Sure, the Superbowl had things like a secret Angry Bird golden egg code written on a crate, and offensive commercials, whether towards women or towards worthy causes that as it turns out, Groupon actually does support. (Thank you Mom 101 for letting us know.) Yes, I loved Fergie's sparkle-y jacket, and the other fun special-effects during the halftime show, even if the singing the entire evening leaved something to be desired. (Pretty-please learn the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner if you are lucky enough to be asked to perform it.) Of course the VW Darth Vader commercial took the cake.
But for me, this year's Super Bowl wasn't about who would win, but who I didn't want to win. You see, it is all about Family Honor. My uncle has the most Super Bowl Rings of anyone.
Yup, you read right. And no, he isn't a household name.
My uncle is a terrific guy, but he's not one to toot his own horn (as I'm giddy about doing now.) I have plenty of stories from when he was actively involved with the teams that brought him the bling, such as a memorable trip to the 49ers training camp - eating lunch alongside the likes of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice - and plenty of TV sightings of him and my cousins (one who served as "ball boy" in his youth.) And yes, my dad got to travel on one of the "team planes" to a few of the Super Bowls. And then there is the story about how one of my cousins was carjacked - but the thief was caught because he attempted to pawn the Super Bowl ring she had been wearing. (Note to thieves: those things are engraved with the person's name. Heh.)
Had the Steelers won, four additional people would have joined him in the Lord of the Rings title. But, since my husband's favorite team - THE PACKERS! - won, my uncle's record is safe for at least another year. As he says himself, "Everything gets broken, but it is just a matter of time. You don't know how long that will take." But thankfully that moment isn't in 2011.
Here's a little bit his local TV station ran on 2/2:
Thank you Uncle Neal for a lot of fabulous NFL memories! And hey, way to go Packers!
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Pic upper right from 9News.com; pic middle left is of my cousin modeling his father's rings.
