OT: Jerry Green's Super Bowl Streak is Ending

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on January 20th, 2023 at 5:54 PM

Retired Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green is the only reporter to have covered all 56 Super Bowls - a very cool thing. He retired years ago but he kept covering the Super Bowl every year to keep the string alive.

The streak is how ending. The 94-year-old Green said this week that he won't be covering this year's game.

LINK.

Enjoy your true retirement, Jerry.

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MGoGrendel

January 20th, 2023 at 6:14 PM ^

I’ve seen men die shortly after retirement and others live well past the average life span while working.  There is something good about keeping your body and mind active. 

Congrats on your long life Jerry. 

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ckersh74

January 20th, 2023 at 7:10 PM ^

I've got to believe that the key is having something productive to do while in retirement. My dad worked at Ford for 35+ years. He's been retired for nearly 18 years now and fills his time farming, something he's been doing since the mid-60s. It's in his blood (he farmed on my great-grandfather's farm when he was growing up), and it keeps him going. 

He told me a long time ago that, at that time, the UAW retiree drew his pension for about 18 months on average. That's it. Granted, this was probably mid-to-late 1980's, but the lesson still holds true today. A lot of those guys did nothing but work in a factory. No real side hobbies, other than maybe bowling one or two nights a week, where you went and drank a few beers and sucked down a few cigarettes. They got their 30-35 years in and got out. Once they retired, they sat on their asses in front of the TV, still smoked, still had a few beers.....and then pretty soon it was time for the ride in the back of the Cadillac. 

Gotta have a plan for after you retire. Otherwise, I suspect that it's not going to be a long retirement. Looks like Jerry made the most of his. I'm not 50 yet, but I'm still trying to figure this piece out. 

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Grampy

January 20th, 2023 at 7:33 PM ^

The was a lovely article in last Saturday’s WSJ about a Harvard study (now in its 85th year!) tracking thousands of people to assess what behaviors are most important to a long and happy life. The answer, overwhelmingly, was having strong and loving relationships with other people. 

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ckersh74

January 20th, 2023 at 10:50 PM ^

My great-grandfather farmed full-time until he was about 85, when his neighbors convinced him to get off the tractor and let my dad handle things. He still kept about 140 sheep until he was almost 90. It kept him going. 

I don't know if I'm gonna be cutting firewood when I'm 80, but I'm not going to be sitting on my ass all day eating Cheetos, either. You gotta have a reason to get up and do something with your day. My uncle is getting ready to retire (67 or so). He's asking about what kind of TV packages we have. My first thought was "God, I hope that's not the plan". You don't have to run 5 miles every day or chop down half of a forest, but you've got to do something. Otherwise it's not going to be long....

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jmblue

January 20th, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^

Astonishing to think that he's watched every Super Bowl, but has never seen it on TV.  He has never experienced Super Bowl commercials. 

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ckersh74

January 20th, 2023 at 7:00 PM ^

I'm not sure his health allows him to cover this one. His body might very well have made the decision for him.

I know the above link covers all this, but the Detroit News also ran an article. It included a pic that showed him at his keyboard on oxygen. This might very well be his last Super Bowl, period. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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BLUEinRockford

January 20th, 2023 at 7:18 PM ^

God willing I will watch this year's Super Bowl and keep my streak alive of watching every one played. I still remember my Dad asking me if I wanted to go to Ken Keating's house to watch the first one because he had a color TV.  We didn't have a color TV until 1972. 

Edit: While camping in Traverse City our house was hit by lightning and blew out our old b/w TV. Convinced my Dad we needed a color TV to watch the 1972 Summer Olympics. I'm sure some of you remember how that played out.....

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Team 101

January 20th, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^

You're lucky you never got stuck going to some kid's Bar Mitzvah or other social event where you couldn't watch the game.  I remember once my wife invited friends over on Super Sunday for what I assumed was a Super Bowl party only to find out as they were coming over that "oh no, we're not watching that".

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Team 101

January 20th, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^

I remember reading his columns.  He was fortunate to have to have spend his career during an age when people bought newspaper subscriptions.

I hope he enjoys the game on the big screen.  I'm sure he'll be rooting for the Honolulu blue and silver.

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Goblueman

January 20th, 2023 at 7:41 PM ^

Enjoy your 1st Super Bowl on TV Jerry.Ive seen em all on TV. Hope to see the Lions in SB one day.I do remember watching the Lions kick the Browns ass in 1957 NFL Championship game with their back up QB Tobin Rote.

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