/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60451821/512371660.jpg.0.jpg)
A few months back when I was bored and poking around on the internet, it dawned on me that I had never really watched the Super Bowl 50 Halftime performance. At the time, I was too busy hyperventilating into a brown paper sack and taking calls from my closest Broncos friends and family to digest game. Halftime show? Who cares? Right?
As the final months of my 30’s wind down, I have to say that I am not as hip to popular music as I once was. Beyonce? Sure. I know she’s a big deal, but I would be hard pressed to come up with a song of hers that I would call my favorite. Bruno Mars? I love to drive my wife crazy when she asks me who is currently playing on the radio by always responding that it’s Bruno Mars. I think for a brief window a few years back, I may have been right with every answer, but now it just bothers her. Hooray marriage! I do enjoy Coldplay, even though after a few songs they all sort of start to bleed together into a concentrated melancholy melange of wailing heartache.
Needless to say, I was surprised at how enjoyable the show was. Do yourself a favor and check it out! Beyonce and Bruno strutting around in their silly leather outfits can be a bit much, but the tribute to Whitney Houston and Prince in it are quite nice. Plus, there are some great old images of old Super Bowls in it as well. Totally worth the watch.
Unfortunately, the NFL and YouTube won’t let me embed the performance in this post, so you’ll have to click this ugly link instead. Yuck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9cUytejf1k
Not bad, right? So, what about the other Super Bowls that Denver won. Who were the performers for those?
Super Bowl XXXII was 40 Years of Mowtown featuring Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Martha Reeves, and The Temptations.
Super Bowl XXXIII featured Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Savion Glover, inexplicably introduced by E.T.
So what about the Super Bowls we don’t talk about. The ones Denver lost? Who performed in those?
Super Bowl XII against the Dallas Cowboys in New Orleans featured the Tyler Apache Belles drill team, Pete Fountain, and Al Hirt. I have no earthly idea who any of these performers are. Let’s just say that things have come a long way from their humble beginnings. Here is what’s most likely 8mm film without sound of some of the performance.
Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena was a Disney themed celebration of Hollywood with George Burns, Mickey Rooney, Southern California-area high school drill teams, and dancers. It’s pretty awful. Like monumentally bad.
Super Bowl XXII was the Radio City Music Hall Something Grand show with Chubby Checker, The Rockettes, San Diego State and USC Marching Bands.
Pete Fountain, Doug Kershaw, Irma Thomas headlined the Super Bowl XXIV halftime bill that was a New Orleans-style salute to the Peanuts (Charlie Brown) comic strip... because someone somewhere thought that was a good idea at one time. More importantly, other people in the room went along with the idea. Crazy.
Then there’s Super Bowl XLVIII in New York when the Broncos had already lost to the Seattle Seahawks. The prospect of Bruno Mars and a crushing defeat at the hands of our former division rival were kept me away from watching it. I was surprised to see that the Red Hot Chili Peppers also appeared. That wouldn’t have been half bad had I been able to watch it through my tears.
So there you have it. A comprehensive list of Halftime performances during the eight Denver Broncos Super Bowls. Thank goodness training camp starts next week... Let’s get back to football!
HORSE TRACKS
Mason's Mailbag: Taking a guess at some stats
How many touchdowns will Case Keenum throw? Mase makes a projection based on recent NFL trends.
Broncos training camp burning question: Who lines up at guard?
Ron Leary should man one spot -- most likely left guard. But right guard could be up for grabs with at least three contenders.
Case Keenum finally has a team of his own - Lamar Ledger
ENGLEWOOD — Undrafted, released three times and traded once as a pro.
Devontae Booker expected to start at RB in Week 1 vs. Seahawks
The third-year man is atop the team's tentative depth chart, because seniority rules.
Buy This 2008 Denver Broncos Smart Car Convertible — $6,500
Tailgate to Denver Broncos games (and save a bunch of money on gas) in this 2008 Smart Car convertible.
Mike Evans of Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives $11,000 to aid family of slain man
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans donated $11,000 to the family of Gregory Hill, who was shot and killed by a St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office deputy in 2014.
Jon Gruden vows to “find a way to get Khalil Mack back” – ProFootballTalk
MDS shared earlier this morning a quote from Raiders coach Jon Gruden regarding his awareness that the contract impasse with defensive end Khalil Mack "might be the toughest decision I have to figure out right now." During the same fan event on Saturday, Gruden vowed to get it figured out.
“No end game” for the anthem issue – ProFootballTalk
As the NFL and NFL Players Association negotiation a possible Anthem Policy 3.0, some in league circles realize that, no matter the current solution, the situation never will truly be solved. "There's no end game," a high-level employee with one of the NFL's teams told PFT over the weekend.
Giants sign Saquon Barkley – ProFootballTalk
The Giants won't have to worry about running back Saquon Barkley reporting late to his first NFL minicamp. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Barkley has agreed to his rookie deal with the team. Per Rapoport, the No. 2 overall pick's four-year contract is worth a fully guaranteed $31.
Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano dies at 56 – ProFootballTalk
Tony Sparano, the Vikings' offensive line coach and former head coach of the Dolphins and Raiders, has died at the age of 56. The Vikings announced Sparano's death on Sunday afternoon. KSTP reports that Sparano died this morning at his home.
Mike Zimmer: “I love Tony Sparano” – ProFootballTalk
Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano has died at the age of 56, less then a week before the opening of training camp. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and G.M. Rick Spielman have issued statements in the wake of Sparano's passing. "I love Tony Sparano," Zimmer said .
Titans put Kevin Dodd on “did not report” list – ProFootballTalk
As Titans players began reporting to training camp today, one player who was expected to show up did not. Titans linebacker Kevin Dodd was played on the "did not report" list, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.