Before Super Bowl XLIX

The Super Bowl is a cultural event. The week leading up to the big game often transforms the host city and unites the respective fan bases in the cities the teams come from. I traveled to the Phoenix area in advance of our hometown Seattle Seahawks taking the field against the New England Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday. These photos are some of what I saw leading up to the big game.

The Seahawks departed from Seattle and were given a sendoff by tens of thousands of fans. The departure almost felt like a victory parade.

Not long after the team departed Seattle, so did the fans.

The week in Phoenix really kicked off with the strange tradition of media day —an event where members of the media often end up being more of the story than the players. This year Seahawks star player Marshawn Lynch led the headlines.

“I’m just here so I don’t get fined,” became a buzzy phrase that Lynch said to those gathered just feet away during his media availability. A few of the times he said his now famous line, it seemed it was directed right into the lens of my camera.

Lynch is a player I have been photographing for many years. And many of us in the local press corp genuinely like and respect him. Much of the tension with Lynch and the media comes from his relationship with the national press corp and those that don’t regularly work with or try to understand him.

The Seahawks planned a fan rally at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. When an estimated 25,000 people showed up, the enthusiastic fans overwhelmed the one entry gate to the stadium. It took some of them hours to get into the stadium. Inside, fans watched replays of the incredible Seahawks season, saw performances by the the Sea Gals cheerleaders and got a treat when all members of the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor took to the stage.

The city of Phoenix, Glendale, and surrounding communities took on a party atmosphere in advance of the game.

Super Bowl week is also the backdrop for many sideshows. From the high-roller parties, to the Puppy Bowl, and a football-themed burlesque show, the game consumed the host community.

But eventually it all becomes about two teams, a Sunday afternoon, fierce competition, commercials, and a huge audience consuming every element of the Super Bowl. In my next post: Photos from the actual game.