​I was flattered when the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee approached me late in 2009 to help construct and singularly author its prodigious Century in the Making project.

What started with 250 of the greatest moments in Texas football history -- high school, college and pro -- was whittled, thanks to fan and Internet voting, down to the Top 100 during the Super Bowl's stay in the metroplex. And the countdown from 100 to 1 climaxed last week with the release of the Top 10.

Of all the games and players and moments in the pigskin history of our state, there are 10 that stand out. The Hail Mary? Nope. Cowboys' back-to-back Super Bowls in the '90s? Sorry. Not even Masonic Home's 12 Mighty Mites, the Herschel Walker trade or TCU's undefeated season cracked a surprising -- but worthy -- Top 10.

Grab a blanket, pour some hot chocolate and sit a spell for a warm-n-fuzzy trip down memory lane.

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​At a record $3 million for 30 seconds, seemed like most of the Super Bowl XLV ads were cars and movies and Fox promos. As I watched a run-of-the-mill On The Border commercial, I had to wonder if those folks really see $3 million in increased chips 'n hot sauce 'n margaritas.

Doubtful.

Yesterday we were treated to the cliched crap featuring talking babies, animals, the obligatory guy getting hit in the nuts and everything from Joan Rivers to Kim Kardashian to an Old West roughneck singing Elton John.

One man's review ...

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I know Super Bowl XLV was all about Southern hospitality and all, but Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway may have went a tad far.

Gene Simmons getting a key to our city is one thing, but Michael Friggin' Vick? For what exactly?!

Meanwhile, our ol' pal Richard Hunter almost got an exclusive one-on-one with the convicted felon.

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​10. Can't believe I just watched Troy Polamalu play like Alan Ball. And James Harrison like Anthony Spencer. I know Harrison had a sack, but for the most part those playmakers were non-factors.

9. Biggest play of the game was Rashard Mendenhall's fumble at Green Bay's 36 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh had momentum and was seemingly driving to finally take the lead. That turnover, the last of three by the Steelers, changed the entire tenor and landscape of the game.

8. Down six. Two minutes left. One timeout. 87 yards out. I was totally preparing for Ben Roethlisberger to rescue another ugly performance with a scintillating finish. But that final drive was ... underwhelming. After one first down out to the 33, he threw three consecutive incompletions to end the game. Kinda deflating.

7. I know Pittsburgh lost, but the sweetest play of the game was the two-point conversion that pulled it within 28-25. Fake dive handoff, then Roethlisberger on an option left with a perfect pitch to Antwaan Randle El, who started the play in motion.

6. Hate the Steelers. Hate the Packers. Saving grace: Aaron Rodgers (who's hard to despise) has as many Super Bowl rings as Brett Favre (who's impossible to like).

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Richie Whitt

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In case you were wondering, yes, that is the Situation. Richie forwards this photo along from his broadcast table at Radio Row, where he no doubt was comparing abs. Why are we gazing upon the Situation? Well, he's in town for a "Super Super Weekend Kickoff Party" which began at 9 p.m. last night at BlackFinn American Saloon's Addison outpost! Don't know about you, but we couldn't get there fast enough. No thanks to the ice.

​10. Never really listened to Little Texas before last night's bash at Fair Park's Centennial Hall, but they do a pretty good rendition of KISS's "Detroit Rock City." Even Master of Ceremonies Gene Simmons was bobbing his head.

9. This just in: Nothing goes better with a cold shot of Jagermeister than a hot Jagermeister girl to serve it. I lost count at four. Or was it five?

8. Saw Tashard Choice and Sam Hurd and Randy White roaming around. Probably lots of others, but who knows? Centennial Hall is so big it was easy to get lost. Or to hide.

7. At the silent auction I bid on a framed, signed picture featuring the Seinfeld cast and co-creator Larry David. I crapped out when price headed north of $1,500. Wow.

6. There's something somehow therapeutic about losing $7,500 on a single hand of blackjack and laughing it off. Love me some Casino Night.

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​10. The House of Blues put on a pretty nifty show, but $30 for valet parking? I was as gouged as I was cold.

9. After gorging on sausage, blackened catfish, brisket, fajitas, beans-n-rice and then repeating the process, I will not be eating today.

8. I've never even met Baltimore radio guy Nasty Nestor Aparicio, but just from being in his presence this week I can totally see how the boys over 1310 AM The Ticket could have run-ins with him. He's just ... laughably ridiculous.

7. Sorry, but I don't get the Old 97s. Nice guys. Their music just doesn't move me. Certain I'm wrong here because most Dallasites love them.

6. Very cool to see Daryl Johnston and Michael Johnson on stage together. We have ice this week, but we also have star power.

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Brooklyn Decker? Meh.

​10. Though the NFL did its best to pamper the thousands of journalists at Tuesday's Media Day, it was still an uncomfortable experience out at Cowboys Stadium. Waiting for hyper-thorough security checks of bags and body. The 100-yard walk from security (which was conducted in a frozen tent) to the stadium. And then, the most entertaining part, the actual entrance to Cowboys Stadium. In one of those phenomenons I can't explain, entering a domed stadium creates this bizarro, backward pressure where if you open the door the air comes rushing into the building. Yesterday, combined with the north wind, this event turned into an overpowering jet stream. So when you opened the door it was easy to lose your balance lurching forward, not unlike the awkward movement when you come to the end of those moving sidewalks at the airport. Saw more than a few unsuspecting media actually fall and spill. Tried not to giggle, but I lost that battle.

9. There isn't a cockier guy on this planet than Deion Sanders.

8. There's a guy working security at Cowboys Stadium during the Super Bowl who looks exactly like Jesse Holley. I double-taked, and I saw at least two other local media-types do the same. Well, there is a lockout looming.

7. Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is a funny dude, and it's not just the epic beard that makes him look like the old Minnesota Vikings' mascot. Asked about the most common misconception about him, he said "Contrary to reports, I do not take beard-enhancing drugs."

6. Saw a guy dressed up as some sort of superhero: tights, mask, etc. When I asked him what he was saving he responded: "Everything." Lame. Turns out he was with Petsmart or the Disney Channel or something. He was so underwhelming I forgot.

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All photos by Richie Whitt

​It's damn, damn cold out there, but Super Bowl XLV Media Day continued on this morning as promised.

Richie will be along later with more observations from Media Day, but in the meantime he's forwarded a few photos to give y'all a glimpse of the happenings. Make the jump for the rest of Richie's snaps. More >>

​Super Bowl XLV's Media Center Radio Row over at the Sheraton was starting to die down last night when in walked a familiar face.

And, I admit, an even more familiar caboose.

Ines Sainz is the award-winning reporter for Mexico City's TV Azteca. You remember her from the flap with the New York Jets earlier this season. A couple players were ogling her tight britches and saying inappropriate things and she complained to the NFL. She's one of those obnoxious women who wears sexy outfits and then gets offended when dudes like us stare at her sexy outfit.

Right?

At least that's how I remember it.

But wait, when I interviewed her I got a different story.

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