Tuesday Morning Links

Kind of a non-story at this point, and not really that big of a deal, but it's important to note that even the professional drivers at the Super Bowl are Steeler fans.

I'm not sure if you've heard about this, because it's probably the best-kept secret at the Super Bowl, but apparently Jerome Bettis is from Detroit. I'm in shock.

In lieu of actually educating its students, Texas A&M is going to court to get the Seattle Seahawks to refrain from using the phrase "12th Man". I'm sure the Seahawks being in the Super Bowl has nothing to do with the timing in which Texas A&M has decided to take this action.

Incidentally, Texas A&M didn't request a patent on the "12th Man" until 1990. The Seahawks retired the #12 in 1984, in honor of their fans. Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times has a pretty good column about the ridiculousness of the Aggies plight.

With all the talk centering around whether or not Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander will return to Seattle (he's a free agent after this season), not much is being mentioned about another Pro Bowl-bound Seahawk that is about enter the lucrative world of unrestricted free agency. The AP's Andrea Adelson filed this report about All-Pro LG Steve Hutchinson.

(Note: Hutchinson isn't going anywhere. Signing "Hutch" to a long-term contract will be the team's highest priority this off-season.)

Todd Milles of the Tacoma News Tribune has a highly informative article about the parties going on at Super Bowl XL. For example, ticket prices for the Earvin "Magic" Johnson and DJ Jazzy Jeff party range from $90-$175. In addition to mentioning the jumbo screen constructed at the base of Mount Wachusett in Princeton, Mass., the article also details how Detroit Lions VP Tom Lewand verbally fellated the arrival of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but let everyone know that “We’re not as excited to welcome the Seattle Seahawks,”. Incidentally, when the Seahawks were conducting their search for a new team President a year ago, Lewand was a guy that the 'Hawks targeted. He never responded, choosing to stay with the Detroit Lions. Whoops!

The TNT's C.R. Roberts just flew in from Tacoma, and boy are his arms tired.

I literally had no idea that #86 for the Pittsburgh Steelers was not Hines Ward, but is, in fact, "Mambo #5" singer Lou Bega.
"A little bit of Jerome, by my side...."

I've always been a big fan of Nick Bakay (aside from his patented "Tale of the Tape", which always manages to miss its mark), and he's at the Super Bowl doing a "Super Blog". I liked this line from his 6:18pm entry: "Is the collective weight of the Rolling Stones over or under one of Jerome Bettis' thighs?"

One of the more enjoyable aspects of the Seahawks being in the Super Bowl, is that the world is finally going to meet long-time Seahawk, FB Mack Strong.

Today is "Media Day", which is kind of redundant since this entire week is media-driven. The Steelers are first, starting at 10am EST. The Seahawks will man the podiums from 1-4pm EST. Check with the NFL Network tonight, and I guarantee you that a.) No Seahawk will make any boneheaded comments, and b.) Matt Hasselbeck will steal the show.