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Minnesota’s super atmosphere

You’ve heard the expression, “the air was electrified,” right? I felt that recently, and it was electrifying! I was in Minneapolis the week leading up to the Super Bowl, although I got out of town before the big day.

The Mall of America was ground zero for the media and so I went there, hoping to pick up a story or two. For me, the atmosphere at the mall was the story. “Radio Row,” as the north court of the mall was dubbed, was jam packed with hundreds of radio personalities from around the country, all trying to get interviews with current football players as well as former players, coaches and any dignitary they could hook. The air practically shimmered with the anticipation and excitement generated by the crowd.

I took a photo of Alan Page, part of the Purple People Eaters of Minnesota Viking fame in the 1970s as well as a retired Minnesota Supreme Court judge. Stefon Diggs, master of the Minnesota Miracle in the playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, passed my way and I snapped another photo.

The Gronk, Ron Gronkowski, tight end for the New England Patriots, and now infamous for that late hit, entered to raucous cheers and jeers from fans surrounding the roped off area of Radio Row. So many notables from the sports and entertainment worlds were there at the Mall, doing promos for the game, and being interviewed with the same questions over and over.

Spectators and fans from Philadelphia and New England crowded the mall, as well as locals and those just coming in for the game. Wisely, the Pats and Eagles were kept at opposite sides of the mall for appearances. I stood in one crowd who were obviously waiting for something to happen, although I had no idea what that was. I asked a nearby fan and was told the Patriots were going to be coming through that curtained off area in front of us any minute now. Shortly after, a guard announced that the team wouldn’t be entering the mall at all, but going through one door of the attached Radisson Blu Hotel into another door in the bowels of the Mall of America. Such disappointment!

I overheard one commentator quip, “Bill Belichick is gonna have a heart attack when he sees where his players are staying,” referring to the one hotel right in the thick of the Super Bowl mania taking place at the mall.

I was interviewed by a television station in Providence, Rhode Island, although I have no idea if they actually used the footage. After avowing my undying love for the Minnesota Vikings and disappointment that they weren’t playing in the Super Bowl on their home turf, I was asked who I was rooting for. “Anybody but the Patriots,” was my answer. The female reporter was aghast! The cameraman whispered to me, “Me too. I hate the Patriots.” Blasphemy!

The highlight for me, however, was engineering a chance to talk to Paul Allen, radio sports talk host for K-FAN radio in the Twin Cities. Personally I didn’t know PA, as he is called, from a hole in the wall. But, my son-in-law, along with every other red blooded football fan in Minnesota, has a huge man crush on him. So I did the only decent thing I could. I caught Paul’s eye, several times, and when he was free of the microphone, I motioned him over. Obligingly he came, with a “What’s up,” and I explained about the man crush and could I get a picture of us. “Let’s do this!” he said, and promptly plopped his head atop mine for a selfie.

The cost of a trip to the Mall of America, $302. The look on my son-in-law’s face when I showed him the picture of me with his idol, priceless.

Robyn Near is a Ripley resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com

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