ENGLEWOOD, Colo. –Nine states have had the honor of hosting a Super Bowl and just 11 Super Bowls have been played in states not named Florida, California or Louisiana.
Of those 11 games, just four were played in cities in northern states – Michigan (twice), Minnesota and Indiana. And of course, each of those games was played indoors.
This year, at Super Bowl XLVIII, the game will be played outside in the cold weather for the first time. But the Broncos are no strangers to cold weather.
"We've practiced in this and had to play in these types of conditions at different points in the year," quarterback Peyton Manning said. "So, any time you can have a similar situation you can simulate during practice which it might be during a game, it always is a good thing. Whether it is situational, two-minute situation, weather, whatever it is—it's always a good thing."
Wednesday night, about three inches of snow fell at Dove Valley and the high for Thursday was 25 degrees.
The Broncos practiced in the cold weather several times during the regular season and only once did they move indoors for a practice session.
On Dec. 8, the Broncos squared off with the Titans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High and the wind chill was listed at 11 degrees. Not only did the Broncos win that game, kicker Matt Prater broke the NFL record for longest made field goal.
"The Denver Broncos, we're definitely weatherproof," tackle Orlando Franklin said. "We live in a cold city. It snowed last night. We were outside for practice today. We definitely are used to a lot of different things being that we live here in Denver, Colorado."
The early predictions for Super Bowl Sunday are calling for a cold day with a small chance of precipitation.
"It's New York in February — it'll be cold," linebacker Nate Irving said. "That is all I need to know."
Whether it's cold and snowing or hot and dry – though that's less likely – the world championship will be on the line either way. The winner will lift the Lombardi Trophy and so the game, not the weather, is the focus right now.
"I'm just happy to be in the Super Bowl," cornerback Tony Carter said. "I wouldn't care if we played wherever. Both teams have to play in this weather, whether it's cold or it's not. We're just excited to be in this game."
