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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jan 29, 2015
January 29, 2015
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Super Bowl food buffet update:
The countdown to the Super Bowl is on and millions of fans will be sucking down chips, dips and other goodies while watching the Patriots and Seahawks battle it out. One of the most popular items on the menu is guacamole, with 104-million-pounds of avocados being consumed this Sunday. Although it may taste delicious and provides healthy fats and vitamins, there's just one problem --it can be downright ugly when served!
Luckily, the foodies over at Epicurious discovered the secret to keeping guacamole green. Although people swear by leaving the pit inside, plastic wrap, lemon juice and cooking spray, the best results came straight from the tap! Yep, experts found the best approach is to pour the guac into a container with a tight-fitting lid, push out any air pockets, then pour one-half inch of warm water on top and refrigerate until serving time. Just pour the H20 out when it's party time, give it a stir and enjoy a beautiful app. (Lee)Super Bowl Poll:
It's a no-brainer why cities across America compete to host the Super Bowl --football fans converge and spend a ton of money during their visit. But a 2014 survey from the Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey finds football fans have MORE money to spend than many other sports.
According to LIGHT's poll of 800 adults:
--NFL football fans are more likely to earn $100,000 or more than non-football fans by 27 percent to 18 percent.
--45 percent of non-fans earn less than $75,000 a year, compared to 39 percent of football fans who earn the same amount.
--71 percent of football fans have attended some college or earned a four-year degree or better, compared to 62 percent of non-fans.
That all adds up to more disposable income to dispose of on football-related events. Other insights:
--Football fans are more likely to gamble, at 53 percent compared to 38 percent of non-football fans.
--Three-quarters of those polled have a favorite NFL team, including 83 percent of men and 68 percent of women. (Kaye)More Super Bowl:
The New England Patriots are favored by one-point according to Las Vegas sports' bets. As of Wednesday evening, 73 percent of the money bet so far is on the Patriots.
There have been eight back-to-back champions in Super Bowl history: the Green Bay Packers (Super Bowls I and II), Miami Dolphins (7 and 8), Pittsburgh Steelers (twice: 9 and 10 as well as 13 and 14), San Francisco 49ers (23 and 24), Dallas Cowboys (27 and 28) and... the most recently, the Patriots (38 and 39). (Lane)
The last time the Super Bowl was played in Glendale, AZ, the NE Patriots lost to the NY Giants (Super Bowl 42.) The NY win prevented the Patriots from enjoying the second perfect season with Championship in NFL history. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated Super Bowl winning team. (Lane)
Who's taking care of those footballs:
The Chicago Bears equipment staff will be handling the footballs throughout the game. The NFL traditionally use over 100 balls in the Super Bowl. A new ball comes in basically every play because they want to give the balls away to sponsors. (Lane)
While we're on the subject, "Deflate-gate" isn't the only scandal TOM BRADY has suffered through in his 37 years. Us Weekly reports his high school football coach, TOM MCKENZIE, dished that he was once stuffed in a locker by a teammate! Luckily, he had the key to get him out and describes the Patriots' quarterback as a "well-behaved," hard working, easygoing teen.
A new survey by Public Policy Polling shows that 41% of Americans believe New England cheated by underinflating footballs for the AFC Championship game. (Lee) -
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