Faces in the Crowd at Super Bowl XIV

Lover of old TV that I am, I continually sit amazed when watching old sporting events.  I notice the difference in shots, in graphics, and lack of commercials of course.  But the thing that hits me the most are the crowd shots.  Today's fan, those who decide to attend live pro events, usually sit with 1 or 2 pieces of officially licensed merchandise on themselves...sometimes more given the weather.  Finding someone NOT doing so these days is a rarity.  Yet go back in time, and you'll see much the opposite.  The people at the games were fans: their mere attendance alone the proof.

Since the 1979 Los Angeles Rams are the official team of Pacific Gold, I wanted to look back at their big moment in the sun: Super Bowl XIV.  It's been 35 years, and with the next Super Bowl upon us, why not take that look back in time to the crowd?

 (Seriously, does it get any more gold?)

CBS covered the game, and stayed relatively nuts and bolts on the coverage.  Post-play shots before the instant replay were usually of a player.  Occasionally, a very wide crowd shot where you can't make out anyone or anything in particular.  But every now and then,,,

Check out the front row: suits!  In 1980, no less.  New Jersey native (and Rams coach) Ray Malavasi gets "good luck" from Clifton, NJ.  And: only 1 Bradshaw jersey.

The Rams just intercepted Bradshaw, but as you can see from the men on the bottom right, this was not to their liking.  Hefty man in the brown shirt wearing shades while in the shade...because there are deals to be made no matter the time of day.

He woke up in the morning.  He checked his hair: perfect.  I'll probably have a drink or two at the game, he thought.  Maybe I'll even be on TV.  That would be cool, he reasoned, as he opened his closet.  Doesn't seem like a solid color day.  Seems like horizontal stripes.  Brown will do.

Steeler fans were easier to identify in these shots: plenty of black and gold.  Their noise, that of celebrating a 1st down, seems to mildly annoy those in front of them.  That, or they giving the grimace of "will you listen to the shit we've had to put up with all game long?"

I neglected to mention the other fun curio of old TV: the progress of technology.  Almost looks like two old IBM mice for headphones.  I think you have to wear a winter hat when wearing those, too: they likely weigh 5 pounds.

We're well into the 3rd quarter when we finally get the first Andy Sidaris "babe" shot of the game.  They're already ahead of the Urban Cowboy trend.  

I wanted to say so much about the expressions in this photo but the biggest thing is the timing: this was a crowd shot taken during a play.  At first I chalked this up to bad TV, but on second thought, it's so rare to see the crowd's reactions while something is happening...and not during a replay - during live TV.  Sure, most are mugging for the camera, but the man in the tan jacket has no need for it.  What's happening?  Everyone stop and...

After Pittsburgh won the game, the traditional celebration was modest.  No confetti; all in the locker room.  And once CBS cameras were moving, people tried to sneak in the shot.  But who would be flippant enough to just shove a microphone into Bradshaw's face when Musburger is interviewing him on national TV?

I mean...who is that egocentric to make himself part of...

Oh right, Sid Hartman.  Just getting a 1 on 1 interview with another close, personal friend.