Super Bowl XLIV: Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints

It literally came down to the end as the final Sunday in NFL Football portrayed the final two teams from both the AFC and the NFC going face to face at the 44th annual Super Bowl that will be held once again in Miami. The Indianapolis Colts overtook the New York Jets in practically the whole second half of the game leaving the Jets scoreless at 17 to 30 towards the end of the final seconds. Quite possibly the most interesting and seriously fought out game to the end would have to be the final NFC Championship game between the Vikings and the Saints as both teams played their hearts out to the bitter end leaving only one victor. Interestingly enough, it was quite evident that the two teams that made it to the Super Bowl were the only two teams from both Conferences that held down an undefeated reign for continuous momentum until the Saints met the Cowboys and ironically when the Colts met the Jets for the first time during the regular season.

The AFC Championship game began as quickly as it ended. The Jets took the lead during the first half basically looking good into halftime. Mark Sanchez threw an amazing 80 yard pass to Braylon Edwards for their first touchdown during the opening minutes of the game. However, minutes before halftime, Peyton Manning throws an amazing reception to Austin Collie for a touchdown leaving the Colts trailing at a 13 to 17 score. When the second half commenced, we saw a totally different Colts team as Manning came back with a more serious, determined look on his face reassuring their win with an impressive 30 to 17 win. Playmakers of that game for Colts were Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and Peyton Manning. This will be the Colts fourth time making it to the Super Bowl.

The NFC Championship game was quite an impressive one from the beginning. Talk about a tied up game until the bitter end. Despite a painfully grueling game from the talented Brett Favre, who has said to have given his best year, this year, could not pull through. Vikings Adrian Peterson ran for a total of 122 yards and scored two touchdowns, however giving up two fumbles, adding to the 3 forced turnovers. Towards the end of the 4th quarter, a hurt Favre threw a questionable interception into the hands of Berrian, knowing that he had room to run for just a couple of more yards for a possible field goal that could of ended the game with a Vikings win, nevertheless, he threw the ball. The tension in that game continued to build with serious momentum. Everyone was actually anticipating this game since last week, knowing that it was to be an amazing toe to toe, head to head competition as both teams wanted it that bad. The Saints came in as the Underdog, but proved to the masses that they had what it took to make it. In overtime, the Saints pulled through and defeated the Vikings 31 to 28 with a final field goal giving them the final score. After 43 years in the franchise, the New Orleans Saints has finally made it to the Super Bowl. Playmakers of that game for the Saints were Reggie Bush, Jonathan Vilma, and Drew Brees.

As of now, Brett Favre has not stated whether or not he will retire. As he spoke to the media, he stated that he would consult it with his family before making any final decisions. Favre literally looked spent and mentally withdrawn during his final interview after the game.

Nevertheless, Indianapolis Colts will face off against the New Orleans Saints for Super Bowl XLVI to be held in Miami on Sunday, February 7, 2010. Before that game even comes around, for the first time in NFL history, the Pro Bowl will also be held in Miami a week before the Super Bowl.

On the real, this will be a guaranteed amazing game as both teams have been quite impressive since the beginning of the regular season. However, I put my money on the Colts. Manning’s experience and his team will definitely outmatch that of the Saints. Either way, we’ll just have to see what happens. Look for a Super Bowl review that Monday morning on my infamous On the Clock Report.

Hope for Haiti Now Telethon Huge Success

Even now, donations are continuing to pour in as the days pass after the most successful global telethon that aired on Friday. Numerous amounts of artists and mega Hollywood celebrities exhibited their humanitarian side providing their time all for one cause. Artists from across the industry in different genres provided their talents in performing and recording special tracks for the cause while Hollywood celebrities sat at the phones to assist in the collection of donations and speaking with the donors personally. Between Wyclef Jean, George Clooney, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and the other people that help organize such a huge benefit, they were amazing in their feats.

According to an announcement that aired on Saturday (January 15), ‘Hope for Haiti Now:’ A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief has raised more than $58 million to date — a new record for donations made by the general public through a disaster-relief telethon. Numbers were collected through donations made via phone, online and mobile, and does not include donations by corporations and large private donors, or iTunes sales figures, all of which has yet to be calculated thoroughly.

Lisa Paulsen, President & CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, spoke to the media about the collections stating that:

“The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with ‘Hope for Haiti Now,’ and the donations continue to come in — people can still contribute 24/7 via phone, Web and text.”

According to MTV, the ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ album is the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history and is currently the #1 iTunes album in 18 countries. The studio version of ‘Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour),’ the original track performed by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna is currently the #1 song on iTunes in 12 countries.

‘Hope for Haiti Now’ will continue to accept donations over the six months through:

Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org
Phone: 877-99-HAITI
Text: Text “GIVE” to 50555
Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation

1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700

Los Angeles, CA 90017

This telethon was literally amazing; there was no other way to put it. Between the support of the artists and celebrities and the victims that spoke upon the devastation, it gave the public an idea of how severe it was in Haiti for people that didn’t quite understand. It is amazing to see, that even in a recession, people can still come to together for one cause. The foundation will continue to accept donations for the next six months, so if you haven’t donated already, we ask that you do.

Video Performance of ‘Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)’

Here is the video clip of Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna performing ‘Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour).’ This is a phenomenal record, both Bono and Rihanna sound amazing going back and forth over a great composition: