NFL Writer Praises San Francisco After Super Bowl

Longtime NFL commentator says critics "lied" about the city's problems

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In the aftermath of Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco, longtime NFL writer Adam Rank praised the city, saying critics had "lied" about San Francisco and that it was a "delightful city" to visit. Rank and fellow commentator Jim Rome traded compliments about the city's beauty and hospitality during Super Bowl week, with Rank noting he was impressed to find the local craft beer Pliny the Elder on tap at a local bar.

Why it matters

San Francisco has faced criticism in recent years over issues like homelessness and crime, but hosting the Super Bowl provided an opportunity for the city to showcase its positive attributes to a national audience. Rank's comments push back against the negative narrative that has sometimes surrounded the city, potentially changing perceptions.

The details

Over 1.3 million passengers traveled through San Francisco International Airport during Super Bowl week, bringing visitors who were able to experience the city firsthand. Rank, a 30-year NFL writer, said he was "blown away" to find the local craft beer Pliny the Elder on tap at a bar, calling it "very fascinating" for "mere mortals" like himself. Both Rank and fellow commentator Jim Rome praised San Francisco as a "world-class city" with some issues, but overall a "delightful" place to visit.

  • Super Bowl 60 took place in San Francisco on February 9, 2026.
  • Rank and Rome discussed San Francisco on "The Jim Rome Show" on February 11, 2026, two days after the Super Bowl.

The players

Adam Rank

A longtime NFL writer who has covered the league for over 30 years.

Jim Rome

A prominent sports radio host and commentator.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to tell you: They lied to you about San Francisco. They tried to take a run at Frisco, saying it was some terrible place and you needed to be scared. It really was nothing like that. It was a delightful city.”

— Adam Rank, NFL Writer (The Jim Rome Show)

“The city itself is beautiful. I poke fun because it's Frisco, and NorCal hates SoCal. And we just don't give a damn about you, NorCal, because everyone hates us. So we don't really care. In fact, all of California hates SoCal. San Diego hates LA. Frisco hates LA. All the kidding aside, it's a world-class city. Like any other city, it has its issues. LA has its issues.”

— Jim Rome, Sports Radio Host (The Jim Rome Show)

What’s next

There are no clear next steps mentioned in the article.

The takeaway

This story highlights how hosting major events like the Super Bowl can help change perceptions about a city, even one that has faced criticism. The positive comments from prominent sports media figures like Adam Rank and Jim Rome suggest San Francisco was able to showcase its strengths to visitors during Super Bowl week, potentially altering the narrative around the city's challenges.