* For those of us–and it’s likely most of us–who don’t have a strong preference in Sunday’s Super Bowl, here’s a tidbit that may matter. New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft considers Donald Trump a friend. “Loyalty is important to me, and he has been a wonderful friend,” says Kraft. Also publicly befriending Trump, for what it’s worth, Pats coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady. Actually, it is worth something. Go, Falcons.
* Nice to see Tampa Bay’s Brittany Lincicome, 31, back in the winner’s spotlight again. The Seminole High product–she was the best player on the BOYS’ team–won the LPGA Tour’s season-opening Bahamas Classic. It was her first win since 2015.
Also good to see one of the game’s really nice players do well. She’s traveled the world, but has never changed her disarmingly friendly demeanor or her outspoken love for her roots. “I love coming home,” she says. “No tournament stress–just hanging out, sleeping in, going to my favorite restaurants. … Sometimes I think I’ll retire at 35. Buy a home on the water with a dock. The travel is hard.”
* Atlanta Falcons receivers coach Raheem Morris, the former head coach of the Bucs, is now gearing up for the Super Bowl. He’s also been reflective on how he’s grown as a coach since his Tampa Bay days. He took over for Jon Gruden after the 2008 season at the uncommonly young age of 32.
“I’m so much more prepared now to be a head coach,” he recently told the media. “It’s not even close.” For one thing, that means more of a professional relationship with Falcon players. In short, hanging out at the Blue Martini with a gaggle of players during his Buc days became a teachable moment in retrospect.