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2014 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 131
Commending the Virginia members of the National Football League's Super Bowl XLVIII.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2014
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2014
 

WHEREAS, on February 2, 2014, at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos met on the gridiron for the National Football League’s Super Bowl XLVIII; and

WHEREAS, according to Fox Sports, the first outdoor cold-weather Super Bowl was the most-watched television program in United States history, with a record 111.5 million viewers tuned in for the broadcast; and

WHEREAS, the Seattle Seahawks, whose offensive and defensive teams were believed to be outmatched by the Denver Broncos, quickly assumed control 12 seconds into the game when the first snap of the ball sailed over the head of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning into the end zone, resulting in a safety for the Seattle Seahawks and setting an NFL record for the fastest score in Super Bowl history; and

WHEREAS, after the first quarter, the Seahawks led 8–0; at halftime the score was 22–0 in favor of Seattle; and by the third quarter of the game, the Seahawks led 29–0; and

WHEREAS, the Denver Broncos, the highest-scoring team in NFL history, finally scored its first points on the last play of the third quarter with Peyton Manning’s 14-yard pass to receiver DeMaryius Thomas, who set a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions, and with the two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Wesley Welker; and

WHEREAS, the Broncos were overwhelmed by multiple interceptions and forced turnovers, outperformed by a penetrating Seahawks offense, and crushed by Seattle’s “Legion of Boom,” the Seahawks hard-hitting defense; and

WHEREAS, two native sons of Virginia demonstrated exceptional prowess and vigor as members of the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XLVIII:

Paris Michael Lenon – was born on November 26, 1977, in Lynchburg, where he attended Heritage High School and won two varsity letters each in football and basketball, and one in baseball. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he played football and was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2000. A fitness fanatic and the oldest defensive player in the NFL this season, Paris Lenon was the starting middle linebacker for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. An outstanding football player with phenomenal speed, Paris Lenon really understands football.

Vinston Eric Painter – was born on November 10, 1989, in Norfolk, where he attended Maury High School. He graduated from Virginia Tech and was drafted by the Denver Broncos, for which he is an offensive tackle. He was moved to the Broncos’ active roster this year. Vinston Painter relishes remembering his experiences on the dusty, worn-out practice field of Maury High School and his days at Virginia Tech, where he honed his athletic skills. He savors being a part of a Super Bowl team and starting a promising professional football career with the Denver Broncos. Vinston Painter also dreams of helping his old Norfolk neighborhood when he becomes fully established.

WHEREAS, propelling the Seahawks to its 43–8 Super Bowl victory, the first in franchise history for the team, were five native sons of Virginia who played with a “champion’s heart and mind”:

Kameron Darnel Chancellor – was born on April 3, 1988, in Norfolk, where he attended Maury High School. He was an outstanding football player for Virginia Tech, where he earned his undergraduate degree. Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, the team’s “enforcer,” intercepted a pass by Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVIII, setting the tone for the Seahawks’ persistent domination of the game.

Chandler Fenner – was born on July 6, 1990, in Virginia Beach, where he graduated from Frank W. Cox High School. As a high school student athlete during his senior year, he was named the school’s “Most Valuable Player” in football and track, served as captain for the football and track teams, was selected as the high school’s “Male Athlete of the Year,” ran a leg on the school’s record-setting medley relay team, and was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He continued his outstanding academic and athletic record at the College of the Holy Cross, where he excelled in football and track and field. At the College of the Holy Cross, Chandler Fenner was named as a member of the first team All-Patriot League for two consecutive years, started in all 11 of the college’s games as a cornerback, and signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs, for which he played cornerback for two years before leaving to play as a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks.

William Percival Harvin, III – was born on May 28, 1988, in Chesapeake. Percy Harvin graduated from Landstown High School in Virginia Beach and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida. He was recognized by the Associated Press as its Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2009 NFL season. He plays wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. During Super Bowl XLVIII, the versatile Percy Harvin, with just 12 seconds into the second half of the game, found an opening to the end zone and thrilled fans by opening the third quarter with a sensational 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving the Seattle Seahawks a 28–0 lead over the Denver Broncos.

Burton Michael Robinson – was born on February 6, 1983, in Richmond, where he was a four-year starting quarterback for Varina High School. He played quarterback and wide receiver for Pennsylvania State University, where he posted one of the greatest seasons as a Penn State quarterback, and earned his undergraduate degree in advertising and public relations in three years. He finished fifth in balloting for the 2005 Heisman Trophy. Michael Robinson was drafted in 2006 by the San Francisco 49ers. On September 6, 2010, he signed as a fullback with the Seattle Seahawks. Overcoming a debilitating illness in August 2013, he battled his way back to full health and resumed his position with the Seahawks. Michael Robinson caught one pass for seven yards and was the lead blocker on Marshawn Lynch’s second-quarter touchdown run in the Super Bowl XLVIII win over the Denver Broncos. He is in his fourth season with the Seattle Seahawks after four years with the San Francisco 49ers.

Russell Carrington Wilson – was born on November 29, 1988, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a graduate of Collegiate High School in Richmond, where he was an all-star member of the school’s football and baseball teams. He attended North Carolina State University, where he played football and baseball before transferring in January 2011 to the University of Wisconsin. Russell Wilson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and while there, he set the single-season record for passing efficiency and led the team to a Big Ten title and the 2012 Rose Bowl. A baseball standout as well, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles after high school and by the Colorado Rockies while attending North Carolina State University. On April 27, 2012, he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. Driven by a strong and relentless work ethic, unparalleled confidence and poise, continuous encouragement by his parents, especially his father, Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, and his persistent faith in God, rookie Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson navigated his way through the world of giants in the NFL to the Super Bowl, the pinnacle of his profession. With his keen intellect and decision-making skills, quick hands, strong passing arm, nimble feet, and sheer athleticism, he has perfected the play-action pass that makes it easier to see receivers downfield. With these remarkable skills and the mindset of a champion, Russell Wilson led his team to dominate and defeat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII; and

WHEREAS, before a record crowd of 82,529 persons and the Seahawks’ loyal 12th man, the team’s many fans, the Seattle Seahawks routed the Denver Broncos 43–8, the largest margin since Super Bowl XXVII in 1993; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia members of the National Football League’s Super Bowl XLVIII; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Seattle Seahawks on the occasion of winning Super Bowl XLVIII and the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Peter Clay Carroll, Owner Paul Allen, and General Manager John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for an exceptional season and championship performance.