SPORTS FIGURE IN THE HOUSE: Joe Theismann, former Notre Dame quarterback, is at Sun Life Stadium signing autographs and hanging out with fans. Theismann, who went on to play for the Washington Redskins before retiring after a horrific leg injury, predicted victory for his alma mater, 24-17. “That’s my story and I’m sticking with it,” he said.
IN MIAMI BEACH: The city remains crowded, said police spokeswoman Vivian Hernandez. "We have a lot of people out and about. I just left my office, and fans are out, walking off of Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road ... they’re both busy with fans," she said after 2 p.m. "They all have their team spirit, they either have Notre Dame or Alabama gear on. They’re here for the teams." More Beach officers are on the streets than usual. "They’re in their designated areas. They’re there for the ’just in case.’ As of now we’ve had no issues, the fans have been great and enjoyed the city. We want people to come to our city and enjoy themselves and for us to keep them safe." By Monday afternoon, Ocean Drive was reopened to regular traffic after a fan event on Sunday. Hernandez gave a few safety tips: "If you don’t know the area, go out in numbers. Ask an officer, be mindful of not having your purse toward the back, the regular safety tips. More importantly, enjoy the game and enjoy the city."
FATHER OF A PLAYER: Arturo Martinez of Pinecrest is the father of walk-on football player from Notre Dame who overcame cancer and was featured on the front page of Sunday’s Miami Herald. Martinez pulled into the West parking lot of Sun Life Stadium. He said the weather is beautiful, with just a couple of clouds hovering. "There are wall-to-wall people everywhere, and we’re still six hours to kickoff,’’ Martinez said. "A lot of people setting up for their tailgates, a lot of excitement, music playing everywhere. A lot of joy for all of us to be here.’’ Martinez said Sunday’s article "brought everyone out of the woodwork, and I wish I was technologically prepared to respond to these wonderful well-wishers. We were overwhelmed by the story.’’
THE WEATHER: Now that Big Game Day is here, will the weather cooperate? Forecasters think so. Rain chance is 20 percent chance Monday night, with partly cloudy skies and a possibility of isolated showers, according to the National Weather Service. Highs of 80 during the day will cool to 72 at night. Kickoff for the BCS championship is 8:30 p.m. at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. The forecast will be similar through the workweek, with highs in the low-80s and lows in the low-70s. Winds will pick up Tuesday night, with gusts 18-25 mph.
THE TRAFFIC: Several crashes are delaying traffic in Broward County. Delays are reported on southbound I95 at Oakland Park Boulevard and the northbound I-95 ramp to Sunrise Boulevard. In Miami-Dade, a crash is blocking lanes on Northwest 57th Avenue at State Road 826.
THE STORES: Fans are hungry. And they’re doing something about it. A Publix north of downtown Miami was packed during the lunch hour with Alabama and Notre Dame fans buying sandwiches, chips and beer for their tailgating pleasure. It wasn’t hard to spot them: Alabama fans wore red, Notre Dame fans were in blue.
THE ALABAMA BAR: Mike “Dawg” Arnold, general manager at Alabama Jacks near the Keys, said not much of the staff is from Alabama, but the original owner of the restaurant was. His nickname was "Alabama Jack." Said Arnold: “It’s been a blast. I think [the Alabama fans are] coming here for good luck. In the last three days, I’ll say it’s been for every one Irish fan, we had 100 Alabama fans. We’ve had a blast with it. All the fans have had a great time." The bar won’t be hosting a watch party because the hours are 11 to 7 p.m. The games starts at 8:30. Instead, there will be a party offsite for the staff.
This article will be updated as more information is available.
Live at the BCS: Ocean Drive reopens to car traffic; crashes delaying I-95 traffic in Broward; rain chance 20 percent for game
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Live at the BCS: Ocean Drive reopens to car traffic; crashes delaying I-95 traffic in Broward; rain chance 20 percent for game
