Phoenix officials unveil centerpiece for downtown’s Super Bowl Central
Nov 10, 2014, 11:53 AM | Updated: Jan 28, 2015, 9:33 am
PHOENIX — The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and Visit Phoenix have brought a super-sized football to a city street corner to serve as the cornerstone for Super Bowl Central.
The enormous football at the corner of Central Avenue and Washington Street was unveiled Monday. The installation is almost 20 feet high, made of 7,000 pounds of steel, as well as wood and foam.
Jared Smith, with printing and banner company Blue Media of Tempe, designed the football, which took three weeks to build.
“There was some pressure with all these TV cameras on it (Monday) but overall we’re really happy with it. It took three weeks, six guys, 8-10 hours each day to finish it,” Smith said.
He had a big smile on his face seeing his work becoming a selfie-magnet at the unveiling.
“It’s just cool to come around the corner and see such a huge football,” he said. Smith isn’t sure what will become of the football after the Feb. 1 game.
“Maybe (taken) out to the Cardinals stadium,” he said.
Super Bowl Central will cover 12 blocks of downtown Phoenix and will be the hub of activities that includes concerts and a nightly fireworks show from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2015.