FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. --- Rain drove the New Orleans Saints indoors Monday. The NFL scrambled to move today's media day activities under cover. And tourism officials tried to shrug off the public-relations blow of a soggy start to Super Bowl week.
"Sometimes you need a break from the sun," said Nicki Grossman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Everybody all over the country has weather. And you don't have to shovel anything that has fallen on us."
Even so, the less-than-Super weather -- daylong rain blanketing the region -- stirred unpleasant memories of the when the NFL title game came to town three years ago. That was the first time rain fell on a Super Bowl, and it continued throughout the game, chasing some fans away at halftime and sending others into concourses to watch on television as the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears.
"The same weather," Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning said. "I don't know what that is -- the Colts bringing rain to Miami."
Though this is the middle of South Florida's dry season, steady light rain also fell during Sunday night's Pro Bowl in Miami.
The Colts and Saints landed Monday and were greeted by their Pro Bowl teammates -- seven from Indianapolis and seven from New Orleans -- who watched the all-star game from the sideline.
One Pro Bowler was Manning, who said he didn't mind making the trip the day before most of the Colts arrived.
"I got to fly on a private plane with six of my best friends and teammates," he said. "We had Ruth's Chris Steak House food on the plane, took a private escape down to Miami, shook a few hands, did a wave, did one interview and made $45,000. I can think of some worse things to put yourself through."
There is at least a slight chance of rain every day this week, with a 20 percent chance Sunday.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints
WHEN: 6:25 p.m. Sunday TV: CBS-Ch. 12
WHERE: Sun Life Stadium, Miami
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