Super Bowl

Miami-Dade mayor Gimenez to Chiefs, 49ers: Welcome to Miami for Super Bowl 54

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez during a press conference announcing the launch of the Super Bowl LIV environmental initiative at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center in Key Biscayne, Florida, on Monday, April 22, 2019. Behind Gimenez, from left, are Gov. Ron DeSantis, Super Bowl Host Committee chairman Rodney Barreto, and Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez during a press conference announcing the launch of the Super Bowl LIV environmental initiative at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center in Key Biscayne, Florida, on Monday, April 22, 2019. Behind Gimenez, from left, are Gov. Ron DeSantis, Super Bowl Host Committee chairman Rodney Barreto, and Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel. dvarela@miamiherald.com

With the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers making their way to Miami on Sunday for Super Bowl 54, Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez had one message for the two teams: Welcome to Miami.

“It’s a long-time coming,” Gimenez said from the Miami International Airport American Airlines’ Maintenance Hangar where both teams are slated to fly into. “Ten years since we hosted the last Super Bowl. ... A good kickoff to our Super Bowl week.”

Miami is hosting its record-setting 11th Super Bowl on Feb. 2 and first since Super Bowl 44 a decade ago.

It will be the sixth at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, with the first five taking place at the Orange Bowl.

“The city is different,” Gimenez said. “If you came here 10 years ago, it’s a completely different city. ... The stadium itself has changed a lot. It’s completely revamped. Not only are we hosting this Super Bowl, but we expect to host many more.”

Jordan McPherson
Miami Herald
Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.
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