NFL legends discuss Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, past game day experiences

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Three NFL legends were spotted in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl LVIII and discussed preparations for the big game all while reflecting on their personal experiences during Super Bowl games of the past.

Former NFL football linebacker and coach Bill Cowher’s career has taken him to the Super Bowl twice as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time, he is in Las Vegas as a CBS NFL analyst for the big game.

Phil Simms was a former quarterback for the New York Giants and was also named MVP of Super Bowl XXI. Simms is currently a sportscaster for the CBS network.

Former NFL St. Louis Rams running back and Las Vegas native Steven Jackson played for 12 seasons and currently works with the NFL Legends Community and small businesses in the Las Vegas community.

All three spoke with 8 News Now Chief Investigator George Knapp, regarding Las Vegas’ transformation in the sports industry and some football strategy as game day approached.

Cowher highlighted the enormous growth the city has taken on in the past few years.

“I think the fact that 20 years ago you didn’t have a professional sports team but now you have a football team, a hockey team, a girls basketball team, a baseball team coming, it’s becoming a sports town, it’s an event space, it’s a city of multiple of entertainment venues,” Cowher said. “Does it surprise me no, what surprises me is that it has taken this long.”

Knapp asked both Cowher about Simms their thoughts on the role the Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce will have on the game in the next few days.

“You have to disrupt the timing that they have, to me, that’s number one because they got a great feel for one another, I call it football telepathy they both are very good on the same page, particularly against zone defenses,” Cowher expressed. “Somehow you have to disrupt the timing there will be some degree of hesitation as to what he’s doing.”

Simms and Cowher both have experience with the intense pressure the spotlight of the Super Bowl can have on athletes and coaches. Both were asked what their own experiences when they participated.

Simms recalled the adrenaline rush the Super Bowl experience was for his team in 1986.

“We got there on a Sunday afternoon, and Monday we had practice, full pads and we had fights, no like for real, everybody was so hyped up that we were literally scrimmaging and we had to call the practice off, the coaches kept yelling ‘Quit this,'” Simms said. “By the time Friday before the Super Bowl comes you are done. We were done, I think halfway through that practice we just go ‘We are leaving it on the field.’ We were practicing so well I think it scared the coaches.”

It is the second time the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers have met up in a Super Bowl, previously meeting in Super Bowl LIV at the end of the 2019 season.

“They both come here with a degree of edginess and a degree of confidence that they have not had before,” Cowher said.

Meanwhile, Steven Jackson was born and raised in Las Vegas and has seen the growth the city has made in the sports world.

“For us to be able to host the Super Bowl is one of those things you just can’t believe it’s happening let alone to have a hometown team,” Jackson expressed. “I believe after Sunday the world will be put on notice, if they haven’t already we are the best entertainment capital of the world.”

Jackson was involved in helping the NFL prepare the city and businesses to get ready for the Super Bowl.

“I had a chance earlier in the month to talk to small business vendors. It’s going to be a big atmosphere for them to show off what they do best here in town,” Jackson added. “Our local minority businesses are up for the challenges.”

Jackson also discussed his thoughts on the current hometown team the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I’m really proud of what the team has done here. Antonio is going to be a great head coach I believe in the future,” he added.

Jackson also works with the NFL Legends Community which celebrates, educates, embraces, and connects all legends with each other, their former teams, and the league, according to its website.

The NFL Legends Community launched in 2013 and leads efforts across the country with a peer-to-peer model.

“We help people with mental health and career transition and to try to find a new passion in their career path. The community is all about peer-to-peer, guidance, and mentorship and we try to be there for one another as a brotherhood,” Jackson said.

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