No 3D Super Bowl? Catch DirecTV's 3D celebrity flag football game

Jan 21, 2011 10:22 AM

An action shot from last year's Celebrity Beach Bowl
Photo: DirectTV

If you're bummed that Fox Sports isn't showing this year's Super Bowl XLV in 3D, DirecTV is offering a consolation prize: A celebrity 3D flag football game on Super Bowl weekend, capped by a performance by Maroon 5.

The Celebrity Beach Bowl, which will be shown in 3D on the DirecTV/Panasonic full-time n3D channel as well as in regular HD on the 101 Network, will be broadcast live on Saturday, February 5, the day before the actual Super Bowl airs. It will also be picked up by a number of Fox and DirecTV regional sports networks.

For the festivities, which kick off at 1:30 ET with a pre-game show, DirecTV will transform Dallas' Victory Park into a mini-stadium that rocks a sand-filled football field and concert stage, where Maroon 5 will perform immediately following the game. Dan Patrick will host the game, which will pit New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning as coach of one team against New York Jets quarterback (and hopefully Super Bowl participant) Mark Sanchez, who will coach the other.

Former NFL-ers Warren Moon and Rich Gannon will captain and their respective teams at quarterback, and other atheletes will join the teams. Celebtrity players including Taylor Lautner, Jennifer Lopez, Chace Crawford, Marisa Miller, Ed Westwick, Kellan Lutz, Nancy O'Dell, Brian McKnight, Michael Clarke Duncan, the Wayans brothers, Olivia Munn, and Jessica Szohr. Additional celebrities are expected to be added before game time.

The half-hour pre-game show will be hosted by Dan Patrick and Kevin Frazier, and the game—played over two 20-minute halves—starts at 2:30 ET. Patrick, entertainment reporter Nancy O'Dell, and sideline reporter Tony Siragusa will call the action.

Let us know if you'll be watching the Celebrity Beach Bowl in 3D, and what you think of the broadcast. But we'd also like to hear what you think of Fox's decision not to offer Super Bowl XLV in 3D, despite the growing number of 3D TV owners.

—James K. Willcox