Here in North Texas, we like things big. And, not just big, but Super. What started with the proposed Super Conducting Super Collider near Waxahachie goes all the way to the most-watched sporting event annually: the Super Bowl.
In 2007, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, then Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and then Dallas Mayor Laura Miller met with former NTC President Dan S. Petty to gain our help for an ambitious – and ultimately successful understanding – hosting Super Bowl XLV.
Being awarded the honor of hosting the game later that year kicked off a monumental regional collaborative effort. While the game was hosted at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington (now AT&T Stadium), 114 city leaders worked together to bring concerts and community events to their cities. The AFC Champs, Pittsburg Steelers, stayed in Fort Worth, and the NFC Champs, Green Bay Packers, stayed in Dallas.
And, while the collaboration across the region was outstanding, there was one person who wasn’t consulted.
Mother Nature.
In February 2011, North Texas got hit with a once-in-a-century winter wallop. A snow and ice storm hit the week before, with a follow up sleet storm just days before. And, while that definitely put a damper on some of the plans, it just made North Texans do what we do best – dig in, double down and pull off a spectacular showcase of our region.
A great game it was, with Christina Aguilera singing the national anthem, Cowboys great Deion Sanders doing the coin toss and a half-time show with the Black-Eyed Peas, Usher and Guns N’Roses guitarist Slash.
Green Bay Packers bested Pittsburgh 31-25 and came home with the Lombardi Trophy, but it’s safe to say that despite all that Mother Nature threw at us, North Texas came away the victor.
Fun Facts:
Mike McCarthy was a guest at AT&T Stadium as he coached the Green Bay Packers to victory. As the Dallas Cowboys head coach, he’s now a permanent resident.
Renowned pianist and hometown hero, Van Cliburn, performed one of his final concerts in one of the pre-Super Bowl events.