Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


American Football Fans Flock to North Texas for Super Bowl 45

   Kane Farabaugh | Dallas, TX  February 03, 2011
   The  Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl
   XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas,

   The  Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl
   XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas,

   Each  year,  the two best teams in American football square off in the
   Super    Bowl,    the    final    match    of    the   season.    The
   internationally-televised  game draws hundreds of millions of viewers,
   easily  making it one of the most-watched events on television.  This
   year,  Super  Bowl  45, featuring the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh
   Steelers,  comes  to  North  Texas, where enthusiasm for the game runs
   high.   Despite ticket prices that stretch into the tens of thousands
   of  dollars,  the  Steelers and Packers draw on a loyal and passionate
   fan base from around the country
   With  their  yellow  so-called  âTerrible Towelsâ in hand, fans of the
   black  and  gold  have  helped propel the Steelers to a record 6 Super
   Bowl wins. Â
   Pittsburgh  defensive player Troy Polamalu, whose number 43 jersey had
   the most replica sales in the National Football League last year, says
   pride in his team is widespread.
   âThe  Steeler  emblem is worldwide,â he said. âWeâve seen the Terrible
   Towel  in  outer space.  We get so much support from fans wherever we
   travel.â
   Green  Bay  Packer  fans  have  their  roots  in  the  dairy  state of
   Wisconsin.   Many fans sport the foam âcheeseheadâ to show their team
   pride.   The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned team in
   professional  American  sports,  something  current  Quarterback Aaron
   Rodgers credits with their success.
   âThere  is no owner.  So a lot of the fans consider themselves owners
   and  personally  invested  -- a lot of them are personally invested in
   the  team,â  Rodgers  states. âItâs a college-like atmosphere in Green
   Bay.   Everywhere you go you see Green and Gold and itâs a first-name
   basis  and  thereâs  a  special  connection  there  thatâs always been
   between the players and fans.â
   Fans of both teams playing in Super Bowl 45 are braving unusually cold
   weather  and  icy  road conditions to be in North Texas, to experience
   one  of  the  most-watched,  and  most  expensive  sporting  events in
   America.

   Though  the  face  value  of tickets for this yearâs Super bowl ranges
   from  $600  to $1500, the only way to get them now is on the secondary
   market.   Prices are in the tens of thousands of dollars for the best
   seats, and event organizers are adding more seats and standing room to
   meet the demand.
   But itâs not only Packer and Steeler fans buying those tickets.
   "Football  is  king, has always been king, will always be king in this
   area,â Norm Hitzges said.
   Sports  radio  host  Norm  Hitzges  is on the air in Dallas, where the
   local  NFL  team, the Cowboys, is the most popular sports franchise in
   the  area.   Though  the  locals are disappointed the Cowboys are not
   playing, a Super Bowl hosted in their state is a welcome event.
   âIn Texas, football is a tradition.  People in this state grew up 30,
   40, 60 years ago.  Going to football, high school football, on Friday
   nights  in  Texas.   That  is  the  sport  here,â  Hitzges explains.Â
   âCollege  football  grew,  Pro  football  grew.   The  entire  sports
   tradition of this is based on football.â
   Players  who will take the field on Super Bowl Sunday admit the energy
   and  excitement  generated  by tens of thousands of screaming fans can
   help set the mood, and the pace of their performance.
   For  Pittsburgh  Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is playing in his
   third  Super  Bowl,  with an eye to giving the Steelers a record seven
   Super Bowl wins, the fans are why he plays the game.
   âPittsburgh  fans  are  the best in all of the sport.  I think thatâs
   why  this  game  is going to be so awesome.  Packer fans, I know they
   travel  and  they  are  passionate about their Packers.  Thatâs why I
   think  this is the ultimate game and the ultimate two teams playing in
   it,â Roethlisberger said.
   The  ultimate  game  will be played in the ultimate stadium: Arlington
   Texasâs  newly  built  $1.3-billion  Cowboy Stadium.  It could set an
   attendance  record.  Organizers say with added seats specifically for
   the Super Bowl, they are expecting a capacity crowd of 105,000 people.

.