Country superstar Kenny Chesney is gearing up for a very busy Super Bowl weekend. With his longtime love of that laid-back Big Easy vibe and his fond memories of suiting up and scrimmaging at a training session with the hometown team a few seasons back, and despite his well-publicized friendship with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, the former high school footballer will be rooting for the Saints this year. In a recent interview with New Orleans’ Times Picayune, Chesney took some time to explain his allegiance.
“I would love to see the Saints win the Super Bowl, because they’ve never won it, and what it would mean to the city of New Orleans,” Chesney told journalist Keith Spera. “After Katrina, the music scene in New Orleans took such a hit. Everything did. If they win the Super Bowl, it would be a shot that the town needs. I’m pulling for that. Of course, if the Colts win, I’ll be happy for Peyton, too — nobody works harder than him.”
The Chesney brand will be everywhere during Super Bowl week. His satellite channel, No Shoes Radio, has been broadcasting from the Surfcomber Hotel in Miami. Today (2/5) Chesney is scheduled to chat on the Mike and Mike Show on ESPN-2 and ESPN Radio. And on Sunday, he’ll appear on the Super Bowl edition of ESPN’s NFL Sunday Countdown.
Chesney will do the Super Bowl itself in style. After spending much of the week in Nashville editing his forthcoming concert film, Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D, he’ll head down to South Florida for the big game. He’s even performing at the Saints’ private post-game party. They’ll take in the game from Chesney’s suite in Sun Life Stadium.
“I didn’t have an allegiance to New Orleans growing up, but the more I’ve played there and been there and seen the spirit of the town…it’s a great music town and a great sports town,” Chesney said. “It’s a town that I’ve grown to love.”
