Lindsay MCormick of ESPN (Photo courtsey of LindsayMcCormick.com)

Lindsay McCormick is a reporter and host from Houston, TX who has appeared on ESPN.com’s “Streak for the Cash,” ESPN.com’s “College Pick’em,” MtvU’s “The Dean’s List,” the Tige Rodgers Morning Show on Mix 96.7 as a guest analyst and as a sports reporter covering the Auburn University football team and NFL games for ESPN the Magazine.

Lindsay was kind enough to write a special piece for “The Dugout Sports Show” about her experience during Super Bowl XLIV weekend in Miami, Florida.

I know I am not playing in the NFL Pro Bowl or will I ever play in the Pro Bowl, but after spending the past few days in Miami, I don’t have a clue what Ochocinco and his co-workers have to complain about. It may not be Hawaii, but this place is something special and the parties the former and current players are attending are nothing less than extravagant.

NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson and Nick Lachey kicked off the weekend with the Super Skins Kick-Off Party at Hotel 944 at Eden Roc. The party featured a special performance by Snoop Dogg as well as the entire Manning family minus Peyton. Lachey and Johnson followed the party on Friday with the Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic, with which in the past two years they have raised over $600,000 for The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Nick Lachey Foundation and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. The two longtime friends would always look forward to their yearly trip to the Super Bowl and to playing golf while on their trip. This event allowed them to continue to do this, incorporate a few more friends and to give back at the same time.

Next on the agenda for Friday, the Tide Plus Febreze Freshness Sport Launch Party hosted by Venus Williams. I don’t know any other place where you can see Venus Williams throwing a football in a dress to your left, T.O. battling Hoops from Flavor of Love on the hardwood to your right and Charles Oakley golfing all on a rooftop. Throw in a few Twilight stars, amazing food, a multitude of NFL players and Kelly Rowland dancing to her own jam, “When Love Takes Over,” and what do you have . . .most sports fanatics’ dreams, or in this case, the recipe for an amazing party. Note to Owens: I know I hassle you, but you really should look into one day adding NBA to your resume.

Eli Manning, QB for the New York Giants, chats with his team in the DirectTV football game. (Photo Courtsey of Lindsay McCormick)

I wasn’t sure how anything would top Venus’ party, but I knew that if one party was going to do it, it would be the most anticipated Super Bowl party of the year: ESPN The Magazine’s Next Super Bowl Party. What myself and every other reporter, anchor and famous Hollywood producer did not anticipate was the extremely tight door and several hour long wait. However, once everyone finally did get into the party, it was worth the wait. As Keri Hilson and Neyo performed, every top athlete in the world mingled with each other. From AL MVP Joe Mauer to Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez, the world of sports collided inside of a tent. A rather large tent.

After the star studded event went late into the night, I was surprised that the two teams at the Direct TV Celebrity football game played as well as they did. It was the battle of the New York quarterbacks. We all already knew what Manning and Sanchez can do on the field, but it was time for both of the players to showcase their coaching abilities. Despite the fact that Sanchez did not have MVP Marisa Miller at wide receiver on his team, he still managed to pull out the close win.

As for the football game that comes with more than just bragging rights, Super Bowl XLIV, I predict it will possess a little bit of the same type of magic that I have seen all weekend.

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills (Photo Courtesy of Lindsay McCormick)

T.O. summed up the majority of the players’ thoughts on the game when he said, “I think the Indianapolis Colts are going to win, but I hope the Saints win. The Colts have an experience factor and that guy Peyton is something special.”

With a team that has the support of an entire soulful city facing potentially one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, the outcome of the game will be sure to top even the most lavish party.

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Check out Lindsay at her website, www.lindsaymccormick.com and on Twitter, @LindsayM_ESPN

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