Tagliabue secure in safety

By Jim McCabe, Globe Staff, 2/2/2002

EW ORLEANS - A member of the Bush family will be at tomorrow's Super Bowl, but it will be former president George Bush and not his son.

Addressing the media with his annual ''State of the NFL'' address, commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced that President George W. Bush, despite speculation to the contrary, ''will not be able to attend the game. His office advised us of that earlier this week.'' No sitting president has ever attended the Super Bowl, but Tagliabue confirmed George H.W. Bush will take part in the opening coin toss.

Downplaying any concerns that security was an issue, Tagliabue emphasized that everything was in order. The game has been designated a ''national security event,'' said Tagliabue, confirming that the Secret Service took over the lead, with assistance from the FBI, the NFL's security force, and local and state police.

''I have a very high degree of confidence that the security for this game will not only be unprecedented, but will be world-class, and very, very effective.''

Indeed, security has been extremely tight, with uniformed officers and metal detectors seemingly everywhere. However, ''there have been no credible threats,'' said Tagliabue, ''and we have an understanding and assurances from the FBI and the Secret Service that if there were such threats, they would be brought to our attention.''

Tagliabue touched on a number of other subjects in his 45-minute address, including:

The possibility of future Super Bowls being played in open-air stadiums in the north, specifically New York and Washington. ''We're looking hard at the possibility,'' he said, indicating he'd support such a move because strong business and political commitments could be counted on. Tagliabue added that a possible Super Bowl in New York wasn't contingent upon a new stadium being built on the West Side, that ''the game could be played at Giants Stadium.''

Randy Moss's comments earlier in the season, when the Vikings' receiver indicated he only played hard at certain times. Tagliabue didn't think the integrity of the game was being compromised. ''I think Randy Moss should be judged by his performance on the field and not by what he said of his performance on the field,'' he said.

Instant replay - Tagliabue was confident it would remain status quo. There is some sentiment that a coach, in possession of two challenges per game, shouldn't lose one if it proves successful. ''That has already been rejected,'' said Tagliabue. As to why coaches are limited to two challenges, Tagliabue said the league's policy is to not muddle the action with ''an undue number of replays and breaks in the game.''

Tagliabue introduced Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. ''He reaches out to help others in so many ways,'' said the commissioner.