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Making a pick, checking it twice
Scripps Howard News Service
It's time again for that annual gridiron spectacle -- no, not the
Super Bowl, but the Scripps Howard Celebrity Super Bowl Poll.
Personalities from the worlds of entertainment, politics, and sports
make their picks for Sunday's game between the St. Louis Rams and
Tennessee Titans.
|  | | | Faith Hill will sing the anthem, then root for the Titans. |
Elizabeth Taylor, legendary actress: I'm for the Rams because I
once had a boyfriend who played for the Rams, Glenn Davis, one of the
greats who was an All-American when he played at West Point. But then
he had to leave for the war, which delighted my mother because he was
in Korea and I was in L.A. -- the idea of a perfect romance for her
daughter! So I hope the Rams win up and down!
Faith Hill, country singer, will sing National Anthem at Super
Bowl, has been at all three of the Titans playoffs games and picked
Tennessee to win each time. She also sang the national anthem at the
first Titans' preseason game this year: Tennessee, 34-27.
Travis Tritt, country singer: Titans 21, Rams 17.
Stan Musial, legendary St. Louis Cardinals Hall-of-Famer: I'm
picking the Rams. I've gone to several of the games. It's my hometown
team.
Bob Costas, sportscaster who lives in St. Louis: Rams by a field
goal in a high-scoring game.
Gregory Peck, screen legend: I believe the Rams will take it. Once
I lived in St. Louis, and in spite of the fact that Georgia Frontiere
took the Rams away from L.A., I guess I'll go for them out of some
maybe misplaced loyalty to a town.
Kirk Douglas, screen legend: I always bet on the Rams -- because I
think they're still in Los Angeles. They win by 3 points.
Sammy Baugh, NFL legend: The Titans because I used to coach for the
Houston Oilers.
John Elway, NFL legend: I'm an AFC guy. Go Tennessee.
Mia Hamm, soccer star: Tennessee 21, St. Louis 14. The Redskins
aren't in it, so that's kind of disappointing. They both have such
explosive offenses, but I'll go with the former Houston Oilers by
seven points.
Michael Jordan, NBA legend: Whoever scores first will win.
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POLITICALLY CORRECT
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President Clinton: I'm not going to pick one. But I'll tell
you this: I followed it this year very closely. ... What I thought was going to happen two weeks ago, well, I'm no longer so sure will. This
is kind of like this (2000 presidential) campaign. Y'all want to get me involved in it. I don't think you can tell which one of them will
win. You've got one that's a very powerful defensive team, Tennessee, with a capacity for real offense. Then you've got the most powerful
offensive team playing against them, (but they were) stymied last Sunday and played better defense than I thought they could. So, I
mean, I don't think you can predict which one of them is going to win this. (Vice President Al Gore) can say and get in no trouble, can't he, because he's from Tennessee.
Vice President Gore, who is from Tennessee: I predict the Titans will win. The Titans are a team of destiny and they have only begun to
fight. The Titans will beat expectations and will bring the Super Bowl
trophy home to Tennessee.
George W. Bush, Republican presidential candidate and Governor of Texas: I don't have a choice, but I grew up as a Houston Oilers fan
and I was really sorry to see them go, although I don't hold any
grudges. I hope I get to see the game.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., presidential candidate: St. Louis,
because it's been a great comeback story for Dick Vermeil and all
those other schmaltzy reasons. I'm an eternal optimist and maybe the
Arizona Cardinals will do it sometime this century.
Bill Bradley, Democratic presidential candidate who grew up 30
miles from St. Louis: When asked for a prediction, he looked at the
reporter and walked away.
Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., Speaker of the House: I'm for St. Louis.
Dick Armey, R-Texas, House Majority Leader: I told Dick Gephardt three years ago my brother (Charley Armey, Rams' VP of Player
Personnel) would take the Rams to the Super Bowl. Now I want to see
them win it.
Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., Majority Leader of Senate: The Titans.
I'm a big fan of "Air McNair."
Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn.: I was embarrassed that I only picked
the Titans to beat the Jaguars by 3. This time I'm predicting a 24-17
Titans win. And I need a ticket.
Lamar Alexander, former Tennessee governor and two-time
presidential candidate: Titans 28, Rams 21. (Note: Alexander made this
pick prior to this past Sunday's conference championship games because
he was going on a dog-sledding trip in Minnesota.).
Donna Shalala, secretary of Health and Human Services: She demurs
that she hasn't followed the Titans and Rams closely enough this
season to make a Super Bowl call, but forecasts "the Cleveland Browns
will take it next year."
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John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach: You know if I ever
thought a game was a tossup, this is it. Because of my acquaintance
and friendship with Dick Vermeil, I'm pulling for the Rams. But I'm
worried. I'm afraid it's going to be the Titans. Both teams
defensively are very strong, but I don't think it will be 11-6.
Scott Adams, "Dilbert" creator: Based on a thorough analysis of
the symbolism of their respective team names, I expect the Rams to
come out on top.
Martin Luther King III, son of the slain civil rights leader and
president of the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership
Conference: I would like to see Tennessee win because I'm fond of
(Steve) McNair. I was hoping to see the Falcons. I was hoping they
would break history: No team that has ever hosted the Super Bowl has
ever been in it.
Reba McEntire, country music star, who lives in Nashville suburbs: I have gone to as many Titans games as my schedule would allow ... and
watched them fight and scrap their way to the Super Bowl. They are
workhorses and that's something I very much admire. I also respect and
admire the leadership of coach Jeff Fisher. So with all due respect to
the Rams and the hard work and dedication that it has taken for them
to get to the Super Bowl, I predict the Titans will win by a field
goal.
Trace Adkins, country singer: Titans. The key to winning this game
is for the Titans defense getting to the Rams' Kurt Warner. I don't
want to jinx the game by making a prediction, but I'm really hoping
the Titans will win. I'm taping some television shows in Los Angeles
next week, so I'm going to get there early just to watch the game with
my band. I've reserved the hotel conference room with a big screen TV
and we'll have our own little Super Bowl party.
Lorrie Morgan, country singer and Tennessee native: GO TITANS!
Haley Joel Osmet, child actor, "The Sixth Sense": The Rams.
They've shown through excellent play execution on both sides of the
ball that they have what it takes to win. The stats also affect my
choice. The Rams have the lowest penalty average, and all their
players' stats are top notch. The Titans just can't cut it against a
team like that. Sorry, Nashville, maybe next year. Rams by 14.
Genie Easy, astrologer with Astronet.com: We're pretty much going
with Tennessee. We believe they will be more much emotionally
empowered, especially Steve McNair. We believe it will go into
overtime. Tennessee and McNair are astrologically in better position
to make the adjustments because of the sun connecting with Uranus.
There will be unexpected happenings that give McNair a lot of
emotional endurance; he'll be a real team player. It's kind of like
the Broncos when John Elway really carried the whole game. Tennessee,
24-21.
George Tenet, CIA Director: Tennessee Titans. The reason for the
pick and the point spread are secret.
Michael Clark Duncan, actor, "The Green Mile," and like McNair
attended Alcorn State: Tennessee all the way.
Elisabeth Shue, actress: I'm picking St. Louis. I just think
they've got to a lot to prove. They didn't do as well as expected last
week. I think they're going to beat them by seven points. I was really
rooting for the Redskins, you know. It's too bad they didn't make it.
Peter Krause, actor, Casey on "Sports Night": I'm pulling for the
Titans. I like the underdog.
Sarah Jessica Parker, actress, Carrie on "Sex and the City": The
Titans. Thank you.
Chris Noth, actor, Mr. Big on "Sex and the City": The Rams.
Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons coach: St. Louis 20, Tennessee 17. The
Rams have too much speed, and you can't scheme against speed.
Dan Issel, Denver Nuggets coach: I'd like to see the Rams win,
only because I can't imagine how much (coach) Dick Vermeil will cry if
he wins the whole thing. I like that kind of stuff.
Marion Jones, world champion sprinter, and C.J. Hunter, world shot
put champion, husband and wife: Tennessee Titans. We predict the score
will be 30-6. The Titans defense and running game are much too strong
for the Rams. The Rams have no answer for Eddie George.
Sparky Anderson, former Cincinnati and Detroit manager: Here's
the thing: I like Vermeil because of him coming back after being out
of coaching and doing the announcing, and I like the job he's done
with the Rams. But the kid Fisher (Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher) -- I
have a dear friend, Horace Consolo, brother of Billy Consolo, who was
one of my coaches, and Horace taught Fisher at Taft High (in L.A.) and
coached him in B football. I don't know him, but I feel like I do
because of Horace. So we'll be pulling for both coaches, but I'd kind
of like to see the kid (Fisher) do it.
Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows, husband-and-wife entertainers: Rams
21, Titans 6. We've always been Rams fans whether they're in L.A. or
St. Louis.
Merv Griffin, entertainer/producer: Does this mean if the Rams win,
they'll come back to L.A.? Tennessee by a touchdown.
Wayne Newton, entertainer: (The Titans) are a team of destiny. They
are on a mission of greatness that will not be denied.
Dan Blonsky, recent winner of $1 million on Who Wants To Be a
Millionaire?: Tennessee. The AFC is much better than the NFC. I'm an
AFC fan. Actually I think it will be competitive for a change. 24-19.
Ted Leonsis, America Online executive, owner Washington Capitals,
part-owner Washington Wizards and already a bona fide millionaire: I
still like the Redskins this year!
Sid and Jenny Craig, weight loss entrepreneurs: Jenny says the Rams
by 7. Sid picks the Titans by a touchdown. Sid says they'll watch the
games in different rooms.
Mike Powell, long jump world record holder: I want the Rams, but
I'm picking the Titans because I think they are more battle-tested and
I think since that miracle play they feel like they are a team of
destiny and that's how they've been playing. Despite the Rams' move
out of Los Angeles, I'm still a Rams fan.
Eddie Murray, former baseball player and current Orioles coach:
Rams because their offense is superior and their defense is underrated
as it showed last week. They are a pretty good ball club all the way
around.
Goldberg, WCW pro wrestling superstar and former NFL player: Rams.
Kevin Nash, WCW pro wrestling superstar and former Tennessee Vols
basketball player: Tennessee.
Kenny Rogers, singer: I think that Tennessee is going to win 21-14.
You know, really, I think it's a toss-up. I have a tough time calling
it because I think they are both explosive teams. Because Tennessee is
an old Houston team, and I am from Houston, I am rooting for them.
Bebe Winans, gospel singer now in touring production of "The Civil
War": The Titans, because I am a Titan (he's from Nashville).
Larry Gatlin, country singer now in touring production of "The
Civil War": As a former Nashvillian, I am rooting for the Titans and,
besides, Bebe Winans said he'd kill me if I didn't.
Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers, California native: If I have
to pick a team to go with, it would be the Rams because of the
California connection.
Jimmy Osmond, singer with the Osmond brothers: Rams 37, Titans 33.
Since our family theater is in Branson, Mo., it's especially exciting
that another Missouri city has made it to the Super Bowl. We're
definitely rooting for the Rams. Kurt Warner is our home-state hero!
Chamique Holdsclaw, WNBA star: Tennessee all the way! Jevon Kearse
is a great defensive player and I like Eddie George, they're my two
favorite football players. I'm a big fan of Jevon Kearse, I think he's
going to be great, he's going to be the next Lawrence Taylor. And
Eddie George is just a good running back. I think Tennessee, once
Steve McNair came back and started getting back into the flow, they
started getting better.
Nikki McCray, WNBA star: Tennessee of course. I'm from Tennessee,
I'm a Tennessee girl so I have to go with them. They've been there for
just a few years and for them to take it all the way to the Super Bowl
this year says a lot, especially after having to move across the
country and everything. So I'm really excited for them to win.
Natalie Williams, WNBA star: St. Louis will win because of Kurt
Warner. They basically came out of nowhere, Warner's the MVP and
they're really playing well. St. Louis deserves it.
Dick Schultz, executive director, U.S. Olympic Committee: Even
though I will be pulling for Dick Vermeil and the Rams for their great
comeback this year, I am going to pick the Titans. They are obviously
a team of destiny and they are really playing very well right now. I
think they have better balance. However I think this has the potential
of being one of the better Super Bowl games.
Dick Schapp, sportscaster and author: I love the fact that a
quarterback from Northern Iowa (the Rams' Warner) is going
head-to-head with a quarterback from Alcorn State (McNair). But I go
with Northern Iowa.
Bobby Thomson, N.Y. Giant baseball player who hit the "Shot Heard
'Round the World": The St. Louis team can score a lot, but a good
defensive team can give 'em trouble. But I still believe St. Louis and
Warner have a slight edge. It's a great sports town, and I played
against some of the greatest players in the history of baseball in St.
Louis. That's another reason I want St. Louis to win.
Ralph Branca, former Dodger who threw the famous pitch to Thomson: Tennessee plays good defense, and it will be a close game, but St.
Louis will win, 24-17.
Joe Frazier, former heavyweight boxing champ: I love the Rams
because they are a small piece of leather well put together. Dick
Vermeil remembered my career very well when he came to play
Philadelphia and said I was an inspiration to him. I'll remember that
and root for him.
David Reid, undefeated WBA super welterweight champion: St. Louis.
Larry Hagman, actor, J.R. on "Dallas": Tennessee. The Rams looked
great all year, but they didn't look that good last Sunday. Before
they were all jumping around like they were all turned on, but now?
... They'd better get their act together."
Martin Milner, actor, Pete Malloy on "Adam-12": I think it will
be St. Louis, 24-17. I think the Rams are a more complete team. I
would have picked them to score a little more, but after taking a look
at the Titans defense, I thought, well, you know, they might not score
30 points this time.
Danny Bonaduce, Los Angeles disc jockey, former actor on "The
Partridge Family": The Rams...because they had the good sense to get
out of Los Angeles!
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JUST SIT RIGHT BACK...
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Bob Denver, actor, Gilligan on "Gilligan's Island": I don't know.
I watched both playoffs. I thought the Rams were going to run over
(Tampa Bay), but they just barely made it. The announcers, I love when
they have to eat crow. I'll probably go with St. Louis. I think
Vermeil has just probably got them wired, I think since he brought
them from nowhere.
Dawn Wells, actress, Mary Ann on "Gilligan's Island": I really
don't want Tennessee to win, but I think they will. I think they are
so jazzed. St. Louis was the old (Los Angeles) Rams, but I lived in
Nashville for 19 years. It was a tough decision. I also have property
in Florida, so I was rooting for Tampa! I'm real confused. But in my
head rather than my heart, Tennessee is going to win.
Russell Johnson, actor, The Professor on "Gilligan's Island": St.
Louis. Well, for two reasons. I like that Kurt Warner and I like to
see something nice happen to Dick Vermeil. He deserves it. I'll pick
them by 10 points.
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Al Lewis, actor/politician, Grandpa Munster on "the Munsters": The Winner: St. Louis. Coach of the Year: Dick Vermeil. No question
about it.
Aaron Spelling, television producer: If the Rams don't win, I'll
have to hock my wife's jewelry!
Marty Roe, lead singer of country group Diamond Rio: I think that
the Titans will win by 10 points because their defense tactics and
defensive line will dominate the Rams' offensive line much like they
did against Indy.
Nell Carter, actress: I'm going for the Rams because the team paces
themselves better and works more like a unit. I would like the Rams
defensive line to all be here in my house. I'd be a happy woman.
Connie Stevens, actress: Rams 42, Titans 38. Very close, hard
fought game. Kurt Warner is a product of destiny which I usually don't
question. There are an enormous amount of stars coming up on both
teams that are exciting to see.
Bill Boggs, host of the Food Network's "Bill Boggs Corner Table": The St. Louis Rams are going to be blowing the St. Louis Blues through
the Rams horn all over the Titans. When it's over the Titans will have
the "black and blues."
Al Franken, author/performer: Boy, I don't know. I'm a Vikings fan.
I guess I'll go with the Rams, the team that beat my team. That way it
makes us look less bad. Think how bad Miami is.
Phyllis Diller, comedienne: St. Louis, 23-22. The Rams are out
there in St. Louis. But they used to be here (in Los Angeles). I have
nothing against them. I'm not about to tangle with any of those guys.
Those are big ones.
David Brenner, comedian: I refuse to cheer for any athletic team in
any contest, including The Super Bowl, who changed cities. They remind
me of politicians -- jumping fences to get votes. Show me a team that
has remained faithful to its fans, like the Eagles and the Jets, and
you've got a fan in me. If the Philly Eagles become the Kutztown
Eagles or the NY Jets become the Newark Jets, I'll dump them, too.
Harry Shearer, comedian/actor: My pick to win the Super Bowl is
monster.com. I read they're spending the most on commercials, so of
course they win.
Bill Engvall, comedian on the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour": The new
millennium will also usher in a new dynasty. Please welcome the
Tennessee Titans. The Titans will win 24-21. The reason: because they
are so happy that they were not called the Tennessee Hounddogs. So
enjoy it Tennessee and enjoy the fact that your name to most
southerners is a verb and not a noun. "Hey, you gonna titan that
knot?"
Clive Cussler, author, "Atlantis Found": Los Angeles 21,
Tennessee 13. I grew up in Los Angeles and have a sentimental
attachment to the Rams.
Heidi Murkoff, author of "What to Expect when You're Expecting": I haven't followed football in several years, but I definitely feel
that Houston is going to beat L.A., 24-17.
Mark DeCarlo, co-host of "The X Show": I pick the 1985 Chicago
Bears to win the Super Bowl. When I look at the two teams who will be
in the Super Bowl, I bet you Vince Lombardi is turning over in his
grave.
Maureen Flannigan, actress, "Seventh Heaven": I've only watched
one game this season, which was the championship game, but I'm now a
diehard Rams fan. They used to be from L.A. and I need something to
cling to since we have no football team.
Will Arnett, actor, "The Waiting Game": The Titans. They are
peaking at the right time. They are on a roll. I don't believe that
St. Louis can stop Eddie George and Steve McNair.
Ed Asner, actor: I think it will be Tennessee. It will be a
hard-fought battle of course. It will not be a runaway. I could be
wrong. I can only hope that the best team wins. What other cliches can
I give you? The score flashing through my mind: 24-12.
Robert Stack, actor: The Rams, 21-0. We're neighbors of Georgia
Frontiere.
Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service
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