February 2, 2004

Host committee says city delivers clean hit

By BILL MURPHY
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Mayor Bill White and Houston Super Bowl Host Committee officials spent a jubilant Sunday at Reliant Stadium, congratulating each other for putting on a weeklong celebration they say showed off the city's night life and will lure convention business.

Houston Host Committee Chairman Chuck Watson, other committee members and White were suite-hopping for much of the game, shaking hands and praising others for a job well done.

"The week has been fantastic. Everybody knows that Houston is a great place to work. Now everyone knows it's a great place to play," White said.

...

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue told local leaders that the commissioner's party--an annual event--at the Reliant Astrodome Friday night was the "best ever," Henderson said.

Local officials said Tagliabue, other league executives and NFL owners have been extraordinarily positive in their reviews of Houston, saying they expected the city to host a future Super Bowl.