Rooting interests in the National Football League (NFL) playoffs are generally determined by one’s geographic location. But where’s the fun in that? Wouldn’t you rather base your support on arbitrary government contracting criteria? Here is a list of contracting-based reasons to pull for each of the 12 teams in the playoffs:
Tim Tebow visited the White House in 2009 after leading the Florida Gators to the college championship. Video screenshot: White House.
- New England Patriots – Definitely the choice of Raytheon employees, as the company pulls in $2-$3 million for each MIM-104 Patriot Missile. Be careful, though: The New England bunch relies heavily on its aerial attack, while the Patriot is a surface-to-air missile.
- Green Bay Packers – Though the Packers name refers to meatpacking and canning, shipping container contractors, who made $720 million in military late fees alone in the last decade, should also have an affinity for the Packers. The team should also do well with Marinette Marine employees, who build Littoral Combat Ships in Marinette, Wisconsin, an hour north of Green Bay.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers should have a wide range of contractor fans, since steelers’ work for the government is found in everything from shipbuilding to facility construction. And of course, the Steelers logo was based on the Steelmark designed by U.S. Steel, a major government contractor.
- New York Giants – Defense contractors working on military bases abroad who enjoy their Green Giant peas and carrots may transfer some of their gratitude toward the football Giants. The team’s unique stadium-sharing arrangement with the Jets makes it a model of teaming as well.
- Baltimore Ravens – People affected by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process should line up behind the Ravens: The military shuffle has led to nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Meade getting plenty of new government contracting business, especially in cybersecurity. Also, “Raven” is the nickname for the now-retired electronic warfare variant of the F-111A aircraft.
- Detroit Lions – Ground systems contractors, especially those interested in the lucrative Ground Combat Vehicle program, may take a shine to the Lions. Despite the team’s proximity to the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), the team also relies on its aerial offense.
- Cincinnati Bengals – Proponents of GE’s failed quest to build an alternative engine for the Joint Strike Fighter near Cincinnati can seek inspiration from the Bengals. The team lost their All-Pro quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, though made a surprising run with rookie replacements.
- New Orleans Saints – Federal Emergency Management Agencey (FEMA) contractors who won business performing post-Katrina work may want to continue their support for the Big Easy.
- Houston Texans – Former shuttle contractors from the Johnson Space Center can take heart from the Texans. They moved on successfully after losing many key players to injury.
- Atlanta Falcons – The choice of Lockheed Martin contractors, especially those involved with the Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 and F-16 Fighting Falcon. (I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind seeing the football Falcons crash and burn when playing the Giants on Sunday.)
- San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers’ sudden rise this year can be appreciated by gold suppliers like Coins ‘N Things, the largest seller of raw gold to the government, racking up sales of $1.86 billion of raw gold to the U.S. Mint in fiscal year 2011.
- Denver Broncos – Users of Deltek software and Deltek employees may or (may not) be fans, since a recent Yahoo Sports article noted that quarterback Tim Tebow was born in Makati City, Philippines, where Deltek has an office.
The Tebow-Deltek Connection, Explored
Despite the U.S. hoopla over Tebow’s on-field displays of faith, unusual style of play and improbable comebacks (until recently), he is largely unknown in the town of his birth. I did my own research by polling people at Deltek’s Asia-Pacific office in Makati City:
Senior quality control analyst Phoebe Bagara noted, “I’m not a fan either. Football wasn’t really popular here in the Philippines until only recently. I only learned today that Tim Tebow has an orphanage here.”
Software developer Marinette Panaligan stated, “Read about this article too. American football is not big here — Filipinos are usually big National Basketball Association, wrestling and boxing fans, and just recently getting interested in soccer. There’s another Tim, though, that I follow, in baseball: Tim Lincecum, starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants… he’s part Filipino.”
Quality analyst Rogie Salas further explained, “It’s a bit difficult following NFL games as not everyone has cable TV and not all cable providers have a lot of sports channels, especially on NFL games. Sometimes I manage to see some games, and I’m not even sure if it’s current or not. For Makati folks who did know Tebow and his family when they were here, I bet they are not current with NFL games and they haven’t realized that he’s a big-time NFL quarterback now.”
Other Deltek-connected persons may be less ambivalent, though.
Anthony Critelli follows the latest GovCon developments as news editor for GovWin from Deltek, the network that helps government contractors win new business every day. He can be reached at [email protected].http://govwin.com/anthonycritelli_blog/nfl-playoff-govcon-rooting-guide/353826
Tebow!