Super Bowl

I was interested in American football from an early age, but the only coverage for years was a 10 minute highlights package covering the Superbowl on ITV World of Sport, once a year, squeezed in between the Horse racing and the Wrestling!

Even so, it always intrigued me.

So when channel 4 started coverage in the early 80's, within a show on a Sunday evening, showing a highlights package of the previous Sunday's games, I, like millions, was an avid viewer.

They showed the Superbowl live and having seen the Washington Redskins most weeks and seen them win the Superbowl I supported them in subsequent years.

Some of my mates from work, who were also into the sport decided, after a few years decided to have a party which for a number of years we took it in turn to host.

One of the main protagonists was Jozzer, who was more interested in the beverage part of the evening, but who chose the New York Giants has his team. If the game was a bit dull, which happens, Jozzer was always entertaining. (He was always the life and soule of any party)

In the early 90's some of us moved from Gloucester "up North", but Jozzer stayed, so it was a rare event for him to join us. After a few more years, the interest wained and it was back to watching alone.

I've not missed a Super Bowl in the 28 years that it's been covered, but it was more out of tradition than a massive interest, especially as the Redskins, despite becoming World Champions on a number of occasions, are now rubbish. How they can call it a World Championship is a bit of a joke, but they are Yanks after all!

I went to Jozzers funeral on Friday. He was 51 a few weeks ago. I saw friends I had not seen for 20 years and we all had stories to share about Joz. There were really good memories, he was that type of person.

He would have loved the chance to watch another Super Bowl, even more so as his favourite Group, the Who were playing the half time show! He would have been singin along at full pelt.

Super Bowl 44 was a good game as well!