SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a similar vein as the halftime show growing into a larger production and cultural phenomenon year over year, each Super Bowl venue tries to outdo its predecessors with a signature — and typically outlandish — game day menu items.
At Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, that is hands-down the “LX Burger.” There is very little resembling a hamburger in the “LX,” a braised veal shank with a blue cheese sauce consisting of a Mire Poix demi-glace and Point Reyes blue fondue, served on a house-baked brioche bun.
The price is a staggering $180, with a recommended serving for four. By comparison, that price tag could also secure 18 hot dogs at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. But Bob Riley and his fellow Seahawks friend from Orange County plunked one down hours before kickoff on Sunday, he proclaimed with a smile, “We don’t care!”
The behemoth attracted onlookers and more picture requests than the various super fans roaming the concourse from either team.
“Oh my gosh, you got one of those?” inquired a Patriots fan from Texas.
After taking down about two-thirds of the “burger,” Bob and friend headed off — perhaps to wash it down with a $36 double tequila sunrise or $22.50 premium draft beer.
They left the rest to some curious Seahawks and Patriots fans who found a common zeal in finishing off the lamb shank.
–A smattering of players from both teams began to take the field about two hours before kickoff, under a blazing blue sky with a “real feel” temperature of 75 degrees. The forecast is for clouds to roll in and for the game-time temperature to be in the mid-60s.
Patriots rookie kicker Andy Borregales was among the first players out on the field. He was extremely accurate working the hash marks back from 35 to 50 yards without pads on.
Kicking into a slight breeze toward the north end zone, Borregales didn’t miss until tugging one left from 60 yards from the left hash. He then nailed a kick from 61 yards off the right hash.
Borregales then moved to midfield to attempt a pair of 60-yarders from between the hashes. The first missed right while the second came up just short of the crossbar.
On the other side of the field, Seahawks linemen went through pre-game blocking drills while the receiving group caught passes.
About 45 minutes later, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold took the field in uniform. He worked through light throws from 20 yards and in towards Seattle’s end zone on the south end. After dealing with an oblique injury throughout Seattle’s playoff run, Darnold practiced in full leading up to Super Bowl LX.
The Patriots were the first team to take the field in full uniform, just over an hour before kickoff.
The Seahawks joined three minutes later, greeted to a loud applause and chants of “Sea-Hawks!.” … There is a noticeably larger contingent of Seahawks fans in attendance, aided by the shorter travel distance and with Alaska, American and United airlines adding more direct flights from Seattle to the Bay Area leading up to the game
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
