8B Tuesday. January 21. 1997 UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Super Bowl in New Orleans has promise of usual hijinks History shows anything goes in the Big Easy The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — Hang on, America. The Super Bowl is back in Partytown USA, a place where something strange almost always happens when the NFL drops anchor. Call it Delta Dementia, a sort of mystifying state of mind that takes over during Super Bowl week. It causes curfews to be broken, makes quarterbacks to act wacky and produces ominous whispers about drugs and gamblers. Maybe that's understandable with The French Quarter and Bourbon Street sitting in the middle of downtown, tantalizing visitors with everything from jazz to jambalaaya. And it's all just around the corner from the team hotels. 'Yall come and let your hair down. And if it gets in your eyes, well then put on a headband. That's what Jim McMahon did the last time he played in a New Orleans Super Bowl. McMahon, now Green Bay's almost invisible backup quarterback, was the high-profile starter for the Chicago Bears when they played New England in the 1986 game. He raised a flap by selling advertising space on his headband. When the league barred that, he responded with alternative messages, finally settling on "Hiroshi," a tribute to the Japanese acupuncturist the Bears imported to take his sore hip. Hiroshi Shirasashi's needles worked magic on McMahon's aches, allowing the quarterback to bend over during practice and moon a low-flying helicopter. McMahon also was the center of another commotion when he was quoted as using some uncomplimentary terms for the local citizenry. Only thing was, he never said any of it. The result was a Parcells expected to leave Patriots BOSTON — The Bill Parcels era with the New England Patriots, a four-year reign in which has taken the team from a 2-14 record to the Super Bowl, will end after Sunday's title game, according to a published report. The Associated Press In a story citing unidentified sources, Boston Globe writer Will McDonough said the situation between Parcells and Patriots owner Bob Kraft could end up in court. Parcells reportedly is being sought by the New York Jets to fill their coaching position. Before this season, Parcells asked to have the final year deleted from his five-year contract. Kraft agreed. Parecels consistently has refused to discuss his future, saying that he and Kraft would talk about it after the season. At a news conference Sunday night after the Patriots arrived in New Orleans, Parecels said his decision would not depend on the outcome of the Super Bowl. Parcells is expected to command a very lucrative Patriot offensive captain Bruce Armstrong said timing was everything in the free agent market, so Parcells will be the high guy on every team's wish list if he left. said Patriots offensive captain Bruce Armstrong. salary if he leaves the Patriots. "Whatever the top guy is getting, (Parcells) will be the new top guy." Armstrong said. After the Patriots beat Jacksonville in the AFC championship game, Kraft praised Parcells as the greatest coach in modern football history. Parcells, standing nearby, appeared touched. Robert Fraley, Parcells' agent, said he was headed to New England during the weekend to try to resolve the situation. Kraft canceled the meeting and sent him a letter saying that he would seek compensation from any NFL team that tried to sign Parcells after the Super Bowl. Kraft reportedly feels that language in the contract gives him first crack at keeping Parcells and that he can require Parcells to coach the Patriots next season for $1.3 million. Fraley said there was no contract provision requiring compensation and that his client was free to do whatever he wants in 1997. suspension for the local sportscaster who reported the story and even more new slogans for the headband merchants. The first New Orleans Super Bowl in 1970 was jolted by reports that Len Dawson had ties to a Detroit gambler. Like the McMahon affair, the story had no basis in fact and Dawson responded by being the game's MVP in a 23-7 victory over Minnesota. The Super Bowl is supposed to be in a warm-weather setting so the climate doesn't interfere with the game. New Orleans, though, has occasionally challenged that premise. The coldest game in the series was played at Tulane Stadium in 1972 when the thermometer barely nudged 40 degrees. Three years later, it was so frigid that fountains froze outside of the Pittsburgh Steelers' hotel. That was the last Super Bowl at Tulane, which was also the one that ignited Pittsburgh's run of four championships in six years. Two of Denver's four Super Bowl losses occurred in New Orleans, including a 55-10 embarrassment against San Francisco in 1990, the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history. Game week that year was jolted by a TV report questioning the NFL's drug-testing program, the first crisis in the administration of new commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Not long afterward, the league overhaul its testing procedures. In 1981, with the U.S. hostages released by Iran just days before the game, a welcome-home yellow ribbon was wrapped around the Superdome. Oakland defeated Philadelphia 27-10 that day, thanks in no small part to the week-long efforts of the late John Matuszak, then play ing defensive end for the Raiders. Coaches have always been wary of the temptations of this town. Lucky for the Raiders they had The Tooz enforcing curfew. "This is a big party week, but we're not here for partying," Matuszak explained. "If any of the younger guys want to go out, they'll have to go through The Tooz. I'm personally going to see to it there's no monkey business." In the French Quarter. Then the self-appointed sergeant-at-arms — and legs, thighs, shoulders, etc. — took up his station. At 3 a.m. Dancing It was Wednesday, Matuszak explained. "Wednesday is the Theoz's night out," he said. "I am the enforcer. That's why I was out on the streets — to make sure no one else was." The Associated Press Packers focused, but will have fun in Creole country NEW ORLEANS — Mike Holmgren's pep talk to the Green Bay Packers as they flew south for Super Bowl week was simple: Have fun, stay focused and then put the finishing touches on one heck of a season. The Packers coach, who won two titles as an assistant in San Francisco before coming to Green Bay five years ago, stressed that the club's first journey to the Super Bowl since 1968 wasn't all about business. "We talked a lot about it. I have some experience. We only have a couple of players, Doeb Beeb and Jim McMahon who have been in Super Bowls," Holmgren said. "We have a pretty mature team, I think, and good leadership on the team, and they want to finish what they started. "And so I'm not going to be a policeman down here," he said. "I want them to enjoy the experience. I want their families to enjoy the experience. And then I want them to do it all. We still have a game to play." Defensive end Sean Jones said that enjoying his trip was essential. "That's part of the drill," he said. "Hey, it's fun being here. Don't be just totally stonefaceed and go around acting like there's no enjoyment. Sure, enjoy it, but keep your focus." Holmgren said he wasn't going to denv his team its due. "While we won't lose sight of what our ultimate goal is, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the moment," he said. "You've got to enjoy the journey, all the way. It's been a long trip, all the way. We should." We've accomplished quite a bit already." Holmgren also gave his players an obvious reminder of the spoils of victory. On the charter to New Orleans, he wore his diamond-encrusted championship ring from the 1900 Super Bowl, when he was San Francisco's offensive coordinator and the 49ers defeated Denver 55-10. Also in New Orleans. "I put it on this morning, and I haven't worn it all season. I thought this would be a good time to wear it because we got this one in New Orleans," said Holmgren, who also has a ring from the '89 Suer Bowl. Free safety Eugene Robinson, one of several veterans on the team who is enjoying his first taste of the Super Bowl, said he's going to enjoy his stay by taking in many of the fine foods that New Orleans has to offer. "I'm eating everything down here," Robinson said. "I don't eat oysters, but I'm going to eat them just to say I ate oysters. Frog legs. I'm eating them. They got any rattlesnake? I'm eating that, too. I'm not going to worry about my diet. I'll just take some Pepto-Bismol." Tight end Mark Chmura said he doubted his teammates would hang out into the wee hours on Bourbon Street flirting with mischief. "I don't think so. I mean, we're going to have fun, just like any other team would, but we know where to draw the line," he said. "We know the reason we'd down here is to play a football game, not to treat it like a vacation and turn it into one big party." That would come only after a victory, split end Antonio Freeman said. "I think our approach has to be just as it has been all year. We'll focus at practice, and when practices and meetings are over, then it's time to have fun," he said. 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