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Indianapolis discovers the Super Bowl is all about excess

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 05, 2012|By Mark Shanahan

Ne-Yo with Playboy Playmates Stacy Fuson and Heather Young during the Playboy…

INDIANAPOLIS — As this city is discovering, the Super Bowl is all about excess. A near-riot atmosphere gripped downtown Friday as thousands of party-goers and gawkers choked the streets, creating a scene reminiscent of Vancouver after the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. Not helping matters was boxer Floyd Mayweather and rapper 50 Cent, who cruised the city in the wee hours this morning in a bus emblazoned with Mayweather’s likeness – and, of course, Twitter handle – causing the drunken crowd to go nuts.

Fortunately – or not, depending on your appetite for danger – the vibe at some of the weekend’s A-list Super Bowl parties was more subdued. Friday’s slate of soirees included Playboy’s annual bash, held at the Bud Light Hotel in the heart of the chaos, ESPN the Magazine’s party, Audi’s exclusive affair, and GQ’s joint, where adorable servers wore matching Izod shirts. (Lacoste was one of the sponsors.)

Playboy had promised Playmates and a slew of celebs at its party, but it only partially delivered. The Bunnies made the scene, but if singer Joe Jonas or actor Neil Patrick Harris was there, we didn’t see them. “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm and “Captain America” Chris Evans did attend, but breezed in the back way to avoid pesky reporters like us who were working the red carpet.

With few exceptions, guests said they were rooting for the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. One of the exceptions was Playmate Stacy Fuson – Miss February 1999, if you have Google handy – who said she’s friends with former Patriot Lawyer Milloy, and met Pats QB Tom Brady several years ago. Fuson took issue with Madonna’s comment earlier this week that she’d hang out with Giants QB Eli Manning over Brady.

“They’re both married, so that’s my first thought,” sniffed Fuson.

St. Louis Rams receiver Brandon Lloyd and running back Steven Jackson were among the early arrivals, but both seemed distracted.

“It’s hard to talk about sports when you got bunny ears behind you,” said Jackson.

Lloyd, who’s a free agent, was asked if he’d like to reunite in New England with Josh McDaniels, who’s credited with turning the pass catcher’s career around in Denver and St. Louis.

“I’d like to continue to consider myself Josh’s prized pupil, but right now I’m a member of the St. Louis Rams,” said Lloyd. (We’ll take that as a yes.)

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster credited his wife for his wardrobe choices, which included a kelly green sweater, plaid scarf, jeans, and a pair of gray leather Louis Vuitton loafers. Foster was eager to make new friends at the party – “I’m gonna learn about people in there” – and put in a plug for Ron Paul, who he called “the best presidential candidate.”