Super Bowl Sunday is a day like no other single, one-game event in the world of sports.
I recently was asked to write some words of advice for the 50-plus person public relations staff assembled to handle the support work of the NFL media center for Super Bowl 50 during the week and on gameday.
This is my 28th Super Bowl.
The Broncos welcomed their families and closest friends to the final walkthrough of the year, setting foot on the turf at Levi's Stadium for the first time before Sunday. (photos by Eric Bakke unless otherwise noted)
I worked 21 for the NFL in addition to those with my team, the Denver Broncos, and I was co-captain of the media center group for 14 of those. This is my seventh with the Broncos, and now I am a consultant, so my role in these last two games has certainly been nothing like my role in the first five. Now I mostly write some columns, do some television and talk to a lot of old-time writers.
But I had some specific thoughts to impart to the younger staff members, and the following is what I wrote. I think everyone can apply some of this to any type of career.
Gameday at the Super Bowl has been one of the greatest days of my life, and many of my friendships were forged in this common bond.
What you are a part of today is a group dynamic like few others — all for one and one for all.
Be willing to listen, work hard, take direction, do anything, carry any box—I have little respect for those who shy away when the heavy lifting starts—and absolutely put your ego aside.
Today is one of those days when everyone is an intern, even if he or she is a vice president in normal life.
When it is over, you want to be thought of as that person who did not do the job but did more, did not stay until the end but stayed beyond the end, and then said, "Is there anything else I can do?"
You have a chance to be a part of a kinship you will remember and be proud of for many years.
But it is up to you.
