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Bankers Life Pulses from Energy in Indianapolis
By: Ashley Peek
The energy at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is as electric as the atmosphere surrounding Indianapolis this week for Super Bowl festivities, but some of the faces in the crowd were slightly more known.
Many members of the New York Giants enjoyed their first NBA games of the year tonight as the Pacers defeated the New Jersey nets 106-99.
Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, Marion Manningham and Hakeem Nicks of the Giants sat front row as they enjoyed a great ballgame. The football players mentioned how they do not normally get the chance to take in professional basketball but loved the homey atmosphere of Indianapolis and Bankers Life.
Mike Epps, who will be headlining a show at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday February 2, said that Indianapolis is the place to be this week, and that if you are not here you are missing out.
“Indianapolis is on steroids,” Epps said
One NFL player in the sea of famous faces used to call Indiana his home, in a town slightly north of Indianapolis. Dustin Keller, a tight end for the New York Jets, is an alumnus of Purdue University. Keller said he was a fan of the Pacers while he was in town and enjoyed being able to take in an NBA game while he was in Indianapolis.
In a game where the players wore retro jerseys New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch reminisced on his past Super Bowl experiences, but focused on this one.
“Indianapolis embraced the Super Bowl well,” Branch said. “It’s just charming. Love. Everyone has welcomed us with open arms.”
And one person who can vouch for Indianapolis being a charming city is Pacers Head Coach Frank Vogel who started his tenure in this position a year ago today. Fans, and players alike, treat Vogel with the upmost respect and enjoy the success he is helping bring the Blue and Gold.
Another face in the crowd that is no stranger to success was ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski. Jaworski, who has played in a Super Bowl himself, spoke to us about the exciting atmosphere surrounding the Pacers and their season.
“No question about it the Pacers are a very good team,” Jaworski said. “And the crowd is into it, so that’s always a great thing.”
Jaworksi mentioned that he has traveled to Indianapolis many, many times and says now America will get a chance to see just how great the city is.
A city and state that will be thriving endlessly this next few days with Super Bowl hype, but in the end Indiana will always be known for its passion for basketball.