The Road to Super Bowl XXXV

Some just don't care about the big game Football fans might be surprised to know there were folks in the bay area who didn't share their gridiron enthusiasm. By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE © St. Petersburg Times, published January 29, 2001 TAMPA -- Jackie Agosto doesn't want to hear about the Super Bowl. Not now. Forget the hoopla and the celebrity watching and the endless stretch limos circling the city like moths to the flame. No, right now it's three hours before kickoff, and the laundry needs folding. And Agosto, eight months pregnant with the sore feet to prove it, is in a hurry to get it done before Super Bowl traffic makes the drive home impossible. It's going to be close. "I can't wait for this to be over so we can get our streets back," Agosto, 38, says Sunday afternoon as she folds a pair of faded jeans at a coin laundry at Armenia Avenue and W Tampa Bay Boulevard, a few miles from the cursed game. "The football people," she says, "need to go home." And so it was throughout the Tampa Bay area Sunday. Oh, sure, Raymond James Stadium was packed with the frenzied football faithful with thousands more trying to finagle a way into Super Bowl XXXV. But for others, it was just another Sunday. People like Caroline Strachan, 34, of Tampa, who volunteered to work Super Bowl night at Britan's, a British import and yogurt shop in north Tampa off Northdale Boulevard. Her boyfriend asked her to watch the game with him. But to her, football is a mystery she would rather not solve. "I couldn't even tell you who's playing," she said. "I know it's a football game and that I should avoid Dale Mabry. That's it." At Christ United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, finding the faithful was proving more difficult than at Raymond James. A half dozen people waited for a 7 p.m. service. Usually, 40 people show up. Minister Johnny Bartha was conducting the service. It was tough to go up against the big game. "How much can you hype a football game?" he asked. At Dale Mabry and Waters Avenue, Daniel Gilleard, 20, of Clearwater and Valerie Sergieff, 18, also of Clearwater sold rugs from a van. "I think it's kind of dumb," Sergieff said. "People get so excited about people playing football. They don't go out and do anything themselves. That's stupid. They should go out and participate in life." Sergieff had her own plans once darkness fell, and the pair rolled up their rugs for another day. She would watch Friends on TV. Football's uncool. - Staff writer Ed Quioco contributed to this report. Past 14 Days March 16, 2008 March 15, 2008 March 14, 2008 March 13, 2008 March 12, 2008 March 11, 2008 March 10, 2008 March 9, 2008 March 8, 2008 March 7, 2008 March 6, 2008 March 5, 2008 March 4, 2008 March 3, 2008 Search further back Today's Super Bowl story lineup The champions Rockin' Ravens MVP caps Lewis' strange journey 'We're the greatest of all-time' Q&A with Brian Billick Modell savors a Super year at last in a different city Ravens win doesn't improve Cleveland's mood I see your return, and raise you one Ravens defense stakes its claim Columns Mizell: Trent in land of wonder Shelton: Baltimore's defense leaves a lasting impact Fry: QB Collins should shoulder the blame Ginn: CBS' new replay system a look into the future Zucco; For some, it's the party, not the game Deggans: Pregame coverage lacked local images Auman: Third quarter tests Internet's immediacy Trigaux: Ads, not football, supreme in Super Schmooze XXXV The Giants Giants grasp for answers Q&A with Jim Fassel Postgame analysis Dungy a bit surprised by game's outcome Ravens rose on Giants' mistakes Inside the game Super Bowl XXXV by the numbers Breathtaking returns: Starks, Dixon, Lewis Sehorn coverage error leads to touchdown Look familiar? Defense gets ball, offense runs First quarter: Play by play First quarter: Best & worst Penalty negates a big play for the Giants Second quarter: Best & worst Second quarter: Play by play Third quarter: Play by play Third quarter: Best & worst Best 36 seconds in Super Bowl history Fourth quarter: Play by play Fourth Quarter: Key Play Fourth quarter: Best & worst Local impact Big game and week before it seen as win for bay area What they're saying: Stupidity rules the roads Beyond the sidelines Four bars' patrons quaff winnings of Bud Bowl Big crowds, big spenders Altruism? That's the (free) ticket Many avoid traffic nightmares Tickets stolen? Too bad Unusual musical pairings bring fire to day's festivities Area dancers show pregame joy, nerves Corporate America buys star execs ultimate party Some just don't care about the big game On Super Bowl Sunday, the party's anywhere Celebrity watch Brought to you by ...