By Karina Knighten
NFL Player Engagement
Behind the Scenes at Super Bowl XLVII
January 29, 2013 – Prepare for takeoff to the Big Easy! For football fans around the globe, the Super Bowl is the ultimate fan experience that one can ever hope to witness in a lifetime. As a league employee, I was given the opportunity to experience the Super Bowl from a staff and fan perspective, a truly unique experience, as well as my first time at a Super Bowl.
Name: Karina Knighten
Number of Years at the league office: 6
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Father’s hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Staff Assignment: NFL House
Escaping the NYC winter storm and frigid temps, I was soon on my way to the warm temps of New Orleans. Excitement was in the humid air as I stepped off the plane to be greeted by the locals.
Tuesday: Get settled in Hyatt Regency league hotel and get my bearings. Off to my first taste of the local fair of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World for the media party. I’m greeted by a welcome committee…and a bead or two. For those that don’t know, Mardi Gras World invites you into a sneak peak of the larger than life floats that are only seen once a year during Mardi Gras and are stored in this warehouse. I’m engulfed by floats looking down at me while I stroll around sampling cuisine from local vendors in the French Quarter and Bourbon Street – shrimp and grits, fried alligator, voodoo shrimp, crawfish, chargrilled oysters, and more tasty delights! Jazz bands played all night while everyone mingled and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. Next and final stop for the night: Bourbon Street.
Wednesday: Report for duty at NFL House for a walk-thru. NFL House was first introduced to the Super Bowl in 2012 and was such a success, that the NFL brought it back again. NFL House is a VIP hospitality that offers a relaxed and laid back atmosphere filled with complimentary food and beverages, music, yoga and flywheel classes, and pampering for men and women (cigar aficionados and blow outs), while mingling with NFL players and legends. This can all be yours by an exclusive invitation. The evening was the soft opening and gave NFL working staff an opportunity to experience the NFL House firsthand before opening to the public on Thursday. Quite an impressive spread and layout!
Thursday: Grand opening of NFL House. NFL House was located in The Chicory, which is an elegant and unique 9,000 square feet venue in New Orleans’ historic warehouse district that features exposed brick walls, and was originally built in 1852 as a coffee warehouse. I report for duty at 7pm and the House is already bustling with guests and NFL legends like JOE MONTANA. My assignment: greet and escort our player appearances through NFL House. Guests are mingling with HOWIE LONG, CHRIS LONG and LARRY FITZGERALD. New York City deejays take the turntables and spin a nice mix of 80s and 90s, disco, rhythm and blues, pop, and jazz that keeps the night going until closing time at 2am.
Friday: NFL House keeps it moving and by Day 2 the word has spread the NFL House is the place to be. Flywheel class is packed by early morning and by Noon the House is crowded. Guests are greeted by NFL greats JOE “BROADWAY JOE” NAMATH and TROY AIKMAN along with the MANNINGS – ARCHIE, PAYTON, and ELI. After my shift ends at 10pm I soon head to the ESPN party located at a school’s practice facility (location unknown). The venue is filled with hundreds of guests, celebs, and players with a special performance by CEE-LO.
Saturday: The NFL Experience is quite the scene with over 30,000 attendees. There’s everything and anything to see and do - an NFL fan’s dream. Back to NFL House I go to wrap up my last day at the House. VICTOR CRUZ, SEAN WEATHERSPOON, and DERRICK BROOKS are on my radar to attend the last day at the House. NFL House proves to be another successful event and all of the players were gracious and engaging with guests, leaving everyone with a great experience! By the end of day 3 at NFL House, I’m running on adrenalin and officially off work duty! After a shrimp po’boy on Bourbon Street and a long walk back to the hotel after a shortage on cabs, I’m ready for bed. A good night’s sleep will leave me ready for Super Bowl Sunday.
Super Bowl Sunday: My first Super Bowl - I’m ready for Tailgate and bring my appetite to sample all the local food that is set up on every level of the Superdome parking structure. The Mardi Gras theme lives on with jesters, dancers, tarot card readers, airbrush painters, and live alligators…yes, live alligators! After exploring all that NFL Tailgate has to offer, it’s time to head across the street to the Superdome. Marching bands greet us as we walk to the gates. The spirit of New Orleans is in the air as we get ready to watch the Ravens and 49ers kick off! Excitement is in the air for an action packed Super Bowl complete with the talented JENNIFER HUDSON, ALICIA KEYS, and megastar BEYONCE who will grace us at the halftime show. Who could ask for more? As I watch the Super Bowl from my seat near the Ravens end zone, adrenalin is pumping as the two teams battle it out, blackout an all. Congrats to the Ravens as the Super Bowl XLVII Champions! Super Bowl was truly an experience to be remembered.
Adieu New Orleans!