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 One of the best examples of this is before the Super Bowl, when
tens of thousands of people rise to their feet and join in the
singing of the U.S. national anthem.
For some players, it can be an overwhelming moment as they try to
stop tears from welling up in their eyes and their lips from
quivering in front of a worldwide television audience.
But on Sunday, when the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks clash in
the National Football League's championship game, the cameras are
sure to focus in on one player when American soprano Renee Fleming
starts hitting the high notes.
Denver running back Knowshon Moreno may be one of the most rugged
players in the NFL but he's also a self-confessed cry baby and if he
starts sobbing on Sunday his tears could get more attention than any
snowflakes.
Footage of Moreno bawling before a recent game became an internet
hit in the United States because of the heavy flow of tears that
stream down his cheeks.
"I'm always an emotional guy," Moreno told reporters on Monday. "I
play with my emotions on my sleeve and just go out and try to play
as hard as I can.
"I don't know how many games I've played in, but it's never any
different ... It is what it is. I would never change."
When the footage of his giant crocodile tears was broadcast on
television, Moreno was ribbed by some his teammates.
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But the 26-year-old admitted he will struggle to bottle up his
emotions on the biggest day in American professional sports.
"It will be through the roof. Listening to other guys who have been
in this position before playing in the Super Bowl, it's a lot going
on," he said.
"They say you have to hold your emotions down, you're going to be
fired up, but there is so much going on that sometimes you've got to
calm down.
"I think that will be my toughest battle, just being able to stay
composed until the fires start burning down."
Adding to the emotion for Moreno on Sunday is that the game will be
played in New Jersey, close to where he grew up.
He still holds the New Jersey high school state record for scoring
and continued his form in College and was selected by the Broncos as
the 12th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
After a solid start, he lost his starting position in 2011, then
again the following season, but has regained his spot and is playing
better than ever this season.
"The thing with Knowshon, the thing he's really improved, is his
accountability and dependability," said Denver head coach John Fox.
"He's done a tremendous job, and he is maybe one of our most
improved players this past season. I hope he continues that on
Sunday."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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