A big week precedes the big game. On Monday night, the NFL’s finalists take convention center stages to open Super Bowl media availability. So begins the hype, but also the hilarity. Some tune in for celebrity jump scares. Others are just here so they won’t get fined.

How to watch Super Bowl Opening Night

Super Bowl Opening Night is technically about press access. A staggering amount of content is made around the Super Bowl, as our readers know so well. This is a chance for reporters to ask questions and for camera crews to capture pregame color.

As currently constituted, the event is also a football fan convention. Supporters of the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks can hat-tip their favorite players, while Bay Area locals can check out the teams their region is hosting. Tickets are free — they were $30 not too long ago — but admission is capped by convention center capacity.

There are overlapping sessions for the two title contenders. New England’s press window goes from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET. After so many austere Bill Belichick pressers, the microphone passes to new Pats coach Mike Vrabel.

Seattle’s session starts at 9 and ends at 11. League-leading receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba can keep refining his “jiggy” dance moves. Maybe someone will ask Sam Darnold about his burgeoning birding career.

NFL Network streams this get-together for all who are curious. That curiosity tends to compound quickly. Seahawks icon Marshawn Lynch coined his inescapable catchphrase when Seattle last made a Super Bowl. Patriots all-timer Tom Brady once fielded a marriage proposal from a TV presenter in a white dress. During last year’s festivities, Guillermo Rodriguez asked Jalen Hurts, “Is it better to be a tush or a pusher?”

NFL Network presenter Colleen Wolfe is Monday’s broadcast anchor. She’s joined by Maurice Jones-Drew, the former Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowler, and Michael Robinson, a fullback who retired on top after the Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLVIII win.

Famous Super Bowl media moments, from the NYT archives

1969: Joe Namath

“‘We’re going to win,’ the Jet quarterback said three days before the third Super Bowl game, ‘I’ll guarantee you.’” — Dave Anderson

1979: Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson

“To students of (Tom) Landryisms, that meant the Cowboys better win Sunday for Hollywood to retain his freedom of expression next season, especially if Terry Bradshaw competes too many passes in Hollywood’s area.

‘Bradshaw,’ says Hollywood, ‘couldn’t spell cat if you spotted him the c and a.’” — Dave Anderson

1999: Ray Buchanan

“Surrounded by the news media earlier this week, Buchanan sat down and turned on his video camera. ‘Now that I’m center stage,’ he said, smiling, ‘I’m taking full advantage of it.’

Buchanan has also appeared in public wearing a dog collar because the Falcons are underdogs. The Broncos believe that all Buchanan has done is set himself up for ridicule. Tight end Shannon Sharpe engaged in a trash-talking duet with him Thursday.” — Charlie Nobles

2005: Tom Brady

“At the Super Bowl’s media day, Brady was asked, ‘Why are you so handsome?’ Uncomfortably, he rubbed the blond stubble on his chin, flashing a set of teeth whiter than the chalk lines.” — Lee Jenkins

2015: Marshawn Lynch

“Over the course of his remaining time he proceeded to deflect all questions, rarely giving a straight answer. He occasionally would interject the questioning reporters with statements like, ‘Shout out, Oakland, California,’ and ‘Shout out to my teammates.’ When asked if he could say anything in Spanish he replied, ‘Hola.’ When asked about the availability of his Beast Mode hat, which reportedly could lead to his being fined by the N.F.L. as it is not officially licensed merchandise, he directed people to Beastmodeonline.com.

Things got chilly, however, as time was running out. He declared he had 20 seconds left and was asked to give a prediction for the game. Lynch looked directly at the reporter who was at the end of his table and said calmly, ‘I’m going to sit here with my mouth closed and look at you.’” — Benjamin Hoffman

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