Me (far left) handing out towels at a fan rally in Houston, TX during the week leading up to Super Bowl LI. Photo by Keith Nordstrom.
As I have surpassed 2 decades working for an NFL team, I’ve become more reflective – especially about all the Super Bowls I’ve attended.
I’ll be upfront – 6 were great, 2 were not so great, and 1 was completely crushing, but all taught me valuable lessons and all gave me memories I will cherish for a lifetime. If there’s anything I’ve learned from working Super Bowls (and comic book conventions), it’s that no matter how slick the production, there are people you never see frantically running around behind-the-scenes holding everything together with duct tape and prayers.
Win or lose, those people are true champions.
People see working Super Bowls as glamorous, but even though I’m an Art Director, I don’t have a “that’s not my job” mentality. People who do, don’t really last long with our organization – or anywhere else for that matter. At Super Bowls especially, there’s so much that needs to be done you have to go into it with a “get ‘er done” attitude. I have folded t-shirts, worked fan rallies, hauled merchandise, packed swag bags, helped to check player family into their hotel rooms, heck – once I even assembled a treadmill. (Long story.)
So, ProTip: Never think something is beneath you or your skillset. Don’t say “That’s not my job,” but rather ask, “How can I help?” You will earn more respect, make more friends, learn new things, and gain more experience that way. And really, isn’t that what life is all about?