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Super Bowl Media Day Is Comic Relief

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: January 27, 2009

Updated: 01/27/2009 06:30 am

TAMPA - Chances are, somebody's popping the question to Ben Roethlisberger today.

It could be a TV reporter in a wedding dress or an astrologer in a turban, but someone will become an instant celebrity on media day at Raymond James Stadium by asking the Pittsburgh quarterback for his hand in marriage.

Many players among the AFC champion Steelers boast Super Bowl experience, but media day - which takes place today at Raymond James Stadium - has a way of lowering the interview limbo bar a few notches each January.

Just when you think you've seen your last monkey hand puppet, another shameless attention seeker hits the field looking for 15 seconds of YouTube fame.

Today figures to be no different as the Steelers and NFC champion Cardinals fulfill their one-hour obligation to answer questions ranging from the inane to the frivolous:

This was the day in 2001 when defensive back Jason Sehorn was asked, "Are you embarrassed to be known as the sexiest Giant?"

A year later, Rams tackle Orlando Pace appeared perplexed when former player-turned-broadcaster D'Marco Farr wanted to know how weather would affect the big game. Pace didn't have the heart to inform Farr that the 2002 Super Bowl would be played indoors, at the Louisiana Superdome.

When the Buccaneers participated in 2003 media day at San Diego, one TV reporter kept digging for background information, asking Tampa Bay players, "Who has the biggest booty on the team?"

The winner, by consensus, was offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker.

"Kenyatta's a double-wide," said former Bucs safety Dexter Jackson.

It's too bad fans aren't invited in for media day.

You've missed ex-Buc defensive end Simeon Rice walking around in a mink coat, NFL Network microphone in hand.

Warren Sapp can't get enough of media day, and comedian Gilbert Gottfried graced us with his presence at Detroit's Ford Field three years ago as the Steelers prepared to face the Seahawks.

"I predict the team that plays better is going to win Sunday," Gottfried said five days before Pittsburgh's 21-10 triumph.

The circus is back in town.

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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