'Helmets off': NFL stars open up as Super Bowl circus begins

Whether they like it or not, everything is fair game, from their dream half-time performer to the worst thing about their wife's cooking.

"If I can get through this media portion, (I'll) give as much as I can, share some info with you guys, answer your questions... but it's a work week," Maye told AFP.

"We're here for one thing and that's to win a Super Bowl... Good things will come after that," he added, with a patient grin.

The event is part of what NFL marketing bosses describe as the organization's "helmets off" strategy, intended to humanize players and increase engagement, particularly among younger fans, by emphasizing their personalities and off-field interests.

The approach goes hands-in-hand with a burgeoning plethora of behind-the-scene sports documentaries, podcasts and even NFL player-backed fashion tie-ins.

Before the Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's NFL championship showdown, seven days of NFL-themed festivities take place across the San Francisco Bay Area.

It all kicked off Monday with sequined cheerleaders, screaming fans, and journalists spanning outlets from the national press to influencers and student reporters.

During an hour of shouted queries, Maye gamely discussed his love for pickleball, his faith, whether the Super Bowl is a "must win" game, and if he thinks he is more handsome than his Patriots predecessor Tom Brady. (He does not.)

He reminisced fondly on attending the last Super Bowl here in 2016, when he was a 13-year-old fan, cheering on his native Carolina Panthers as they lost to the Denver Broncos in Payton Manning's final game.

Maye even, perhaps unwisely, admits to not especially enjoying his wife's pistachio bread -- before quickly showering her other culinary offerings with praise.

- 'Helmets off' -

Throughout this week, players and coaches juggle grueling training sessions and meticulous strategy sessions with an exhaustive schedule of media opportunities.

To the disdain of purists, so much of the Super Bowl coverage is about anything but the football. 

One player told AFP the question he had been asked most often on Monday was whether he is a fan of Bad Bunny, this year's half-time performer.

For the record, few players interviewed by AFP were fans of the Puerto Rican superstar, and some admitted they had not heard of him before he was given the high-profile stage. Most were enthusiastic to give him a try.

Still, for Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane, keeping things fun ahead of a career-defining game is key.

"You can enjoy the seven days if you can be light, and smile, and share fun moments. But at the same time, when it's time to lock in, you've got to be ready to lock in," he said.

"You'll look back more fondly on these days leading up if you win," Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup predicted.

"And if you lose, you won't."

amz/rcw