by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
I was flipping through the channels a few days ago when I noticed a Maybelline age-defying lotion commercial that reminded me of Super Bowl XL.
Let's face it. This year's big game featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Seattle Seahawks is about as attractive as those advertisements with 40-something-year-olds trying to sell wrinkle cream.
Sure, some of the Maybelline actresses are still lookers, but wouldn't you rather be staring at Jessica Alba or Angelina Jolie?
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It's the same concept with this season's Super Bowl. Both teams had solid years and play good football, but by no means are they the two most entertaining teams in the league. Neither franchise brings the kind of hype or flashy stars we've seen in past years.
The most appealing story without a doubt is Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis returning home to Detroit to try to get his first Super Bowl ring. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's bald head is a distant second.
Bettis, the 13-year NFL veteran, is so loved that some Steelers cried after last year's season-ending loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship. That's right, the tough, mean, men in black from the Steel City were reduced to tears because they believed the team blew the last chance to get the Bus to the Super Bowl.
When Bettis returned this season, albeit to a reduced role, many players promised they would get him to Detroit.
How can you not root for a guy like him? In the long list of running backs to ever suit up in the NFL, few have been better on the field or off. Bettis is fifth all-time in career rushing yards and has a reputation as one of the league's nicest guys and most valuable leaders.
I remember growing up watching Bettis in amazement. How could this guy, the size of a lineman, be that deceptively quick and elusive? Once he gets going, you are going to get run over, period. Sure, at 33, the Bus is well past his prime, but when the Steelers get near the goal line he is deadly. Plus, Bettis is much more fun to watch than Hasselbeck, who makes Terry Bradshaw look like he belongs in a hair band.
So without a doubt, Pittsburgh will ride the Bus to Super Bowl victory on Sunday. At least I hope so, because how boring would it be to watch Seattle win? Would Rogaine introduce a line of ads featuring Hasselbeck and his shiny dome to celebrate?
