I didn’t define myself that way so it was, like, it was a shocking moment for me. Actually when I started on the red carpet doing ‘Idol,’ I had already lost 60 pounds then. By then, I was, like, a size 12. This is every woman’s size. The average size. I was, like, what are you talking about? Here it is again: image, image, image, image. To me, it’s talent, talent, talent, talent. At least where I come from. Definitely it’s my faith in God and growing up — my mother, even though she’s not here now, she trained us well. I always dreamed but never this big, and look what God can do. That’s something my grandmother used to always say. She would always shout… how great thou art! And I never understood … until I’ve been able to travel the world and see God’s marvelous works around the world and I would find myself saying, oh, my God, how great Thou art,”

I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, available for purchase Jan. 10, 2012, chronicles Hudson’s beginnings as a choir singer in a church on the Southside of Chicago, as well as her “meteoric rise from ‘American Idol’ to ‘Dreamgirls’ to her amazing weight loss on the megablockbuster Weight Watchers diet plan.”

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Here is what our Mayor had to say….

“The last three or four years, I’ve been on Radio Row at Super Bowls, telling people how great our Super Bowl was going to be in Indianapolis,” Mayor Greg Ballard said. “Now, I go by Radio Row, and those same people are telling me how great it’s been.”

The biggest complaint I’ve heard from my brethren so far is, “You people are too nice.”

I respond to this complaint by cursing them out, because I want them to feel like they’re back home in New York or Boston.

I don’t know if Indianapolis will ever get another Super Bowl. When I addressed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about it Friday, he lauded Indy but gave a rather tepid response, noting how it’s only the fourth quarter of Indy’s Super Bowl experience.

Asked if Indy is a viable option in future years, he said, “Sure it is. We’re here and they’re doing a fantastic job. We’ve got a weekend still to go and a game to put on. I know everybody in Indianapolis is focused on the future. But we want to make sure this week turns out to be what everyone has worked so hard for.”

You must be 6 years old or older to ride the Zipline. The minimum weight is 65 pounds and the maximum weight is 275 pounds.

Click here for the Zipline waiver form.

Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome provides an immersive 360 degree inflated dome with full-body gaming on Kinect for Xbox 360. Kinect responds to body movement with controller-free gaming. The interactive Kinect gaming is exciting and new for seasoned gamers and rookies alike. Get active with Kinect!

• Mike & Mike in the Morning
• SportsCenter
• SportsNation
• NFL Live
• NFL32
• The special four-hour edition of Sunday NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday.

These shows will be open for public viewing throughout the week.

TLC is capitalizing on the latest trend of reality shows and giving the world what it really wants to see with a new series “First Ladies” of the Atlanta area churches.

With True Entertainment, the same production company behind RHOA, behind it, how could it go wrong?

“We are excited to work with TLC to profile the lives of these strong-willed women,” True Entertainment president Steven Weinstock says. “With most praise in religious communities directed towards male preachers, we are thrilled to give these remarkable ladies the spotlight they crave and deserve.”

The series will follow the women who play the role of preacher’s wives and mothers at home. The real drama is how they manage both while keeping their cool.

An airdate has yet to be announced. But they need to hurry that up because it’s bound to be a popular one.

Please click here for the Super Bowl Village map.

Entertainment
Emmy-award winning Zuri Hall will serve as the on-stage emcee in the Super Bowl Village as well as host for “Village TV.” Comedian and Super Bowl ambassador Mike Epps will also make special appearances throughout the week.

All concerts are free, non-ticketed events. Please see the Super Bowl Village Events calendar widget or full events calendar for concert listings.

Zipline
The four line Zipline will run tandem down Capitol Avenue. It is the longest temporary Zipline in the United States. The pre-sale for Zipline tickets has ended. Tickets will be sold on-site daily. Take a quick zip in your favorite football jersey for an unforgettable experience.

You must be 6 years old or older to ride the Zipline. The minimum weight is 65 pounds and the maximum weight is 275 pounds.

Click here for the Zipline waiver form.

Special Opportunities

“Fire and Ice” Lounges will provide food and beverage sales in several locations through the Super Bowl Village.

Super Dash, two human-powered wheels, one dedicated to each fan base of the competing Super Bowl teams, operate similar to a hamster wheel. Each day, the top 100-yard dash scores will be announced. On February 5, the division that generated the most energy will be crowned champion. The unique energy race that will energize football fans is provided by Global Inheritance, a 501C3 nonprofit organization.

Kinect NFL PLAY 60 FanDome provides an immersive 360 degree inflated dome with full-body gaming on Kinect for Xbox 360. Kinect responds to body movement with controller-free gaming. The interactive Kinect gaming is exciting and new for seasoned gamers and rookies alike. Get active with Kinect!

Papa John’s will provide a mobile kitchen near the Verizon Stage on Pennsylvania Street with pizza to purchase.

Ice Gurus from The Food Network
Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from the Food Networks show Ice Brigade, will do live ice sculpting performances.

Super Bowl Roman Numerals
Monument Circle will play host to the iconic 30 foot Super Bowl Roman numerals, first seen during the 2008 Super Bowl in Arizona. The numerals will be placed on January 24, 2012 and remain there throughout the Super Bowl week.

Tailgate Town
A football fan’s heaven with tailgate competitions and football turf offering interactive game playing!

ESPN Broadcast Studio
More than 110 hours of television coverage, as well as ESPN Radio shows and other related content will be produced at Pan Am Plaza from Monday, January 30 – Sunday, February 5, 2012. Some of ESPN’s most popular shows broadcasting from Pan Am Plaza includes:

•Mike & Mike in the Morning
•SportsCenter
•SportsNation
•NFL Live
•NFL32
•The special four-hour edition of Sunday NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday.
These shows will be open for public viewing throughout the week.

No tents, coolers on wheels or other impediments to public movement are allowed in the Super Bowl Village.

Park and Ride
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Important Link: Park and Ride
Purchase advance space for $2 per person; limited onsite availability $10 per car.
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