I thought I was going to merely watch the Super Bowl tonight without a rooting interest. Simply enjoy what I expect to be a great game, an immense spectacle and some entertaining commercials. Then my friend Dennis (not the one that posts here, the "other" Dennis who I went to college with) reminded me of a story.

When we were teammates on the Central Michigan University Forensics team (public speaking, not "Quincy" re-enactments) we travelled one fall to Mankato, Minnesota for a tournament. We think it was probably 1990. Help me out here, KBO. It was the year before you arrived.

Dennis and I, along with our coach, stopped in at a little Chinese restaurant in Mankato and had what I remember to be a really good meal. It was also really late and there was only one other person in the restaurant, some guy in a Minnesota Vikings jacket. The guy looked familiar but kept to himself. He looked pretty tired.

Finally, he got up to pay. I looked on the wall of the restaurant where there was a lone signed photo of a Vikings player. It was a signed picture of their third-string quarterback, Rich Gannon. I quickly realized that the lone diner was Gannon.

Being Mr. Friendly that I am, I said "Hey, Rich" as he walked by our table on his way out. He was clearly beat (the Vikings' training camp is in Mankato) but still stopped for a couple minutes and chatted with us. I think he was just excited that someone recognized him.

Well, the fresh-faced backup that we met that night is now the grizzled veteran quarterback for the Raiders. Oh, did I mention that he was also the NFL's MVP? His story in itself is a great one. Now that Dennis has reminded what a great guy he was all those years ago I think I now have a rooting interest.

Never thought I'd say this in my lifetime, but I'm pulling for the Oakland Raiders.