WHO TO ROOT FOR IN THE SUPER BOWL: A GUIDE FOR NON-FANS

So you're not a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and you're not an Arizona Cardinals fan, but you've been invited to a Super Bowl party and you need to know who to root for. Before you pick the Cardinals because you're a progressive and you love underdogs, consider a few facts...

Dan Rooney, the 76-year-old owner of the Steelers and a lifelong Republican, endorsed Obama and stumped for him, not just in Pennsylvania but in the surrounding swing states. He did so despite the fact that Obama's promise of increased taxes on the wealthy forced Rooney's family to restructure the ownership of the team.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is also a vocal Obama supporter. At a recent press conference he said, "Barack is selling hope. And I'm buying." Steelers players have spoken out about how they hope to win the Super Bowl in part because it would mean they would be the first championship sports team to visit Obama's White House.

The Cardinals' owners, on the other hand, are major Republican donors. Their donor history can be found on opensecrets.org, but to save you time:

The LA Times reports that team President William Bidwell and Vice President Michael Bidwell each gave $50,000 to Republicans this past election season. Politico adds that as fundraisers for McCain, they bundled upwards of $350,000 for the Republican presidential candidate.

Oh, and Arizona's bible-thumping quarterback Kurt Warner? He starred in an commercial opposing stem cell research in 2006.

Mull that over as you tip back your favorite adult beverage on Sunday evening. ☺

[Jonathan Blaque]




So there you have it. I'd also add the Steelers owner's Rooney Rule bringing more minority coaches into the league and the fact that those thousands of Terrible Towels you'll see being waved during the game are funding a school for kids with mental and physical disabilities.

Also, Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy are big fans, so you know a Steelers victory party > a Cardinals victory party.

Metallicat