I cursed my own internal alarm clock when I saw the time. 3:00. I had originally set the clock radio for five minutes later. I reached and set it for another 15 minutes. I even debated just skipping my obligation and sleeping in. It was no good. Time to get ready.
For 17 years, in Philadelphia, the Friday before the Super Bowl was reserved for the debauched, decadent and dumb. For the first time ever, I would join the crowds to witness The Wing Bowl.
I’ll allow Wikipedia to explain more succinctly.
“Wing Bowl was the brainchild of WIP radio host Al Morganti, who came up with the idea when it became apparent the Philadelphia Eagles were not going to make the Super Bowl anytime soon. It is also suggested that Morganti was fed up with the Buffalo Bills going to the Super Bowl and not winning. The first Wing Bowl was held in the lobby of the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Center City. Carmen Codero walked away with the inaugural title, receiving a hibachi as his prize.
Entry into Wing Bowl can be gained in two ways, the first of which is successfully performing an "eating stunt" on air during The Morning Show at the 610 WIP studios with Morganti as judge. The other way to gain entry to Wing Bowl is to win a "Wing V" wing-off in which five contestants eat as many wings in two minutes, with the winner gaining automatic entry into the Wing Bowl.”
Since then, the bowl has moved to many other locations, like the Spectrum finally arriving at the Wachovia (then First Union ) Center in 2000 . It was a sell-out crowd. All the shenanigans are broadcast live in 610 AM WIP. Outside media coverage has grown to the point where every one of the major Philadelphia television stations has covered the event. The NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox affiliates all air live reports from the event during their morning news. Features on the event also appear in Inquirer and Daily News as well as a host of newspapers in the surrounding counties. Reuters also sent a reporter to the event, no one is sure why. But why did we all have to be there at four o’clock in the sodding morning. I grabbed a coffee at Wawa before heading out on the road. A Pennsylvania State Trooper and the manager were discussing the bowl while I paid.
“I’m going there,” I said.
“You’re crazy,” said the Wawa manager.
“At this time in the morning, probably,” I replied.
As I sat in my car, eating my donuts, I saw a NBC10 news truck pull into the parking lot. Looks like I wasn’t the only one looking for an early morning pick-me-up.
One early high point of the day, is the joy of driving on a near empty I-76. This driving euphoria was quickly quashed by the traffic waiting to pull into the parking lot. The gates do not open until 4 a.m. and will not allow anyone without tickets. Thankfully, media get special dispensation. After finding the press entrance and credentialing, we were given free reign to tour the floats being built, talk with competitors, and ogle Wingettes. (I didn’t ogle, I was too fatigued. I sure.)
I believe 4 a.m. is still way to early in the morning but hey, you only live twice. Along with Morganti , Angelo Cataldi, former Eagle Hugh Douglas, former Phillie Mitch Williams, and five-time Wing Bowl champ Bill “El Wingador” Simmons gave commentary during the competition. This year, Cataldi and Al Morganti limited this year’s competitors to amateur eaters only, as opposed to previous contests which featured professional eaters; although, there were a few former champions in the mix this year. Wing Bowl contestants were selected for their ability to complete various challenging eating stunts before they devour the chicken wings in the annual competition at Wing Bowl.While ploughing through the teams and their entourages, I ran into a colleague, S----, from NBC 10. We worked together during last year’s soapbox derby. Surprisingly, it was the first time at this event for both of us.
Of course, eating seemed like a sideshow to the entrance parade which seemed to last two hours with commercial breaks. Some people followed the Roman theme complete with phalanx of centurions. Some went the neighborhood ethnic route, like the Acidic Jew and The Gavone. It was a bizarre pimp and ho party meeting Halloween. I could not look away. (The debauchery that happens around here will go unmentioned; everyone has heard about it and guess what it’s true.) Arson Arnie got the most attention when he tried to smoke out the place. Had I known we’d be recreating the Battle of the Somme, I’d have brought a gas mask.
Everyone put in their ‘best’ effort. (Best is really a relative term, here) Of course, it didn’t hurt that the winner of best entourage would receive an Apple Vacation to Cancun or Punta Cana for the eater and everyone in the entourage!Please note, it wasn’t until the parade started that I stopped asking myself, “Why am I here?” Also a phone call from my cousin in the stands who spotted me didn’t hurt. Plus Tommy Conwell (above, left)and LeCompt played halftime and boy did they sound great. As he passed by, I made sure to tell him that he was good. He was moving some equipment and I wasn’t sure he heard me until he looked over at me.
“Thanks, man.”
The eating competition took a total of 30 minutes. By the end of the first 15 minutes, many of the odds on favorites were eliminated including Gentleman Jerry who announced that this would be his last Wing Bowl. Super Squibb, from New Jersey, took an early lead and did not let up. He would eventually win by a margin of 23 wings. John Squibb a.k.a. Super Squibb of Berlin, NJ, devoured 203 Buffalo Wings to capture WIP’s Wing Bowl 17. Squibb goes home with a Mini Cooper, a $7,500 diamond ring courtesy of Steven Singer Jewelers and a crown decorated with miniature chickens. Runner-up Not Rich finished with 180 wings. Only three people, including the police entry, were eliminated by the ‘You Heave You Leave’ rule. Bowl Commissioner Pat Croce kept in eye on things. 
In the end, the nine to one odds maker stunned everyone. A women got to ride a hog; and I needed a cigar, some food and some sleep.
For more on Wing bowl, check out Philly.com, NBC10.com, and 610 WIP's web site.
