by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Hours after pop sensation Jessica Simpson left the stage at Metropolitan Park last week as part of a nationally televised NFL Kickoff celebration, Heather Surface, communications director of the Super Bowl Host Committee, said her cell phone started ringing.
On the other end of the line was Brian McCarthy, NFL director of corporate communications.
“He called from Boston to tell us how impressed the NFL was with the event,” said Surface who, along with the NFL and the City’s Special Events Department, had been planning the free concert for over four months. “He said that overall, everything looked great and that Jacksonville came off very well.
“It was a wonderful feeling.”
McCarthy also recalls the conversation.
“Honestly, we couldn’t have been more delighted,” he said. “Jacksonville is clearly on an excellent path toward hosting the upcoming Super Bowl.
“Given the weather, we were very surprised by how enthusiastic and supportive the community was.”
Surface said Metro Park was “practically full.”
“It wasn’t to the point that we were turning people away, but there were a lot of people out there who didn’t budge even after it started to rain,” she said. “That’s amazing because, for a while, it was pouring, but our enthusiasm continued to shine through.
“Looking back, it was a good way to get things started and, after several years out of the national spotlight, a fantastic way to reintroduce Jacksonville to the rest of the country.”
Though pleased with the outcome, McCarthy said the league had no specific concerns prior to airing of the Simpson performance.
“None to speak of,” said McCarthy. “That’s mainly because we were familiar with the leadership of (Jaguars owner) Wayne Weaver and with how cooperative and accommodating Jacksonville can be. The event was an excellent display of how well the NFL, the City and the Host Committee can work together to accomplish a common goal.”“Jacksonville is in excellent shape as the countdown toward Feb. 6 continues.”