Free Republic

Nice collection of superbowl photos.

CHARLOTTE, NC Name it and the Carolina Panthers claim it as merchandise and it is not only tee shirts and hats. At the team store at Bank of America Stadium, napkin rings, personalized magnets, candle snuffers and even Panthers merlot were flying off the shelves. Young Panthers fan Clay Martin checked out bobbleheads dolls. He said that he was not picky when it came to Carolina merchandise. "I just like Julius Peppers,” said Clay. “I'd get anything with Julius Peppers.” Unfortunately, one thing he will not be able to get is the Super Bowl Edition Jersey bearing Peppers' name. It...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As Super Bowl XXXVIII draws near, Panthers fans throughout the city of Charlotte are venting Panthers pride in some unusual ways. Take Mark Alexander, an ice sculptor who carved out a very unusual display. In a representation of what every fan would like to see Sunday, Julius Peppers, wearing a number 90 jersey, is tackling Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady. In Pineville, Panthers pride went straight to the dogs. All shapes and sizes of pooches gathered for a Panther's Pup rally at Barbara's K-9 Cafe on Main Street. It was a chance for dogs and their owners to...

TIKRIT, Iraq -- The Super Bowl parties for U.S. troops in Iraq will start hours before dawn, and there won't be any beer. But at least in Tikrit, soldiers have a lavish venue: They'll be watching a cinema-sized screen in a former palace of Saddam Hussein. At bases across the country, the 130,000 American troops will be able to catch the game between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots live (starting at 2:25 a.m. Monday, Iraqi time) in mess halls and recreation centers. If waking up in the middle of the chilly Iraqi night is too daunting, many...