steelers teammates had been witnessed post-midnight at a Fort Worth bar. Then a few hours later saw in person Dick Vermeil, now in the wine business but previously a coach of football champions.

Such a perfect link.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

SF Examiner: Despite off-field issues, Big Ben back in big game

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

It’s not as if nothing happened. The suspension was imposed, for a reason which if it doesn’t beg the truth is hardly specific.

Ben Roethlisberger missed the first month of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Northern California native Aaron Rodgers is leader of the Pack

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

In the end, sport is about results, not possibilities. Sure, football, the 49ers and  the Green Bay Packers would have been different if San Francisco had drafted the man who as a kid always wanted to play in The City — Aaron Rodgers. But they did not, and in retrospect, Rodgers is better off, if indeed the Niners are not.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Madness From Another Media Day

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

ARLINGTON, Texas -- These spikes were not done by a wide receiver who had just scored. They were the four-inch heels of the reporter -- need it be pointed out a woman reporter? -- from some TV station as intent on getting herself noticed as she was getting the answer to a preposterous question.

Stilettos on artificial turf are about as nonsensical as on icy thoroughfares in Dallas, and if this is supposed to be a test case of the 2014 (brrr) New York game we are (chattering teeth) forewarned.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011