Game 38: Gerald Ford vs. Super Bowl XXXVIII

In 1974, Gerald Ford and the stunt of streaking gained prominence in America. Both phenomena were, in no small way, products of the media. The media had brought down Richard Nixon, whose cover-up of the Watergate scandal was exposed by enterprising news reporters, forcing him to resign in '74 and leave the nation's highest office to Ford, the only U.S. president never to be elected as either a President or Vice President. Streaking -- running in public naked -- became an outrageous fad in 1974 and was covered everywhere in the news, which was the main reason people did it. That year Ray Stevens scored a Billboard number one hit with "The Streak," a novelty song whose final verse included a fake news report about some indecent exposure during halftime at the basketball playoffs. 

It is not well remembered that there was a streaker during halftime at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. A British guy named Mark Roberts sneaked onto the field disguised as a referee, stripped down to a thong, and ran around until Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham tackled him. What we most remember about the game of course (sadly, because it was a crazy-good game) is Janet Jackson's tawdry "wardrobe malfunction" during the official halftime show. Mr. Roberts' run in the buff came after Jackson's act. What a bad day to streak!  Next to Jackson's choreographed display, his act seemed even more rinky-dink than already it was.

What had happened between 1974 and 2004? The world changed. Rinky-dink went pro. Corporate entertainment and nonstop media became pervasive. Our entertainment options were exploding, forcing even the NFL to work to keep our attention. And not just at halftime. By tweaking its rules year by year, the league figured out how to produce higher scoring, more evenly matched, more thrilling games. 

Super Bowl XXXVII was tremendous entertainment. Back and forth it went. The Patriots scored, then the Panthers...then Patriots, Panthers, Patriots, Panthers. The fourth quarter was unbelievable, with 37 points scored. QB Jake Delhomme led the Panthers to two TDs to take a 22-21 lead with 6:53 on the clock.  New England got the ball back and drove 68 yards for a touchdown -- a Tom Brady pass to Mike Vrabel -- plus a two point conversion: Patriots 29-22. With time ticking down, the Panthers punched back. Delhomme capped a drive with a TD pass to WR Ricky Proehl, making it 29-29 with 1:08 to play.

 Overtime? No, sir. Brady led the Pats inside Carolina's 30, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a 41-yard field goal to win the game as time ran out.

  Ford, himself a former football player, stands no chance of matching this classic. He pardoned Nixon, signed the Helsinki Accords to thaw the Cold War a bit.  He lost his job to Jimmy Carter, who comes up next in America Bowl. Can you feel the momentum turning? We're all tied up now.

Score after this match: Presidents 19, Super Bowls 19.


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