Giants fan defied Belichick’s edict
Al Lasso knew what he had to do in a New York minute.
A lifelong New York Giants fan from New Jersey, he had checked into a hotel during Super Bowl week and figured life couldn't get much better.
Then, two days before the Super Bowl, so many cops were swarming around the hotel that it looked like a crime scene.
"I thought someone must have been murdered," said Lasso, a longtime Las Vegas defense attorney.
He approached a cop. Just a safety drill, the cop says.
The next day, more cops.
Lasso heads to the hotel bar to check in with his favorite new bartender, a guy who had been wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey all week.
The bartender shares a secret: The Patriots are arriving soon, switching their Super Bowl hotel.
Sure enough, four buses pull up to the suburban hotel escorted by three SWAT teams, according to Lasso.
From out of nowhere, a large piece of plywood is moved into position so hotel guests can't see the players as they enter the hotel and gather in a large room.
When Lasso seeks out his bartender friend, he gets another surprise: The guy is wearing a Patriots jersey.
What's going on? says Lasso, aghast that an Eagles fan would suddenly switch allegiance.
The bartender spills more secrets. "(Patriots coach) Bill Belichick said everyone in the hotel has to wear Patriots jerseys," he says. The entire staff.
It gets worse. Much worse.
"The wait staff has been told they can't talk to the players unless they talk to you first," the bartender continued. "And no eye contact."
Lasso instantly knew he had to do what any self-respecting Giants fan would do.
He went to his room and "put on every piece of Giants gear I had" and went down to the lobby.
Oh, by the way, this was four years ago in Phoenix.
And when the 18-0 Patriots boarded the buses the next day, there was Lasso, wearing Giants gear and a wide smile "and waving a foam finger."
"Who does he (Belichick) think he is? God? Or Barbra Streisand?"
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Another Super Bowl, another cross-dressing bet for former Mayor Oscar Goodman. His latest Super Bowl wager with radio deejays Mark and Mercedes: Loser has to dress up like Madonna in today's Super Bowl halftime show. The bet payoff takes place on the Third Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience at 5 p.m. Monday. Oscar's got the Giants. The KXMB-FM, 94.1, duo lost last year and had to dress up as "Jersey Shore" stars Snooki and Pauly D. ...
UFC superstar Georges St. Pierre skipped out the back door Saturday at the end of two-hour signing appearance at The Fight Shop at the Miracle Mile inside Planet Hollywood Resort. About 40 fans (out of 200) missed out, but St. Pierre had a commitment: He was working the corner for Stephen Thompson, who won the first fight of the night at Mandalay Bay. Thompson, who won by knockout, is 57-0 in kickboxing and 6-0 in pro fights, with 47 career KOs.
SIGHTINGS
At UFC 143 Saturday: Alex Rodriguez, Joe Jonas, Derek Hough, Joe and Benji Madden, Mandy Moore, Minka Kelly, Derek Jeter's on-again, off-again girlfriend, Wilmer Valderrama, Jaime Pressly, Vanilla Ice and UFC stars Anderson Silva and Chuck Liddell. ... At 1 OAK (Mirage) on Friday: NFL veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, with former Super Bowl MVP Jerome Bettis, Chicago Bears All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers, and Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman. Also in the club: UFC star Jon Jones. ... Paris Hilton, with her parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton, and singer and actor Omarion at Surrender (Encore) for DJ Afrojack's set. Omarion, rumored to be in talks with Afrojack for a recording project, sprayed the crowd with a 15-liter bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne. Also in the house: Olympians Michael Phelps and Apolo Ohno, arriving about 2 a.m. after stops at Lavo (Palazzo) and Marquee (Cosmopolitan). Also at Lavo on Friday: actresses Kelly and Moore, dining with St. Pierre, Jon Fitch and Kenny Florian; Cheryl Burke of "Dancing With the Stars" and UFC veteran Forrest Griffin, who hosted a pre-fight party. ... Night School 4 Girls host Laura Croft, celebrating her 29th birthday at Chateau (Paris) on Friday with boyfriend Clint Scott after dining at Sugar Factory American Brasserie. Also at the restaurant: UFC stars Frank Mir and Jones, and Baltimore Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones. ... Tim Allen, having lunch at Lagasse's Stadium (Palazzo) on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"If the Giants beat the spread, we get to keep the house." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear at Your Super Bowl Party
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
