Whitney Houston Dead At Age 48

by John Bena on Feb 11, 2012 6:33 PM MST in Strictly My Opinion

No, this isn't a pop-culture site. But sometimes events happen that transcend - especially when you are my age. Singer Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48. Why does this have anything to do with a sports blog? For me it was the Super Bowl in 1991, when the United States had just entered a war in the Persian Gulf. Tensions were running high - around the country and at the Super Bowl. Much like 9/11, 1991 saw Red, White and Blue everywhere. That day, Whitney Houston was selected to sing the Star Spangled Banner.

Here performance changed everything. Much like the NFL and the Super Bowl itself, everything around the big game has exploded since then - who sings the National Anthem at the Super Bowl is a big deal because of Houston's performance that day.

Her struggles since then - with drugs, alcohol and Bobby Brown - are well documented. That said, her voice was simply one of the best ever, and her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that day, at a time when American Pride was at an all-time high, was a thing of beauty.

RIP Whitney Houston. Here's hoping the demons that have plagued you will finally allow you to rest.

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I heard as well...very sad

RIP Whitney.

I am not interested in your exaggeration of reality. I am interested in reality itself.

by Horsepower on Feb 11, 2012 6:42 PM MST reply actions

I'd trade Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Britney, Nikki Minaj, and Taylor Swift

just to get Whitney back for 1 concert.

hcamhfcolanholanwsanvlaplayoffsljahnanlanvamwehpncwnwlnsuperbowlljcanlncnfjlhwvjdlvknhsglsjvscandiceswanepoelolkjmvpjaofchajhvajchajhflawhgak

Can you find the 'W' in this mess? Tebow can.

by Zac Man on Feb 11, 2012 7:21 PM MST reply actions 4 recs

as someone who has been brought up "forced" to listen too the aforementioned artists...

I logged in just to rec this… my has the music industry has fallen

by iP_OnB on Feb 11, 2012 7:30 PM MST up reply actions

*how

by iP_OnB on Feb 11, 2012 7:30 PM MST up reply actions

It would have to be the pre-crack whitney

although if Katy Perry did hers naked I would have to think about it.

by coloradoSportsguy on Feb 11, 2012 7:43 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs

it's night and day

how things changed for her

Brad James

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With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Feb 11, 2012 11:25 PM MST up reply actions

Awesome, as Always.

GB² = God bless and Go Broncos.

by bronco4ever15 on Feb 11, 2012 7:51 PM MST up reply actions

Very, very sad

I remember her singing that like it was yesterday. That was the best version of the Star Spangled Banner ever.

Floyd Little: HOF Class of 2010.

2009-10 back-to-back NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009-10 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Feb 11, 2012 7:24 PM MST reply actions

R.I.P Whitney

You will be missed. I hope have found peace

Never, Never, Never Quit - Winston Churchill
Talent is God given: Be Humble. Fame is Man given: Be Thankful. Conceit is Self given: Be Careful. - John Wooden

by Brandon Gilchrist on Feb 11, 2012 7:25 PM MST reply actions

RIP

by H-bizzle on Feb 11, 2012 7:56 PM MST reply actions

RIP

She’s past my time, and all i really know about her, is her drug history. But RIP nonetheless

by Scotty Payne on Feb 11, 2012 8:03 PM MST reply actions

Great rendition

Can’t believe it was that long ago already. Rahim Moore was a year old.

by OrangeRhino on Feb 11, 2012 8:43 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Much love and respect, Whitney

And props to you, John, for recognizing the validity of the story and contextualizing it for this site.

She moved me in many ways with her music — some of which I was not even aware of until a few moments after reading about her death. I always had a strong feeling she’d be back. She had to be. She had too much to offer. But sometimes it doesn’t work that way. Sometimes people burn once, incredibly bright, and that’s it.

It’s a great and sad reminder of the need to live in the present and appreciate this moment — it’s all any of us have, from celebrity superstar to “common” fan.

" I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing," Darth Vader.

by broncomack on Feb 11, 2012 9:07 PM MST reply actions

Just say NO kids.

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Feb 11, 2012 10:38 PM MST reply actions

I remember this very well! Thanks for bringing back a great memory!

Whitney was an amazing performer—what a talent, a beautiful woman that somehow stepped off the road and got lost………….sure hope she died with complete peace…I’m sure msm will be telling us all about it for days to come!
Thanks for sharing the thoughts and video, John!

by Tim4Tebow on Feb 11, 2012 10:42 PM MST reply actions

My first crush

I was 6 or 7, nevertheless, I know she’s in a better place!

Brad James

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 11, 2012 11:25 PM MST reply actions

Whitney never acted slutty

she didn’t have to because she could sing, enough of the superficial bimbos like Brittney Spears

Brad James

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 11, 2012 11:33 PM MST reply actions

Wow! What a fabulous voice!

She clearly sang it with joy and conviction.

The whole drug thing is so sad. To think what she might have been without drugs and Bobby Brown.

by bill2975 on Feb 12, 2012 12:09 AM MST reply actions

Her singing was so effortless

Which was in contrast to the rest of her life. RIP Whitney Houston. My teenage years were filled with your songs…

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Feb 12, 2012 1:29 AM MST reply actions

I've been a very good singer all my life....She was brilliant.

I still consider her to have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever enjoyed listening to. “I will always love you” is one of the best vocal performances ever. I’m not a ballad guy generally, but that one rocks!

Her story is the dark side of pop culture and celebrity. I feel sorry for anyone who has the Paparazzi trailing them for years on end….just waiting for a meltdown moment.

RIP Ms. Houston.

I am not a number....I am a free man! (Iron Maiden)

by Broncotodd on Feb 12, 2012 7:01 AM MST reply actions