The Raiders' Rich Gannon is quite nimble for a quarterback, but nobody runs the sneak more effectively than Dion Rich. The 73-year-old gives new meaning to the term free spirit. He's attended 33 Super Bowls — all without a ticket.
What Jerry Rice is to receiving, what Joe Theismann is to hyperbole, what chili is to air pollution, Dion Rich is to gate-crashing.
Despite increasingly tight security and the NFL's keen awareness of his mission, Rich has his sights set on sneaking into Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego on Sunday. You can bet against the Raiders, you can bet against the Bucs, but don't bet against Rich.
Last year, Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly followed Rich in his quest to bust into the first Super Bowl since 9/11. It took him six minutes. People have been known to watch the UPN network for longer than that.
After the NFL threatened him with jail time, Rich no longer seeks to be part of the action, like when he stood on the podium to help the Packers receive the first-ever Super Bowl trophy, or when he helped carry Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry off the field after Super Bowl XII (pictured). A complimentary, live view of America's biggest sporting event will suffice.
For this guy, there really is no such thing as a free lunch. That's not even worth his time.
Other Super Bowl Links:
Grading the Super Bowls — Eric Neel rates all previous 36 contests from A+ ( Rams over Titans, XXXIV) to F (Colts over Cowboys, V). Three of the last five have been quite good. Let's hope the trend continues, Warren Sapp loses and I'm not so drunk I have to call in sick this year.
Twinkie Killa — A site dedicated to all things anti-Warren Sapp, who suffers from an acute case of diarrhea of the mouth.
Dr. Z.'s Forecast — The only writer whose predictions carry weight with me picks the Raiders to win and the Bucs to cover. Also see his positional analysis.
Prisco: Gruden Only Worth Price if Bucs Win — I disagree, believing that the Bucs have already gotten their money's worth (four high draft picks and $8 million) for coach Jon Gruden. He took them out of company with seven other franchises who have never made the Super Bowl (Cleveland, Detroit and New Orleans the most prominent). Each one of those clubs would pony up the same if it guaranteed them a Super Bowl berth.
Absolute genius. I love a guy like this, just getting away with some harmless fun simply for the thrill of it. I've slipped into some concerts for free in my day (almost anyone can a crash a concert in the Polo Field in Golden Gate Park) and it gives you a look-ma-top-of-the-world feeling as you walk around, knowing just about everyone else paid (usually an exorbitant amount) to enjoy what you're getting for free.
Posted by TTman at January 24, 2003 4:22 PM