Tampa bid wins Super Bowl XLIII

Thursday, May 26, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

A few minutes after Tampa, Fla., was awarded the 2009 Super Bowl, the city's mayor held a joyous news conference Wednesday. Down the hall, the mood was more somber, with officials from Atlanta, Houston and South Florida lamenting the news that their bids had been rejected.

It was almost like watching the aftermath of an NFL game, joy on one side and disappointment on the other. In a mild upset on the final day of the league's spring meetings, Tampa prevailed, although Houston and Atlanta were viewed as co-favorites.

Tampa becomes the latest city in the Super Bowl rotation, joining Detroit (2006), Miami (2007) and Glendale, Ariz. (2008). New York has been awarded the 2010 Super Bowl, but that is contingent on the Jets' ability to build a proposed new stadium on Manhattan's Far West Side, a plan that is meeting strong opposition from political leaders.

With Jacksonville, Fla., having been host to the Super Bowl in February, and Miami scheduled for 2007, it was widely believed that the owners would vote against holding the game in Florida three times in a five-year span.

But never underestimate the power of warm weather.

Tampa has already been host to three Super Bowls, most recently in 2001, and its committee's presentation swayed the owners.

"We have a city that's crazy about sports, and the corporate community is behind it all the way," said Tampa's mayor, Pam Iorio.

Rice agreed to come to Denver even though coach Mike Shanahan has told him his place on the roster is not guaranteed.

"It worked out perfect with Mike in the conversation we had," Rice said. "He is not rolling out the red carpet. I have always had to compete for a job and that's the way I prefer it. I have always had to prove myself and this is nothing new."

Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, said there are compelling reasons Rice wants to play a 21st season in the NFL.

"What drives Jerry is his love for the game and the passion that still burns in his gut," Steiner said. "And he has a passion not just for playing, but for winning. He wanted to play for a contending team like the Broncos. Plus, he thinks that coach Shanahan knows how to use him better than any coach in the league."

For these three Eagles, rookie training camp was a chance to show they are recovered from injuries that cost them a shot at playing in the Super Bowl.

"I know I need this camp and the next camp so I can knock the rust off and go into training camp at full speed," he said. "Tomorrow, I'm going to think less about my knee, the next day I'm going to think even less and hopefully by the time we go to training camp it won't even be a thought in my mind."

Warner, 33, signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Cardinals in March.

Green, whose team begins official workouts next week, said Warner's experience earned him the starting job over Josh McCown and Shaun King. McCown started 13 games for Arizona last season.