HOUSTON, 30 January 2004 — Former US President George Bush will be the New England Patriots’ lucky charm when they meet the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
In an interview with the NFL Network television station on Wednesday, Bush said the Patriots had won every game he had attended and that he would be among the 72,000-plus spectators at Reliant Stadium Sunday. “I was reminded of that by (Patriots owner) Bob Kraft,” Bush said about his contributions to New England’s success. “But (Panthers owner) Jerry Richardson is a friend too and I’m not sure I want him to hear that.
“The thing about this game is, you’ve got two great owners and you’ve got two great high-quality coaches.
“That sends a message way beyond the confines of the NFL in my opinion. It’s great for sport.” The interview with the former president took place under tight security at the George R Brown Convention Center, with the Secret Service in attendance.
While Bush, an avid football fan, will be at Sunday’s game, his son, US President George W. Bush, will not attend the Super Bowl, which has been declared a national security event.
“He’ll be watching...I’m confident he will,” said Bush Sr. “He’s a very knowledgeable sports fan particularly in baseball because he was a knowledgeable owner.”
The president, however, has been known to show up at events unexpectedly, surprising US troops with a visit to Iraq last Thanksgiving.
More than 5,000 law enforcement officers, Secret Service and security personnel will be deployed around Reliant Stadium on Sunday.
Air space around the stadium will also be restricted during a 12-hour period while the coast guard will patrol the Houston harbor.
Security has already been increased at the many refineries and chemical plants scattered along the Houston Ship Channel.
‘River City Relay’ Voted Play of the Year
It has become known as the “River City Relay” and it was voted NFL Play of the Year on Wednesday.
Chosen from 512 regular-season games, New Orleans’ dramatic last-second, 75-yard touchdown against Jacksonville Dec. 21 was deemed the most spectacular play in an announcement made during the build up to Sunday’s Super Bowl XXXVIII between New England and Carolina.
Trailing by a touchdown with six seconds remaining, Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks connected with Donte Stallworth on a 42-yard pass to trigger a wild sequence of events.
