Today, Gloria and Emilio Estefan officially announced their minority ownership of the Miami Dolphins. And while some people may scoff at the Estefans' acquisition, Gloria herself has had some previous sports-related endeavors. So come on everybody let's do the conga as Riptide takes a trip back in time:
Superbowl XXVI Halftime Show
Gloria's sports history doesn't exactly start off with a bang. In 1992, she was tapped to perform at the Superbowl XXVI Halftime Show -- in Minnesota. The show was a tribute to the winter season and the upcoming Winter Olympics, because Ritpide assumes nothing says "winter" like some Miami heat. Poor Gloria's live rendition of her moderate hit single/VH1 staple "Live For Loving You" was so poorly received, FOX's live episode of In Living Color crushed CBS in the ratings. It would also be the reason why Michael Jackson performed the following year for Superbowl XXVII.
1996 Olympics in Atlanta
Riptide remembers this like it was the other day. At the closing ceremonies for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Gloria Estefan sent out an inspirational message to all the world's atheletes: "Sorry not all you guys won medals, but here is this nifty consolation prize in the form of an inspirational song!" As they cut clips of athletes trying their hardest to "reach, higher" (see the connection), Gloria sang her heart out. Thankfully, Miami's most prized possession was never in harms way despite the bombings that occured during the games.
Marlins' 1997 World Series Champions
When the 5-year-old baseball franchise stunned the world in becoming the youngest team
in baseball history to win the World Series -- a title that would later
the stolen by the Arizona Diamondbacks -- who was there to help the
Marlins celebrate? Gloria, of course! Re-writing her lyrics to her
single "Higher," she released a limited edition single titled "Go
Marlins," which she performed at the victory celebration at what was
known at the time as Pro Player Stadium.
Superbowl XXXIII Halftime Show
In 1999, seven years after her disastrous Superbowl XXVI performance, Gloria was given a second chance. This time, however, she performed in Miami with Stevie Wonder and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, in what was dubbed "A celebration of soul, salsa and swing." Nipple-gate it wasn't (that still wouldn't happen for a few more years), but Gloria did perform her cover of "Turn the Beat Around" and "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)."
