Radio Free Montone: I'm Going To Watch The Super Bowl
By John Montone, 1010 WINS
I have attended three Super Bowl games as a reporter for 1010 WINS, the Giants' two most recent victories in Phoenix and Indianapolis and the game two years ago at Met Life. I also covered two other Giants Super Bowl appearances, their 1987 win against Denver in which I worked the crowd of fans at Manny's Bar in Moonachie and the 2000 game from my next-door neighbor's living room. On Monday morning news anchor Lee Harris made it a point to let our audience know that I had been given a day in exchange for hanging out with friends and watching a football game. Well, the game stunk and I couldn't drink so I deserved a day off.
I watched the first Super Bowl game at the home of a high school friend whose parents had a color TV. We did not own one. My father insisted they were a "gimmick," that wouldn't last. When Broadway Joe and the Jets pulled off the greatest upset in pro football history two years later, I watched on my grandparents black and white with the circular screen.
But beginning in 1981 I have been a morning drive radio reporter which has made the consumption of fried food and booze right before turning in for the night inadvisable. So while I've shown up at parties on Super Bowl Sunday, I would only graze the munchies and I've usually ducked out before the halftime spectacular. Wardrobe malfunction? Huh?
Last year I managed to stay awake into the third quarter and paid for it the next day when I had to cover an ice storm on a few hours sleep.
This year is different. I am using a vacation day so I can watch the game and the commercials, stuff my belly and booze it up. Pop open another brewski, Johnny's thirsty. Nachos? Why not. And don't be cheap with the guacamole. Cold Play? Who dat? The Broncos? The Panthers? Who cares? Buffalo wings…yummy. Beeeeeer….good.
I just have to remember to take a nap before the kickoff. Otherwise I'll fall asleep face down in the salsa.
C'mon, Peyton. Johnny loves you.
