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Olbermann, Collinsworth Turn 50 Amid Super Hoopla

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2009

Amid the hoopla of Super Bowl and the media blitz at the Tampa Convention Center, the head of NBC Sports surprised sports analysts Keith Olbermann and Cris Collinsworth with birthday cakes.
Both men turned 50 Tuesday.

Dick Ebersol, CEO of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, interrupted an informal interview session with the NBC Super Bowl talent, to salute Olbermann and Collingsworth.

Neither could blow out all the candles on their respective cakes at first try.

Collingsworth, a former NFL wide receiver who has been a sports reporter/announcer since 1989, and Olbermann, host of MSNBC's "Countdown," are part of the broadcast team covering Super Bowl XLIII.

Also in the room were John Madden, Al Michaels, Tiki Barber, Jerome Bettis, Bob Costas and Dan Patrick. No one sang "Happy Birthday" but the media shared the cake.

Olbermann, who is coming off coverage of the inauguration of President Barack Obama, says the Super Bowl transcends politics.

"I never mix the two," he notes. "I draw the line between my sports reporting and my political commentary. I won't say anything political during the Super Bowl coverage. Although there are some people whose heads may explode at the mere sight of me on a sports show."

"Life is not entirely defined by politics and almost everyone will be celebrating the Super Bowl. It's one thing we agree on," he says.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib.com

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