In Boston, Dan Shaugnessy profiles Patriots Dir of Football & Head Coach Administration BERJ NAJARIAN, one of the "most powerful figures on the Boston sports landscape, yet most fans have never heard of him." He is a "behind the scenes guy who does not want anyone in the Patriots family to think he is seeking attention." Najarian's office in Gillette Stadium is adjoined to that of coach BILL BELICHICK, and Najarian "handles the logistics of Belichick's workday." He "decides who sits where on the team plane," and "doles out speaking gigs to assistant coaches if the Patriots are approached by corporations." He even "selects the music for practice." Najarian also "combs through all media coverage of the Patriots and decides what Bill needs to see and hear" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/1).
PATRIOTIC LIKE TOM BRADY: Rappers like DRAKE, KANYE WEST, FUTURE, RICK ROSS and EMINEM have all "rapped about" TOM BRADY and the Patriots. In a music genre "obsessed with success and competition, Brady is an avatar for excellence." Brady's name "started to pop-up in hip-hop" in the mid-to-late '00s after he already had three Super Bowl rings. Brady may not "carry the political/cultural gravitas" of Raiders RB MARSHAWN LYNCH or COLIN KAEPERNICK, but what he, Belichick and the team "share with most figures whose names pop up in rap lyrics is this: Everyone knows what you mean when you bring them up" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/1).
LOSE-LOSE SITUATION? In L.A., LZ Granderson writes it would be a "no-win situation" if MAROON 5 frontman ADAM LEVINE tries to "explain why he agreed to perform for an organization led by white men that essentially kicked out quarterback Colin Kaepernick for protesting police brutality in the black community." However, it may "behoove us all to take a moment to see what the group does with the platform before roundly denouncing them for accepting it" (LATIMES.com, 1/31). In DC, Sonia Rao writes under the header, "The Super Bowl Halftime Show Used To Be One Of Music's Biggest Gigs. Then Things Got Messy" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/1).
LEADING THE WAY: The NFL's first full-time female referee, SARAH THOMAS, on Wednesday "headlined an event in Atlanta focused on empowering women to work in the sports industry." The GladiatHers summit was hosted by Atlanta-based lawyer, entrepreneur and former collegiate athlete CECELIA TOWNES. The event "featured workshops focused on wellness, branding, leadership and building wealth and panel discussions" with female sports execs from Atlanta United, the Braves, Falcons, Super Bowl LIII planning committee and more. In her keynote speech, Thomas "told stories of her journey to the dozens of attendees while sprinkling in tips to pursuing a career in a male-dominated industry" (AJC.com, 1/31).
THE GOOD STUFF: The Patriots offered 7th-grade QB DEJAH RONDEAU a "one-of-a-kind championship experience" with Owner ROBERT KRAFT after learning of bullying she "faced in school for playing football." Rondeau was "invited to Patriot Place" in the days following the team's win over the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. During Rondeau's visit, Patriots WR JULIAN EDELMAN "came to play catch with her and gave her the ultimate gift every football fan desires: tickets to the Super Bowl" (PROVIDENCEJOURNAL.com, 1/31)....A number of NFL stars are "rewarding military veterans with trips to the Super Bowl" through USAA, including Cardinals WR LARRY FITZGERALD, Saints QB DREW BREES, Chiefs TE TRAVIS KELCE, Panthers RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, Vikings QB KIRK COUSINS, Broncos QB CASE KEENUM, Falcons coach DAN QUINN and former NFLer JOE THOMAS (AP, 1/31).
STILL A DRAW IN ATLANTA: MICHAEL VICK was "swarmed" by Falcons fans Thursday afternoon at the NFL shop inside the Georgia World Congress Center. Vick used the event to "hold an autograph session and hawk a new New Era cap." The line for Vick's signature was "several times longer" than the one for Giants RB SAQUON BARKLEY, who was signing nearby. Some fans "waited close to an hour" (AJC.com, 1/31).
