Cannon Firing Line
Trippin' In Tampa
By By Ellis G. Cannon
PSR Publisher

Don't read too much into that headline, pal.

While there was fun to be at Super Bowl XLIII, and no work there approximated anything in the mills, it wasn't a picnic, either.

Rewarding, gratifying, satisfying-all that type of stuff-yes. Hanging out at the beach? Hardly.

Truth is, covering a Super Bowl is one of the big ones. It can be argued, particularly in Pittsburgh, that it is the biggest. That's a matter of preference and certainly there have been any number of events which merit consideration, whether it is a long Stanley Cup playoff run, U.S. Open or possibly a Final Four, which may be right around the corner.

What is indisputable is the Super Bowl is in its own class when it comes to its scale, nationally or internationally.

To put that in perspective, there was coverage at the Super Bowl about the coverage, particularly related to number of outlets providing it back home to those infamous football hotbeds - Japan and Mexico.

The Super Bowl is big. Not big because the Steelers are there, but big because the Super Bowl is big. It simply transcends societies-in contrast to "society"-and cultures. Nothing says it more garishly than Media Day, but that is by no means the only barometer.

So being involved is a big deal as well. While there is considerable time focusing on the game and details leading up to it, the reality is that needs to come from somewhere, or perhaps better stated, someone. And that, in some ways, is what's most memorable about a Super Bowl.

Make no mistake, particularly with the benefit of experience, it is a lot of fun. It is even more fun when you know the details and what to expect. But much of that comes less from how things play out on the field at the end of the experience, but rather, throughout - for two major reasons.

The most important is the responsibility that comes from delivering the information and insight back to Pittsburgh. Hopefully, that is not too self-absorbed an observation. It simply speaks of knowing the reason you are there and the value people put on it back home. Perhaps that comes from the days of listening to all the reports from Super Bowls in the 70's and may be outdated with constant news cycles, the Internet and so forth. But it's a responsibility that's real - and inspiring.

The second is the camaraderie with those similarly situated. There's an unmistakable bonding, particularly among those who share the above perspective. As much as it is gratifying to carry that out, it is as memorable to do so with others sharing that spirit.

So there you have it - why the biggest event is a big deal. Probably boring to a lot of you; certainly moving to me.

"Ellis Cannon's Sportsline Pittsburgh" airs weeknights from 6-8 p.m. on FM Newstalk 104.7. Ellis is also a regular contributor on "#1 Cochran Sports Showdown" aired Sundays at 11:35 p.m. on KDKA-TV.