Super Bowl 50: How it was Covered

Cam Newton walked out of his post-game press conference, Peyton Manning has not yet announced his plans for next year, and Levi’s Stadium served some pretty disgusting vegan hot dogs. Here’s a look into how news outlets all around the country wrote about Super Bowl 50:

Cam Newton

• Newton gave media short answers before walking out of the post-game press conference.

• From a Charlotte Observer Panthers beat writer: Was Newton justified in his press conference behavior? 

• Between getting berated for celebrating too much when he wins and sulking too much when he loses, Cam Newton just can’t win in the eyes of the public.

• Bryan Graham comments on the underlying racial aspects of Newton’s criticisms.

• Newton dabbed and gave footballs to kids all season, but he’ll be remembered for pouting during his press conference, Eric Adelson writes.

Petyon Manning

• Manning didn’t commit to retiring immediately after the game, but at almost 40 years old, he would be crazy to play another season, says Christine Brennan.

• With no Manning retirement stories to read, Michael Weinreb comments on the lack of excitement and drama to end the Broncos’ night.

• How esteemed trainer Mackie Shilstone revived a 39-year-old NFL veteran for a Super Bowl victory.

• From Clark Kent to Superman: What’s next for the athlete who could finish his career with a perfect storybook ending?

Game Recaps

• ESPN highlights the top 10 reasons the Broncos pulled away with a victory.

• “The action was so slow, Beyonce outran it in her heels”: Mike Freeman writes that Super Bowl 50 will go down as one of the worst in NFL history.

• MMQB’s Andy Benoit on why the Broncos’ green-dog blitzing was the key to their win.

• Joe Posnanski and Michael Schur analyze the game between back and fourth discussions on the NFL’s sudden distaste for Roman numerals, Chris Martin feeling left out of the halftime show, and Peyton Manning’s “totally non-paid Budweiser advertisement.”

Beyond the Game 

• Vegan hot dogs were by far the cheapest food option in the stadium, but also the worst.

• Super Bowl viewership dropped in comparison to last year, but still ranks as the third most watched broadcast in the history of US television.

• Forget recaps of the actual game: Sports Illustrated takes a look at the winners and losers of the CBS broadcast itself.