Super Bowl XLII

I was excited to be invited to the Super Bowl this year, by one of my Developers in town, truly a chance of a lifetime! The only thing that would make it even better was if I could experience it with a family member. Well, "ring ring" came the call from Southwest Airlines one afternoon... (I take on average 6 flights a week with my job and am one of their top customers). I was asked if I would like to go to the Super Bowl and before I could say I already had a ticket, they said they would like to give me two tickets for being such a valued customer! The face value alone was $700 each; the same were being scalped that week between 5k & 14k... Tempting, but my first thought was my brother Robert, who I had actually learned to play football with over the years of our youth and had plenty mini-Super Bowls of our own at the "big yard" across the street with our neighborhood friends.
Would it be the New England Patriots, who were seeking the first undefeated season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, or the New York Giants, who was David facing Goliath. Myself, being a fan of the Boise St. Broncos (having lived there 5 years), you have to pull for the under dog!!! After all, not many expected Boise St. to pull off their performance/win they did just 13 months prior with the infamous "Statue of Liberty" play for the win in the very same stadium!
The New York Giants found a way as well and pulled off "One Giant Upset" by beating the New England Patriots 17 -14 and crushed their perfect 19-0 season. It was inspiring to see Eli Manning become an MVP by leading his team to victory with some clutch plays in the end and did so just one year after his older brother did the same with the Indianapolis Colts (also MVP).
As the Manning brothers celebrated together post-game it became surreal to me to think that I too was experiencing a rare opportunity with my brother, a chance of a lifetime, that neither of us will soon forget!

- Thanks for taking some great pictures Rob!