Joe Flacco admits that he's a wimp who doesn't appreciate football.

[Rain Man]

At least, that's my reading of his statement.

What kind of nation have we become? Football players, who by tradition are the manliest of men, now are afraid to play outside because it's cold? BECAUSE IT'S COLD? This is an insult to anyone who ever watched the film of Bob Lilly and Jethro Pugh kicking the frozen turf to get a foothold. It's an insult to anyone who saw Derrick Thomas sitting in the deluge in Arrowhead Stadium against Seattle. It's an insult to anyone who didn't quite see the fog game in Chicago.

Football is an outdoor sport. It's an OUTDOOR sport. Mud and snow and grass are part of the game. If you want an inside job, Joe Flacco, I would recommend that you put your physical education degree to use and get a job in some office somewhere.

Geezle beezle, it's no wonder we lost Vietnam.




http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2012...-super-bowl-nj

Joe Flacco blasts cold-weather Bowl
Updated: January 29, 2013, 10:12 AM ET
ESPN.com news services

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco didn't mask his feelings Monday when he was asked about the NFL's championship being decided next year at MetLife Stadium, the first outdoor Super Bowl at a cold-weather site.

"I think it's reeruned. I probably shouldn't say that. I think it's stupid," he told reporters after the Ravens arrived in New Orleans for Sunday's Super Bowl. "If you want a Super Bowl, put a retractable dome on your stadium. Then you can get one.

"Other than that I don't really like the idea. I don't think people would react very well to it, or be glad to play anybody in that kind of weather," he said.

Next year's Super Bowl will be held Feb. 2, 2014, at the building shared by the Giants and Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.

The record low for a Super Bowl kickoff is 39 degrees when Dallas beat Miami in January 1972 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. It'll be a lot warmer in the Big Easy when the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers tangle Sunday. They'll be inside the Superdome.

The National Weather Service said the average high in nearby Newark, N.J., on Feb. 2 is 39.8 degrees and the low is 24.2. The average precipitation on that date going back to 1931 is about one-eighth of an inch.

Last week, on a 24-degree Thursday in Manhattan that felt a lot colder because of the wind, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is "thrilled" that next year's Super Bowl is being hosted in the New York region, while adding that they'll be "prepared" in the event of harsh weather conditions.

"We made this decision [to play the game here], obviously not knowing what the weather would be, but football is made to be played in the elements," Goodell said Thursday during a news conference at City Hall, adding that temperatures are forecast to be about 50 degrees next week.

"We're gonna celebrate the game here. We're gonna celebrate the weather here. We're gonna make it a great experience," he said.

No city is immune to rugged weather. Even though Green Bay and Pittsburgh played inside Cowboys Stadium two years, snow and ice blanketed the lead-up events.

The only significant precipitation during a Super Bowl came in February 2007 at Miami. Playing in a rainstorm, Indianapolis and Chicago committed four turnovers in the first quarter.

Expect ticket sales to be brisk next year, StubHub spokesman Glenn Lehrman said last week. He predicted the 2014 Super Bowl would create the largest demand "we've ever had."

"I think people want to be part of a first-time experience. Whatever it is," he said.

Lehrman said because so many people live on the East Coast -- within driving distance of the stadium, not needing pricey hotel rooms -- cold weather wouldn't have a chilling effect.

Goodell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week gave an overview of plans and events leading up to the game, highlighted by the creation of a "Super Bowl Boulevard," a massive fan event with free admission in midtown Manhattan that will take place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. Fans will be able to see the Vince Lombardi Trophy, catch nightly concerts and check out NFL-themed exhibits.

The NFC team will work out at the Giants' practice facility in East Rutherford, N.J., while the AFC team will practice at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J. Both teams will stay at hotels in New Jersey.

One study projected that the economic impact to the region would add $550 million to $600 million.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Just trying to think of other options. IMO not having a true home crowd takes something away from the game. It's just a bunch of fat cats having tea and crumpets. I want some upperdeck rowdies. All the bells and whistles that go with the game can die in a fire.

Those days are long gone, my friend.

This is bidness, as they say.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Those days are long gone, my friend.

This is bidness, as they say.

Just let a boy dream.

[Setsuna]

Jacksonville was not a disaster you all just assume the gates of Hell are there and can't say anything good about the city. It's stupid really.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

As a fan, I agree with you. However, Roger Goodell is not a fan. Roger Goodell is a businessman whose goal is to maximize profit.

It really is up to the owners if that wanted to spread it around to every team they could. But they don't want to and I don't understand why.

[GloryDayz]

This sissy is an out-right pussy! **** him! Real fans like the elements and all the challenges they bring! Those who don't should shut the **** up and enjoy the awesomenees of some other indoor sport. I hope he knows MOST fans actually love to watch a game in the rain/snow/sleet. What's next, is he going to pussy out of night games because it's past his bed time?

As for the super bowl, he might be right, BECAUSE NOT MANY TRUE FOOTBALL FANS ARE THERE! Mainly useless corporate types with way too much money and time on their hands. THAT'S why they say "Super Bowl week is about a lot more than the game." No it's not!

What a dick!

[MahiMike]

Joe Flacco is the new Joe Montana and above reproach. Anything he says is ok.

[mlyonsd]

That settles it, I'm rooting for the niners.

[mikey23545]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

At least, that's my reading of his statement.

What kind of nation have we become? Football players, who by tradition are the manliest of men, now are afraid to play outside because it's cold? BECAUSE IT'S COLD? This is an insult to anyone who ever watched the film of Bob Lilly and Jethro Pugh kicking the frozen turf to get a foothold. It's an insult to anyone who saw Derrick Thomas sitting in the deluge in Arrowhead Stadium against Seattle. It's an insult to anyone who didn't quite see the fog game in Chicago.

Football is an outdoor sport. It's an OUTDOOR sport. Mud and snow and grass are part of the game. If you want an inside job, Joe Flacco, I would recommend that you put your physical education degree to use and get a job in some office somewhere.

Geezle beezle, it's no wonder we lost Vietnam.

One of the most iconic visuals in the history of football.

[FlaChief58]

I'm all for the game being played no matter what the weather. Every city should get the opportunity to host a SB

Maybe they should follow baseball's lead and use the pro bowl to decide which division hosts the SB the following year. If the pro bowl meant something, it would be worth watching.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Flachief58

I'm all for the game being played no matter what the weather. Every city should get the opportunity to host a SB

Maybe they should follow baseball's lead and use the pro bowl to decide which division hosts the SB the following year. If the pro bowl meant something, it would be worth watching.

I thought about that, but is Derrick Johnson going to put his career on the line so the Broncos or Raiders can host a superbowl? I'd think he might throw the game instead.

[FlaChief58]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I thought about that, but is Derrick Johnson going to put his career on the line so the Broncos or Raiders can host a superbowl? I'd think he might throw the game instead.

That's the beauty of it, since they would be playing for the following year, no one knows who is in the game

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Flachief58

I'm all for the game being played no matter what the weather. Every city should get the opportunity to host a SB

Maybe they should follow baseball's lead and use the pro bowl to decide which division hosts the SB the following year. If the pro bowl meant something, it would be worth watching.

Would never work. Super Bowls are planned more than 3 years in advance.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Flachief58

That's the beauty of it, since they would be playing for the following year, no one knows who is in the game

I gotcha, but I'm still not sure you're going to get players to risk injury and cost themselves millions on the slim chance they make the SB the following year.

[FlaChief58]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Would never work. Super Bowls are planned more than 3 years in advance.

I thought about that too & realize it would'nt be easy but, if baseball can get 2 cities ready, I think the NFL could get 1 ready.

[Thig Lyfe]

ALL Super Bowls should be played in cold weather. Preferably with snow.