We're less than 24 hours away from Beijing's annual Super Bowl Monday and watching Super Bowl XVII. A trio of NFL stars, past and present, will be watching at Kerry Hotel's official NFL Super Bowl Party at Kerry Hotel. NFL China has brought over Reggie Bush, 27, who plays running back for the Miami Dolphins, Jack Brewer, 34, a former safety for the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, and Akin Ayodele, 33, a former Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys linebacker to enjoy the festivities. We blitzed them on who's going to win, whether they were paid enough, and the global phenomenon of the Super Bowl.
We’re putting you on the spot, pick a team and a final score
Reggie: Baltimore Ravens 21-17.
Akin: 49ers 28-27.
Where is the biggest, most exciting match-up on the field, between the teams?
Reggie: You should look out for the quarterback ability of Joe Flacco, it’s his game to lose. He plays well, it will be a defensive game.
Akin: How the Baltimore Ravens stop [Colin] Kaepernick will be important. He’s such an explosive player.
Who did you think was going to make the Super Bowl at the start of the season?
Jack: New England and San Francisco.
Akin: Texas and the Giants.
Reggie: I was hoping it was going to be us [Miami Dolphins].
Did you see either of these teams (Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers) making it to the Super Bowl at the start of the season?
Reggie: Yes, they’re both good teams, both were contenders.
Akin: The 49ers had a good start. I thought the Ravens wouldn’t make it out of their division.
For non-Americans, can you give a sense of just how significant the Super Bowl is in the US?
Jack: It’s so significant, it’s the most-watched event. It’s part of our culture, ingrained in us. Families come together and partake in the festivities.
Which Super Bowl was the most memorable for you?
Akin: Cowboys vs. Buffaloes '93.
Jack: Giants '07 [against the New England Patriots. The New York Giants won 17-14 in what is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in NFL history].
Does any other sporting event or cultural event compare to the Super Bowl in the States?
Reggie: Nothing. Combine the other three [basketball, baseball, ice hockey] and you still don’t come close. Everything shuts down. Families get together.
Akin: TV ads cost USD 4 million for the commercials.
Where do you usually go to watch the Super Bowl?
Reggie: Last time I was in Mexico City.
Jack: I was in Shanghai for the last one.
Akin: Usually I’m in this bar that I co-own, in Miami. It's called the Foxhole.
Why do you think the Super Bowl has become such a global phenomenon?
Reggie: It's seeing the athletes – just how remarkable the athletes move. The intrigue. You can see someone 6’6 run around defenders. It's so unpredictable.
Would you encourage your kids to play football?
Jack: No!
Reggie: That's a good question.
Jack: It's a lot of work and sacrifice. Tough on the body and mind. It's physically grueling. I wouldn't say no, but I would encourage them to try everything else first.
Reggie: It's a modern-day gladiator sport.
Akin, Jack, how much did you get paid as footballers?
Akin: It's all public information.
Jack: Not enough, I wouldn’t go back.
Akin: Yeah, for the amount of work we did, it wasn't enough.
Reggie, what's it like watching the Super Bowl when you could be there if the season had gone differently?
Reggie: You go into the season high, with goals. But we fell short and didn't accomplish them. Yeah, I feel a little jealous, envious, but next season we'll come out bigger and better. We have to find a way to use that feeling to motivate ourselves to get better next season.
The Kerry Hotel's official NFL Super Bowl Party takes place from 6.30am. Tickets are still available. You can also check out our list of everywhere you can catch Super Bowl XVII on Monday morning.
Photo: the Beijinger
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