Super Bowl media day is unlike any other news conference at major sporting events.
There are the reporters from the cities of the two teams, along with outlets like ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated that cover the NFL on a regular basis. There are reporters from outlets like MTV and Comedy Central who are asking the off-the-wall question that will be replayed over and over again.
Eddie Pells of the Associated Press wrote, "It is, at best, entertainment disguised as journalism, though not all of its worthless or totally unmemorable."
For example, at Super Bowl XLII, Ines Gomez Mont, a reporter from TV Azteca, wore a wedding dress and asked New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to marry her.
There are the questions that border on ridiculous such as the one asked of Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams before Super Bowl XXII: "How long have you been a black quarterback?"
And while some players take pride in giving standard answers and not providing bulletin board material to the opposing teams, some players are willing to draw attention to themselves.
For example, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Ray Buchanan wore a silver-spiked dog collar before Super Bowl XXXIII emphasizing the fact the Falcons were underdogs. Buchanan also called Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe "Mr. Ed" after the horse in the 1960s TV show.
Two years ago, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver said he wouldn't accept an openly gay player in the locker room.
Today's event promises to be entertaining for two reasons. There is Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who has been fined $100,000 the past two years for not making himself available for interviews and when he does speak, he usually gives an answer to the extent of, "Thanks for asking."
Given Lynch's nature, some are interested to see if he risks another fine by not showing up.
Then there is New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, who normally doesn't offer much to say, but Saturday, called an impromptu press conference to address the Patriots role in the deflated-balls controversy.
Belichick said Saturday, "It's the last time I plan to talk about it."
Good luck in Belichick being able to avoid stories about "deflate gate" today.
Who knows what memorable sound bites come from today's event.
How did it start?
In the early years of the Super Bowl, reporters often went to players hotel to interview players. In fact, prior to Super Bowl III, Joe Namath chatted poolside with reporters to explain his guarantee that the New York Jets, who were an 18-point underdog, would upset the Baltimore Colts.
While Namath's guarantee made headlines, it didn't take become legendary until afterwards when the Jets upset the Colts 16-7.
By the early 1970s, the NFL decided to bring the players and coaches to a more official setting and by the early 1980s, the NFL named it Media Day.
Say nothing
Former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick made headlines in 2001 when he scolded the media for its refusal to let go of the murder charges that were dismissed against linebacker Ray Lewis.
"As much as you want to do this, we are not going to retry this. It's inappropriate and you're not qualified," Billick said.
Billick would later tell the media, "As I always said, I'll fill up your notebook, I'll give you the 30-second sound bite, but I'm not obligated to tell you anything."
Sports quiz:
What two players dressed up as reporters and asked silly questions before Super Bowl IX in 1975?
Answer: Fred Dryer and Lance Rentzel
Sports on 01/27/2015