Well, I’ll bet not many people, including the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, saw that coming!! The Eagles completely dominated the two-time defending champion Chiefs in winning Super Bowl LIX 40-22. The Philadelphia defense, particularly the defensive line, made Patrick Mahomes look human while the offense capitalized on turnovers along with solid play, causing a rowdy fan base to sing “Fly, Eagles Fly”! The “Iggles” claimed their second Lombardi Trophy in three appearances in the last eight years and definitely were the best team in the NFL this year, finishing 18-3. Even the presence of Taylor Swift couldn’t overcome the Chiefs’ woes this time!
As always, the Super Bowl MVP is “going to Disney World!”. Better be prepared— according to Fortune Magazine, fifty years ago, a family of four could visit the Magic Kingdom for $262 in today’s dollars. The same family today faces a $766 pre-tax bill for four one-day peak-season tickets. Of course, I think Jalen Hurts could probably afford it even if the ticket weren’t free!!
Speaking of being able to afford it, LeBron James reportedly spends about $1.5 million yearly on his body to stay fit at age 40. With a blockbuster trade bringing Luka Doncic to the Lakers from the Mavs, it will be interesting to see if The King’s regimen rubs off on Doncic, one of the top five players in the NBA, who’s been accused by some critics of being somewhat portly!
The Eagles’ victory over the Chiefs was the eighth Super Bowl hosted in the Superdome but the eleventh in New Orleans overall. Where were the other three played? Answer to follow!
Girls’ high school tournament action begins this week, with all seven divisions playing at various sites around the area. The boy’s tournament pairings were established Sunday, with games set to begin on February 17th—for complete listings, visit the MyCountyLink or OHSSA websites. Let’s get out and support not only your favorite schools but also just go and enjoy some great prep basketball!!
Let’s take a look at the area’s regular season girls basketball champions—
—in the Miami Valley League, Butler was the Miami champion, while Sidney and Stebbins tied in the Valley division.
—Mississinawa Valley, Arcanum, and Tri-Village all earned a share of Western Ohio Athletic Conference honors, each finishing with a 10-1 league mark.
—in the Midwest Athletic Conference, it was St. Henry’s Lady Redskins claiming the trophy. —Covington’s Lady Buccs finished first in the Three Rivers Conference.
—the Lady Firebirds of Fairmont won the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
—in the Southwest Buckeye League it was Waynesville in the Buckeye division and Bellbrook in the Southwest winning crowns.
Congratulations to all on well-deserved laurels, the result of talent and hard work. Best of luck to all teams on the tournament trail!
Here’s a pun lovers alert!! While walking with good friends Larry Shade and Dave Julian last week through the Greenville cemetery, we happened to pass by a group of tombstones with the name Shade engraved. Even though none were related to Larry (who held the Newton High School basketball career scoring record for several decades and later played at Tennessee Tech) we decided that it might be worthy of a book titled “Fifty Graves of Shade”!
Stay active and healthy as we work through the gray days of February. The Reds’ pitchers and catchers report to spring training tomorrow, and every day brings us closer to Spring, which falls on Thursday, March 20th. You can almost hear the robins singing!
The other three New Orleans Super Bowls (‘70, ‘72, and ‘75) were held at the old Tulane Stadium. The 1970 game is remembered for Kansas City beating the favored Vikings 23-7, a game in which Chiefs head coach Hank Stram was wired up and uttered this great line to his offense to “keep matriculating the ball down the field boys.
Have a great week!
