GUAM SUPER FANS READY FOR SUPER BOWL

By Robert Balajadia

Guam NFL fans never miss the opportunity to represent their favorite team and no fan is ever more willing to represent their team if they make it to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLVII (48 – because Roman numerals make it look cooler) will feature the top seeded teams from both the AFC and NFC in the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. From those teams, fans from Guam took time to answer a few questions about the big game in hopes to watch their team raise that coveted Vince Lombardi trophy.

DENVER BRONCOS

Peyton Manning surprised everybody when he chose to head to Denver. The biggest question mark was his health, which he clearly put to rest in the past two seasons. The NFL veteran and future Hall of Famer immediately captured the hearts of Guam Broncos fans. The talented bunch of receivers turned into unstoppable forces of nature with Manning mann-ing (pun intended) the offense.

Guam’s Broncos fans know they are up against the number one defense in the league, but Manning’s presence has them more confident than ever!

Rick Nauta

How Long have you been a fan?
When I was a kid, 1978, I watched the Dallas Cowboys beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl. From January 1978 I went from a Cowboys fan to Broncos fan.

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
I have to say Champ Bailey. Been waiting 15 years for a Super Bowl and he’s one of my favorites because he’s been there. I blamed him for losing to Baltimore last year though.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
Not at all. I’m a realest. One thing I do recognize is every time I watch a game, a team record is set. There is always a record set in a Broncos game.

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
My son has the day off from school so I’m going to peel him with me to TGIF, but if not then I’m going to horse and cow to watch the game.

Why are the Broncos going to win the Super Bowl?
The Broncos are a team of destiny. I think they have had everything in place for the past two years and the key piece has been Peyton Manning. We’re one cheap shot away from being last place. Our offense is going to exploit their defense. They’ve got four good defensive backs, but they’ve got to cover seven different receivers.

James Terbio

How Long have you been a fan?
Since 1985-86. Around the first Super Bowl with “The Drive.” Was never really into football until the video games came out on John Madden football. I remembered watching “The Drive” and I just started following the team. I was fascinated with John Elway and you just kind of latch on to a team.

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
I always go quarterback. I’m a big Peyton Manning fan and admired him when he came here. I was hoping we would work our way to Andrew Luck, because he was in the same situation Elway was. I love that Welker is a part of the team, acquiring Champ Bailey a while back.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
I used to watch all the time when we were winning. I would try not to watch the game but instead look up the score. This last Chargers game I had the game on, but I was on my phone. I was sort of watching, but it wasn’t until something happened that I would watch the play. I also don’t wear Broncos gear during the game, but I will wear it any other time except for game time. I don’t know where that came from.

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
I haven’t really decided yet. A lot of people I know are Seattle fans and they live in Seattle. I do have invites from some 49ers fans to watch. If a team beats me then I want to lose to the champions.

Why are the Broncos going to win the Super Bowl?
The way they’ve been playing so far in the playoffs is the perfect formula. They score,but not too fast and they just take what the defense gives them. They just need to make sure they don’t tire out their defense. It’s not like the Seahawks are as explosive but we haven’t played a team this run oriented. We have a smart quarterback and he will manage the game. We can run the ball too so were not one dimensional.

Josephine Reyes

How Long have you been a fan?
I have been a Bronco fan since 1985.

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
I love them all, but if I have to choose one, it’s Peyton Manning (PFM). The X-Factor will be Champ Bailey.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
On game day, I get up brush my teeth with my Broncos toothbrush, put my Bronco gear on and the day begins. Maybe not funky, but it’s what I do.

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
I will be watching the game at home with family and friends with lots of food.

Why are the Broncos going to win the Super Bowl?
The Broncos will win the Super Bowl because our offense is unstoppable and will put up the numbers and our “under rated” Defense is going to hush everyone up.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

An overwhelming wave of Seahawks fans have taken over Guam. With a young quarterback like Russell Wilson who represents everything good about football, a dominant, and loud, defensive back in Richard Sherman who is everyones favorite villain, a beast named Marshawn Lynch who makes plays that make you lose your mind, and a Guam Sea Gals cheerleader in Pia Gillan, how are you not a fan?

A good bunch of the Seattle University students chimed in, thanks to Seattle correspondent Tiana Quitugua. GSPN has already featured super fans like Roque Martinez and, of course, Chamorrita cheerleader Pia Gillan, but the Seattle fan base is much larger than anyone anticipated. Something tells me the sales in Skittles are going to sky rocket to an all time high.

Gabe Leon Guerrero

How Long have you been a fan?
Since 83-84. Ive been a fan since I got Steve Largent’s (Seahawks legendary Wide Receiver) autograph back in 1983.

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
That’s a tough one. If I have to chose then I’m going to say Earl Thomas. The X-Factor might be Percy Harvin or even our Linebackers. I’m not worried about the deep ball.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
We have a 12 man flag that we raise like they do in the game. We all got our Seahawks socks that we wear and each time we wear them they win. I wear them to work regardless if they match or not.

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
I’m going to be at home with family. It’s also part of my superstition to drink a few beers and we’ll be doing that at home.

Why or how are the Seahawks going to win the Super Bowl?
I can talk a mean game, but this whole year I’ve taken the Russell Wilson approach. I’m sure the game is going to be emotional for the first few minutes, but if they can just hold it down and Russell can do his thing, I believe they will win. The running game for Denver will be their X-Factor. Both teams are confident, but humble at the same time. If you could just see how the players connect with the state then you will understand what I’m talking about. It’s not a swag feeling, it’s just confidence!

Tiana Quitugua

How long have you been a fan?
I’ve been a fan for four years.

Why are the Seahawks going to win the Super Bowl?
The Seahawks are going to win because they have amazing players, great uniforms and a crazy 12th man.

Gabrielle Bautista

How long have you been a fan?
I’ve been a fan for about four years, just as long as I’ve been living here. Plus, their uniforms are super nice!

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
My favorite player would have to be between Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman. Only because Marshawn is ridiculously huge and who would want to go up against him? And Richard Sherman because he’s so funny when he’s just smack talking on the field.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
Not really, but if it works and makes us win then sure!

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
I’m watching the game with a bunch of my close friends, pot-luck style!

Why are the Seahawks going to win the Super Bowl?
The Seahawks are going to win because they’re just a great team! The Legion of Boom and Beast Mode??? Good luck Broncos.

Dr. Felix Cabrera

How long have you been a fan?
Since I first visited Seattle in middle school. Loved them even more when I lived in Seattle from 1998-2008.

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
That’s just the thing, I don’t have a favorite player since they are so balanced. But if you want me to pick an X-factor then that’s easily going to be Percy Harvin who we are forgetting will be back. He’s going to have the game of his life and be named Super Bowl XLVIII MVP.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
I do have to put both my left sock and shoe on first on game day. The rest are made up during the game with what variables occur during good and bad plays.

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
Since I’ve moved to Guam I’ve gone where ever Ronnie Perez is hosting. On Monday that will be at Horse and Cow.

Why or how are the Seahawks going to win the Super Bowl?
Per above, Harvin is going to have a great game. On top of that, Manning is going to underestimate the height and speed of the LOB making uncharacteristic mistakes.

Jamie Plagman

How long have you been a fan?
I’ve been a hawks fan ever since Marshawn Lynch went Beast Mode and prancer danced 67 yards into the end zone for a touchdown against the Saints in the 2011 playoff game.

Who is your favorite player on the team and who’s going to be the X-factor?
My favorite player has to be Richard Sherman. Even before he pulled off the perfect defense against Crabtree and the 49ers, and his post game rant. The guy talks all day, everyday but he backs it all up and then some. He will definitely play a huge role in the Super Bowl against the Broncos.

Do you have any funky football superstitions?
Not too many weird superstitions but I like to eat some skittles and gushers for the boys before they step out onto the field, and of course gotta say a little prayer for the safety of all players on the field.

Where are you watching the big game and with who?
I’ll be watching the big game with the SoCal Guammies BBQ style! Red rice, ribs, finadene, shrimp patties, and some beer.

Why are the Seahawks going to win the Super Bowl?
Seahawks are gonna win the Super Bowl because they are just the best. 12th man stand up! Whoohoo!

Raina Taitingfong

How long have you been a fan?
I have been a Seahawks since my first game against the New Orleans saints in January 2011. That day Lynch became Beast Mode and we won against the reigning champions and since that moment there was no turning back. I was a Seahawk.