A very important announcement was made in the world of sports today.

Nope. It had nothing to do with which uniforms the teams in the Super Bowl will be wearing.

Nope. It had nothing to do with that trade of Ron Artest to Sacramento.

Nope. It actually had nothing to with anything you'd see on the front page of any sports section anywhere but Houston, Texas.

Yes, it was the announcement of the new nickname for Houston's new Major League Soccer team.

It was so important that the team - which is relocating to the city after a successful on the field tenure in San Jose - that it took place in front of 150 excited students at Lanier Middle School in Houston.

Nope. There was no mass media conglomeration on hand at Lanier. Just a maximum of 150 new Major League Soccer fans, which some critics of the league would suggest isn't too shabby.

The fun part of the whole thing, of course, was when the new name of the team was announced. After Internet polls and what was probably all-night brainstorming sessions, this is what they came up with ...

The new logo for MLS franchise Houston 1836.

Houston 1836.

Yes, Houston 1836 (it should also be noted that the team colors are raven black, "Space City" blue and "wildcatter" orange).

This comes from the same league that brought you Real Salt Lake, CD Chivas USA, FC Dallas, and Milwaukee Iron Horse SC. Actually, I totally made that last one up (no, I didn't. I can't take credit for that one. I saw it on some forum on BigSoccer.com and thought it was totally cool).

How are we supposed to take this league seriously?

I guess, for short, sports fans can call this new MLS team the Houston 36ers (you know, like the Philadelphia 76ers ... 1776, 76ers, get it?).

However, before we get all up in arms over some MLS team, let's consider what they are trying to do, which is soccer-ize American sports team names.

All across the world there are names for soccer clubs that harken back generations - FC Schalke 04 and Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga have similar names to Houston's new club. So, why can't brand-new American soccer teams do the same thing?

In Houston, this new team name will help educate the masses about their civic history. On March 2, 1836, the Republic of Texas declared independence from soccer-mad Mexico. The city of Houston was founded, too. A gentleman named Sam Houston was a big part of all that (sound interesting? Then, go rent The Alamo starring Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton). Immediately thereafter, rather than play Mexico's brand of football, Texas decided to adopt a more rugged style that required helmets and shoulder pads. Generations later, soccer returned to Texas only to continue to be overshadowed by its gridiron counterpart.

Even though MLS usually flies under the radar, some already ponder whether or not this new name could upset the very fanbase the new Houston franchise hopes to lure to games ... Hispanics.

Wouldn't it have just been easier to name this team the Apollos, now twice the bridesmaid in Houston's name-that-team sweepstakes?

-- JIM REINEKING

Somebody asked me the other day who was going to win the Super Bowl.

And, without any thought on the matter whatsoever, the word "Seahawks" just came out of my mouth.

At the moment, I stand by that impromptu pick.

Before all you dedicated, die-hard, sometimes a little nuts, Steelers fans get all up in arms, ponder that I reserve the right to totally change my mind without warning.

The more thought I give to the game, the more I think it will be one of the all-time classics.

Jerome Bettis

Jerome Bettis is returning to his hometown of Detroit. We already know that, and will hear more about it to the point that it will get beaten over our skulls without any indicaton of an end.

For all of Bettis' qualities, and there are many, Shaun Alexander is a much better back. Alexander has one NFL MVP award. Bettis doesn't have any. Seattle has an advantage in the running game department.

I know what you are thinking ... the running backs don't necessarily play against each other. Alexander will have to hope his offensive line (arguably the best in the game) can open holes against the Steelers defensive linemen (who are underrated) and linebackers (who get an adequate amount of respect). This will be the first big aspect of the game to enjoy.

The next big aspect?

How about Ben Roethlisberger's abilities to hurl the pigskin at a variety of talented pass catchers? The Steelers were known as a running team. Not anymore, football fans. They are now a line-Big Ben-up-in-the-shotgun offense. They pass first (Jason Sehorn, of FSN's Pro Football Preview show, pointed that out poignantly in the latest Instant Analysis piece on FOXSports.com). Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El, Cedrick Wilson ... watch out for these guys. You can sound smart around your friends at this year's Super Bowl party by mentioning that Ward and Randle El both played some quarterback in college and to look for the Steelers to utilize their abilties at some point in SB XL.

The best part about this game is that for the sixth time in eight years the Super Bowl will feature a first-time participant. How have those previous five first-timers fared? They're batting .400. The Ravens and Buccaneers got wins, while the Falcons, Titans and Panthers all lost.

Think the Seahawks can get that record up to .500?

Right now, we're saying, "yes!"

-- JIM REINEKING

Lost in all the hype over Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance in a win over Toronto on Sunday night was an overlooked aspect of his all-around game:

His two assists.

And you thought Kobe was selfish.

If he had held on to the ball both times instead of dishing the rock, he might have scored 85 points instead of 81. Or 87. Or even 89, had he hit two 3-pointers, been fouled on both, and made the free throws.

So never let it be said that Kobe isn't a team player.

Incidentally, this was the second time the Raptors left Los Angeles as losers this season. Back on Nov. 23, they dropped a 103-100 decision to the Clippers.

Five Clippers reached double figures in that game. The Clippers are ahead of the Lakers in the standings. Go figure.

-- DAVE DOYLE

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