PROLOGUE
an·tic·i·pa·tion
Pronunciation: (an-ti-sə-pā-shən\
Function: noun
Date:14th century
a: a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action b: the act of looking forward ; especially : pleasurable expectation
Welcome to Super Bowl Sunday. For millions of Americans… scratch that, for millions of fans around the globe, today’s game is a celebration – a party, or holiday. Friends and family will gather together for the majority of the day to take in American football, as well as the Halftime extravaganza, and for many, the commercials in-between the action. Last year’s game between the Patriots and the Giants was viewed by a record 97.5 million people nationwide, the most-watched TV broadcast in 2008. That doesn’t take into account the millions that watched around the globe. This year’s game is being broadcast in 230 countries (see a complete listing). The game has even more relevance in the two cities that are hosts to the teams playing today at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. For the Arizona Cardinals, it will be their first ever Super Bowl appearance. The only other championship that has come to the Phoenix area was the World Series won by the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, if they win today, there is the chance to raise a record sixth Lombardi Trophy over head. Pittsburgh has seen championships from the NHL Penguins (Stanley Cup winners in 1991-1992), and MLB Pirates (World Series titles in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, and 1979). So, today may be best summed up as a David versus Goliath match-up. Enjoy the festivities. Take in some commercials (here’s last year’s favorite, along with the greatest Super Bowl commercial of all time), and Bruce Springsteen at Halftime SELECT READ MORE TO SEE THIS LIVE SUPER BOWL BLOG AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS
1:35PM (ET) - ESPN's Pre-Game Coverage Give it to ESPN. Each year, they do more pre-game coverage than anyone. There's one slight problem with that... They do more coverage than anyone. Look, segments on the Terrible Towel are great (seems that 6 million of them have been made), but the Sunday NFL Countdown team is more than one can handle. Chris Mortensen and Cris Carter are fine additions. I can even give a nod to Tom Jackson. But, Keyshawn Johnson, Mike Ditka, and especially, Chris Berman kill what good comes out of Sunday NFL Countdown. Now Kenny Mayne...
2:25PM (ET) - Troy Polamalu Remakes Coca-Cola's Mean Joe Greene Ad
One of the biggest football ads of all-time is Coca-Cola's Mean Joe Greene ad. Today, Coca-Cola will give a new twist to the ad by having Troy Polamalu play the role as part of a Coke Zero ad. Here is the first 12 seconds of the ad: For more on the ad... The ad can be seen online in its entirety after airing today, and can be seen here on the "Coke Conversations" YouTube channel.
3:00pm (ET) - Show Tie-InsCall me a curmudgeon. Call me jaded. Seeing umpteen pre-game tie ins to shows on the network broadcasting the game drives me crazy. I blame FOX for this behavior by the networks. And, I had hoped that NBC might rise above the fray, but apparently not. Rainn Wilson of The Office was just on the NBC pre-game show with weatherguy Al Roker. Wilson, wearing of all things, a Matt Hasselbeck jersey, said he was rooting for his team, the Seahawks, to win the Super Bowl. Much comedy, I suppose. The bigger comedy was watching Bob Costas and former Seahawks coach, Mike Holmgren react.
 5:15pm (ET) - President Obama on the BCS and the Super Bowl You have to love the new president, at least if you are a football fan. He sticks his neck out there and says (still) that the BCS is a sham, and that a national championship in college football should be done through a Bowl playoff, not the BCS. That, and he's rooting for the Steelers citing the Rooney family as campaigning for him. Lastly... Is it me, or is there something relaxing about seeing a president relaxing in a button-up shirt without a tie and coat. In closing Matt Lauer asks, "What would you like say to the tens of millions of people watching this today?" "Have a wonderful time," the President said. "The Super Bowl is one of the finest American traditions. I want to give a special shout out to all of our troops overseas who are going to be watching this because you allow not only this game to take place, but our liberties to be preserved, and we're very grateful to you."
6:00pm (ET) - Getting Ready for Game Time Michaels and Madden are on... Game time. Madden on the Cardinals. "When I think about them in the past, I think of futility. Ken Whisenhunt changed all that." First commercials... Sprint runs ad showing flip-phone that transforms into NFL stadium. A softer side for women? Kay Jewelers ad. Steroid ad... Athlete has pimple that grows into an asterisk. And of course, NBC hyping NBC Nightly News. Movie commercials... Duplicity with Julia Roberts and Clive Owens.
6:20pm (ET) - Nearly Kickoff.... Walter Payton Award Winner Kurt Warner wins the Payton award for community service. Warner worked with Habitat for Humanity. Award is given to him by Payton's widow and Commissioner Roger Goodell. America the Beautiful Faith Hill pulls off a slower, soulful version of "America the Beautiful" with a large backing choir. Great stuff. The Crew of Flight 1549 Interesting... the crew of US Airways 1549 that were able to save all aboard a crash landing into the Hudson River. Jennifer Hudson Sings the National Anthem For the first time since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered, academy award winner Jennifer Hudson belts out the National Anthem as military planes fly over. More Movie Stuff Action flick... Dennis Quaid and "G.I. Joe"
6:30pm (ET) - Coin Flip Goes to the Cardinals. Will Take Ball in Second Half
The flip goes to the Cardinals with heads and defers to the second half. Pittsburgh will receive in the first half.
Game On!Let's get it on! Game on! 
First Big Play - Big Ben to Hines WardFirst big pass play... 38 yard pass from Big Ben to Hines Ward. So much for the leg injury. Wide open. Steelers marching up the field as Willie Parker runs to the right.
Second Big Pass Play - Heath Miller Down to the 2Man... Steelers are marching up the field.Roethlisberger to Heath Miller.
Was it a Touchdown? 3-0 Steelers
After review, the runner was down short of the goal line. No TD by Steelers. Instead of a TD, Jeff Reed comes on kicks a 3 point field goal. Whisenhunt challenge works out. 
Jeff Reed 18 Yard Field Goal is Good Drive info: 9 plays, 71 yds, 5:15
6:50pm - First Drive by Cardinals Results in PuntWith 6:13 into first and the Cardinals have to punt... Commercials... In what may be the funniest one yet, Conan O'Brian does an ad that will only be shown in Sweden for Bud Light. If only it was seen in just Sweden. New Jack Black flick.
Hines Ward Goes 25 YardsFirst play after the punt, Hines Ward goes long with extra yards.
Big Ben ScramblesIf the Steelers scores on this drive, it will be the scrambling of Ben Roethlisberger that will be remembered. The Steelers are showing all kinds of different looks and have the Cardinals back on their heels with the end of the quarter nearly here.
END OF 1
More Commercials
Bridgestone ad with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head is priceless. Castrol Oil commercial with "grease monkeys". Will Farrell in (get this) The Land of the Lost. Doritos ad has guy that has everything go right when he crunches... until the end. Danica Patrick takes not one, but five showers in GoDaddy.com ad.
Steelers Score TD
Gary Russell 1 Yard Run (Jeff Reed Kick is Good) Drive info: 11 plays, 69 yds, 7:12
Cardinals Get on the Board
Ben Patrick 1 Yard Pass From Kurt Warner (Neil Rackers Kick is Good) Drive info: 9 plays, 83 yds, 5:27
3rd and 22, Cardinals Call TimeoutMore commercials... E-Trade ad with not one, but two babies talking.
Edgerrin James Blows it
On 3rd and 22, James drops a pass that could be the difference between a punt and a FG. By dropping the ball, it's a punt.
More Commercials...
Disney/Pixar's "Up, more comedy with Bud Light ski ad.
Cardinals Tip Pass. Get INT
Cards take over with 2 min. to go. Hightower gets huge 3rd down run for a 1st. More Commercials... Cheetos ad with yappy girl on cellphone, gal at other table throws Cheetos and pigeons land on table. On 3rd and 22, James drops a pass that could be the difference between a punt and a FG. By dropping the ball, it's a punt.
With 18 Sec. in the Half, Cardinals get 1st Down
The Cardinals could be up going in at halftime. With 18 sec. they get a 1st down
WOW! Longest Play in Super Bowl History - 101 Yard Interception by James Harrison for TD
Steelers Score!!! I can't believe what I just saw. Instead of seeing the Cardinals up 14-10, a huge interception in the Cardinals end zone by James Harrison runs the ball all the way back for a Steelers' touchdown. Call is under review to see whether Harrison was tackled at the 1. If called back, it would be the end of the half, as opposed to a 10 point game. The play stands! Wow... 
James Harrison 101 Yard Interception Return (a record)
(Jeff Reed Kick is Good)
HALFTIMEAfter the play by Harrison, it will be hard to focus on Halftime... Commercials... 3D ads... Monster vs. Aliens, Sobe ad, "Chuck". Here comes Springsteen. 12 min set list was... - 10th Ave Freeze Out
- Born to Run
- Working On a Dream
- Glory Days
Not a huge Springsteen fan, but have to say that the production and energy of The Boss and the E Street Band was fantastic. Fireworks and giving the crowd flashlights was an incredible visual. How does Bruce end the set? "I'm going to Disneyland!" The Cardinals could be up going in at halftime. With 18 sec. they get a 1st down
Start of the Second Half
Cardinals take the ball and will try to quickly forget Harrison's 101 yard record TD run.
Was it a Forward Pass?
The Cardinals will most likely challenge this play. As Kurt Warner is getting sacked, he throws the ball forward. Only, the refs don't see it that way. They call it a fumble. The call is overturned... No timeout charges against the Cardinals. 4th down as opposed to a turnover.
More Commercials
Bud and the Clydesdales (again)... Disney's remake of Race to Witch Mountain with The Rock. The call is overturned... No timeout charges against the Cardinals. 4th down as opposed to a turnover.
Steelers Take Over
Steelers keep using plays with 4 wide receivers to one side. Ben goes for the audible on 3rd and 1, and passes to Hines Ward. So much for that injury. 1st down at mid-field. Instead of an intentional grounding after being pushed out of the pocket, it's a roughing the passer penalty on the Cardinals. The call is overturned... No timeout charges against the Cardinals. 4th down as opposed to a turnover.
Cardinals Killing Themselves (again) Willie Parker runs big. Steelers inside the 10. Now 3rd and goal. Ben throws ball away, but was out of the pocket. 4th down. FG unit comes on. Jeff Reed kicks the FG, and then there's a roughing the placeholder.Now, instead of a FG, it's 4 more chances to punch it in for a TD. The call is overturned... No timeout charges against the Cardinals. 4th down as opposed to a turnover.
Field Goal (Take 2)Jeff Reed comes back on after the Steelers are unable to punch it in with 4 more tries and inches the game closer to a blowout. 
End of the 3rd
The Cardinals have one quarter to get it together. Can they score 2 TDs and win it?
Cardinals Only Burn Just Over 3 Min. Score on All Passing Plays
The Cardinals make a game of it by going all to the air. Larry Fitzgerald 1 Yard Pass From Kurt Warner
(Neil Rackers Kick is Good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 87 yds, 3:57
Steelers Go 3 and Out
With 6:06 to go, the Cardinals take over after the Steelers go 3 and out. Drive info: 8 plays, 87 yds, 3:57
Ike Taylor Gives Cardinals Extra Yards
The Cardinals are going no huddle, 4 Wide receivers, and Ike Taylor gets hit for unnecessary roughness, and pushes the Cardinals forward with the first penalty against the Steelers in the second half. After a holding call against the Cardinals, it's 1st and 20.
Cardinals Can't Capitalize
Kurt Warner couldn't capitalize, and the Cardinals have to punt. Flags thrown. Steelers are pined against the goal line.
Holding Penalty on Hartwig in the End Zone Results in Cardinals Safety
Penalty on Justin Hartwig, Offensive Holding In Own End Zone
Larry Fitzgerald Breaks For Huge TD Run On the second play of possession after the Safety, Larry Fitzgerald catches the ball in the flat and runs for 64 yards to put the Cardinals on top for the first time in the game. 
Santonio Holmes Makes Huge Play. And then, makes the Most Incredible TD
There's was 43 second left in the game after Santonio Holmes caught and ran for a huge play. Then, he comes back with 3 man coverage, and catches in the ball in the corner of the endzone with a toetap catch. An unreal play. Simply unreal game. Santonio Holmes 6 Yard Pass From Ben Roethlisberger (Jeff Reed Kick is Good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 78 yds, 2:02
FINAL - STEELERS WIN
Was it a Fumble? No, Says Replay Judge. Steelers Win 6th Super Bowl Championship! 
Kurt Warner fumbles on the last play of the game. It was a questionable play with Warner's arm in motion. Replay judge ruled that his arm was not moving forward, and therefore, when the Steelers recovered the ball, it ends the game. It was a game that was unexpected in some senses. It wound up being a classic in every sense. It had it all... big plays... heartbreaks and redemption. In a word, it was a fantastic game.
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GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!