Seahawks pumped up to keep Brady at bay
The New England Patriots head into SuperBowl XLIX in Glendale, Arizona, against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, under a storm cloud.
In the wake of their AFC Championship demolition of the Indianapolis Colts, the Patriots were discovered to have used under-inflated balls which broke NFL regulations.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDeflategate, as it has become known, has dominated the build-up to a SuperBowl that pits the top seeds from both conferences together.
An NFL investigation is underway, while Tom Brady – the future Hall of Fame quarterback and his equally legendary coach Bill Belichek – have been in the media’s firing line.
A story that might never get a definitive conclusion has overshadowed the build-up to what is a mouth-watering contest.
The Seahawks, with their ‘legion of boom’ defence are looking to win the SuperBowl for a second successive year following their humiliation of Denver in New York last year.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Patriots are seeking a first championship in 10 years and what would be a record fourth in the Brady-Belichek era.
Earlier in the day, and a little closer to home, the VarsityBowl between Leeds Carnegie – representing Leeds Beckett – and Leeds University Celtics takes place at West Park Leeds (1.30pm).
Part of the annual varsity festivities, the game pits two teams who are part of a 72-strong university gridiron league in Britain.
“It’s a sport on the rise and the numbers are increasing in terms of participation as well,” says Ben Smith, the Leeds University captain.