Steelers or Packers? Celebrities pick Super Bowl winner

Steelers or Packers? Celebrities pick Super Bowl winner Image

Celebrities didn't get it quite right. many chose the Steelers to steamroll the Packers on Sunday. that was the opinion of a majority of participants in the 22nd annual Scripps Howard Celebrity Super Bowl Poll. Of the 97 notable personalities who made predictions, 51 believed that the Pittsburgh Steelers would win Super Bowl XLV, while 43 picked the Green Bay Packers. three celebrities jokingly picked another team or said they didn't care. the Steelers have won six Super Bowls, more than any other NFL team. Several of the celebrities said Pittsburgh's experience on the big stage will make the difference. "The Steelers have a very good team and a great bunch of guys," said golfing legend Arnold Palmer, a native of Latrobe, Pa. "Terrific defense and lots of experience in big games." Lamar Odom of the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers put it simply, "Pittsburgh, because they've been there before." some celebrities picked Pittsburgh because of their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, who is going for his third Super Bowl ring in six years. "Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger is 2-0 vs. the Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who is much less experienced and suffered several injuries," said actress Cloris Leachman. Added Donald Trump: "Steelers will win because big Ben is a winning football player." other celebs, like comedian Phyllis Diller, chose the Steelers for more eclectic reasons. Several years ago, she was scheduled to perform in the Pittsburgh area on the same day the Steelers were playing. "I couldn't get to the job. the town went wild," she said. "They had to (delay) the show because the Steelers won. to me, they're just always winners." If the Steelers won, it would have been the 14th time in 22 years that a majority of the celebrities have picked the Super Bowl winner. Because the Packers won, it's the third time in the last four years that a majority of the celebrities picked the wrong team. many of the celebrities who picked the Packers did so because of Rodgers, Green Bay's dynamic quarterback. "Aaron Rodgers and the Packers won't be denied," said college basketball announcer Dick Vitale, who picked Green Bay, 28-24. Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova said, "Aaron Rodgers is too hot to handle." Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed the Packers as a 2- to 2-1/2-point favorite. most of the celebrities agree that it will be a close game, but a few are predicting a lopsided score. Actor Gordon Clapp foresees a Pittsburgh rout of 38-16. "The Steelers will run up the score in the second half over the road-weary Packers and nab their record-seventh Lombardi trophy," he said. Poet and author Maya Angelou picks Green Bay to win, 27-7. "I am supporting the Green Bay Packers because of the wonderful cheese and butter," she said. Rock star Joan Jett thinks Green Bay will win, 38-24. Jett may be on to something. She's correctly predicted the winners of the last five Super Bowls in the Scripps Celebrity Poll. the celebrity who picks the winning team and whose guess at the final score comes the closest to the actual score wins the Scripps Howard Super Sage Award. last year's winner was actor Joe Mantegna, who picked the new Orleans Saints to beat the Indianapolis Colts, 28-17 — just three points off the actual final score of 31-17. this year, Mantegna picked Green Bay to win, 24-21. Navratilova (1998) and actor Dennis Farina (2005) are the only two celebrities in the history of the poll to have picked the winning team and gotten the score exactly right.

Did you agree with the stars listed above or did you make a better prediction? Add a comment below to share if your Super Bowl prediction was right.

FULL LIST: Read the entire list of celebrity predictions by clicking "next"

DONALD TRUMP, businessman, "The Apprentice": Pittsburgh, 21-14. Steelerswill win because big Ben is a winning football player.

MAYA ANGELOU, poet and author: Green Bay, 27-7. I am supporting the GreenBay Packers because of the wonderful cheese and butter.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, NBA star, Boston Celtics: Pittsburgh, 24-17. big Ben isa friend of mine, has been for several years. He has regained his focus afterthe beginning of the season in turmoil.

STAN MUSIAL, baseball Hall of Famer: Pittsburgh.

JACK NICKLAUS, golf Hall of Famer: Pittsburgh, 27-24. I am an AFC guybecause of my longtime support of the Miami Dolphins. even though I have alwaysbeen a big fan of the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers, I still have to gowith the AFC.

ARNOLD PALMER, golf Hall of Famer, first Super Sage Award winner in 2003:Pittsburgh, 28-14. the Steelers have a very good team and a great bunch of guys.Terrific defense and lots of experience in big games.

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA, tennis Hall of Famer: Green Bay, 27-20. AaronRodgers is too hot to handle.

CAL RIPKEN JR., baseball Hall of Famer: Green Bay, 27-24. They're bothreally solid teams. Hard to pick. end of the day the edge goes to the Packersoffense by a slight margin.

DAVE GROHL, rock star, Foo Fighters: Pittsburgh by a hare. It's the Yearof the Rabbit, you know.

KEITH URBAN, country music star: Green Bay. I think they're bothobviously fantastic teams. I'd like to see the Packers win, just to be a nicemoment. I have a lot of friends in Wisconsin.

MARK WAHLBERG, actor and producer: Not the Patriots, so I don't care.

DONNIE WAHLBERG, actor, "Blue Bloods": Green Bay, 27-20. the Packers playa similar style of game to the Patriots, which matches up well against theSteelers.

JOE MANTEGNA, actor, "Criminal Minds," 2010 Super Sage Award winner:Green Bay, 24-21. as a Bears fan, it's hard to pick the Packers, but I respectany team that plays normally outdoors in zero weather.

DENNIS FARINA, actor, 2005 Super Sage Award winner: Pittsburgh, 27-20.I'm a Bears fan so I want to see Green Bay get beat any way they can.

MATTHEW MORRISON, actor, "Glee": Pittsburgh, 34-17. Steelers defense willdominate this game.

CLORIS LEACHMAN, actress, "Raising Hope": Pittsburgh, 24-10. PittsburghQB Ben Roethlisberger is 2-0 vs. the Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, who is much lessexperienced and suffered several injuries.

ANDY WILLIAMS, singer: Green Bay, 24-17. They're both good teams, but Ijust think the Packers are better this year and I like Aaron Rodgers.

PHYLLIS DILLER, comedian: Pittsburgh, 21-17. One year I was playingoutside of Pittsburgh (after a Steelers game). I couldn't get to the job. Thetown went wild. they had to (delay) the show because the Steelers won. to me,they're just always winners.

DON RICKLES, comedian: Green Bay, 31-21. I just think they have theattitude that this is "our time."

MIKE HAYDEN, former CIA director: Pittsburgh, 23-17. what a matchup.Historic NFL franchises. great defenses. Quarterbacks who can escape the rush.my head says it's a tossup. my heart says Steelers. either way, ya gotta lovethe fact that this game features teams with no cheerleaders and two of thesmallest TV markets in the NFL!

CHUCK YEAGER, first man to break the sound barrier: Pittsburgh by 2.They're at the top of their game, and they're peaking at the right time.

RUSH LIMBAUGH, radio talk show host: Pittsburgh.

BILL O'REILLY, Fox News host: Green Bay, 28-17. Aaron Rodgers will have ahot hand and the Packers defense will get to Ben Roethlisberger.

RACHEL MADDOW, MSNBC host: the Patriots will rise from the dead andsurprise everyone.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN host: Green Bay, 24-21. my son-in-law is from Wisconsinand loves the Packers. He says Aaron Rodgers plays well under a dome. I agreewith him.

TOM WATSON, golf Hall of Famer: Pittsburgh, 24-20. I just think theSteelers are going to win. they have a better running game.

YOGI BERRA, baseball Hall of Famer: Green Bay, 23-20. the best teamshould win, and it could also be Pittsburgh.

BILL MAZEROSKI, hit game-winning homer for Pittsburgh Pirates in ninthinning of Game 7 against the Yankees in 1960 World Series:Pittsburgh,27-17. I think the Pittsburgh defense will shut down the Green Bay offense andwill play a pivotal role in the outcome.

BLAKE GRIFFIN, NBA star, Los Angeles Clippers: Green Bay, 24-17. I thinkthe Steelers' defense is tough, and they have so much experience. I want to sayPackers, so I'll go with the Packers.

JILLIAN MICHAELS, fitness trainer, "The Biggest Loser": Green Bay, 23-17.the Steelers have been playing with house money, making it this far with adepleted offensive line that will be no match for the Packers' pass rush. AaronRodgers has finally earned the right to be called Brett Favre's successor.

SARA EVANS, country music star: Green Bay, 27-23. I love them because myhusband (Jay Barker) was drafted by them in 1995!

PENN&TELLER, magicians, 2007 Super Sage Award winners: Pittsburgh,33-24. taking Obama's State of the Union to heart, Packers decide the first stepin "winning the future" is "losing the present."

PAT ROBERTSON, reverend, 2008 Super Sage Award winner: Pittsburgh, 28-14.the Packers quarterback is a splendid athlete, but he'll be playing hurt and itmight give Pittsburgh an advantage.

DR. JOYCE BROTHERS, psychologist: Green Bay, 30-27. They're going to bein warm country, and they've got a great defense.

ED ASNER, actor, "Working Class": Green Bay, 24-20. Aaron Rodgers isdoing a wonderful job.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion:Pittsburgh, 31-28. I lived in Wisconsin for a while and followed the Packers,but I'm picking the Steelers because of bill Cowher. I always respected him andthe way he coached. I started liking the Steelers because of him and I'msticking with them for the Super Bowl.

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NASCAR driver: Green Bay.

JEFF GORDON, NASCAR driver: Pittsburgh, 17-14.

ADAM WEST, actor, "Batman": Pittsburgh, 24-17. They're just on a greatroll, and what are you going to do … a voodoo woman on Roethlisberger?

JERRY MATHERS, Beaver on "Leave it to Beaver": Green Bay, 24-20. I thinkthis is Aaron Rodgers' time to shine.

BARRY WILLIAMS, Greg on "The Brady Bunch": Pittsburgh, 31-24. they areSteelers. Need I say more? I predict more of a running game neutralizing QBAaron Rodgers' formidable talents. So I am going with Roethlisberger, theladies' man.

FLORENCE HENDERSON, Carol Brady on "The Brady Bunch": Green Bay, 28-21.Because I have a friend in college in Illinois and he's been a Green Bay fansince he was a boy. also, I like their uniforms.

RUSSELL JOHNSON, the Professor on "Gilligan's Island": Pittsburgh, 24-21.the quarterback for Green Bay is a hotshot, but I'm from Pennsylvania, so I haveto pick Pittsburgh.

MARK CUBAN, owner, Dallas Mavericks: Pittsburgh, 28-18. the Steelers havethe corners and pass rush to keep Green Bay receivers in check, and I thinkMendenhall will create enough of a running game to keep Green Bay on theirheels, giving the Steelers the chance to put up 28 points.

DICK VITALE, college basketball announcer: Green Bay, 28-24. AaronRodgers and the Packers won't be denied.

TIM LINCECUM, pitcher for World Series champion San Francisco Giants:Green Bay, 24-15. I've got to go with Green Bay since Aaron Rodgers is from Caland I root for the Pac-10.

PABLO SANDOVAL, infielder for World Series champion San Francisco Giants:Pittsburgh, 28-21. the better team will win.

RALPH BRANCA, three-time All-Star for Brooklyn Dodgers: Green Bay, 24-16.I like their defense.

BRANFORD MARSALIS, musician: Pittsburgh, 24-20. even with the injury toMaurkice Pouncey, the Steelers seem to find a way to win.

JOAN JETT, rock star: Green Bay, 38-24.

BOB WEIR, guitarist, Grateful Dead, 2004 Super Sage Award winner: GreenBay, 31-24.

KARCH KIRALY, Olympic volleyball star: Green Bay, 28-24. Aaron Rodgershas shown fierce tenacity since before college: little interest from D1 programswhen he came out of high school, patient as backup to Brett Favre. If the fitstarts hitting the shan, he's not backing down, and he seems like he's not goingto let his team back down either.

MIKE ERUZIONE, captain of the "Miracle on Ice" 1980 U.S. Olympic hockeyteam: Pittsburgh, 27-26. I don't know if Green Bay's injuries are going to comeback to haunt them against a good defensive team like Pittsburgh.

APOLO OHNO, Olympic short-track speedskating star: Pittsburgh, 27-24. TheSteelers have been able to find a way to win close games and this might be nodifferent. a last possession drive to set up a game-winning field goal.

ALLYSON FELIX, Olympic track star: Pittsburgh, 28-17. as a USC Trojan, itis tough to pick between Troy and Clay. they are both such incredible players,but I think the Steelers defense and experience are going to help them pull outthe win.

KERRI WALSH, Olympic beach-volleyball star: Pittsburgh, 24-17. I thinktheir experience will be the difference.

JENNIE FINCH, Olympic softball star: Pittsburgh, 24-14. Both teams arepretty evenly matched, and the Packers have certainly proven themselves on theroad lately. But I'm not sure the Packers would have won (against the Bears) ifit weren't for Cutler's injury. I really like Mike Tomlin and am rooting forhim.

MICHELLE WIE, golfer: Pittsburgh, 24-17. Green Bay is obviouslydangerous, and on a roll in the playoffs, but I think Pittsburgh's Super Bowlexperience will win out in this case. Green Bay will be back next year and getit done.

DANICA PATRICK, auto-racing driver: Pittsburgh. the game will beextremely close and within seven points.

MAMIE VAN DOREN,legendary sexsymbol:Green Bay, 24-13. Green Bay's offense is unstoppable andthe quarterback is handsome.

TERESA SCANLAN, miss America: Green Bay, 24-17. the Packers have provento be a very strong team, and they have former Husker Brandon Jackson on theirteam now!

RIMA FAKIH, miss USA: Green Bay, 24-21. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasbeen on fire in the playoffs, and the Packers defense is not going to let upeasily.

CAROL CHANNING, entertainer: Pittsburgh, 28-17. I love Pittsburgh.

JACLYN SMITH, actress, "Charlie's Angels": Green Bay, 24-17. Because myhusband told me to pick them.

CANDICE OLSON, interior designer/host, "Candice Tells All": Pittsburgh,30-27. I think we'll see an offensive shootout when the teams meet in Dallas.Pittsburgh's defense will get to Green Bay's quarterback. Pittsburgh seems to beon a roll: they won it all in 2005 and 2008, so it only seems fitting they willwin it all in 2011!

HOLLY MADISON, host, "Holly's World": Pittsburgh, 27-21. this Pittsburghteam has been there before and they know how to play in huge games.

SUSAN ANTON, entertainer: Green Bay, 27-20. I am a Cheesehead from longago, so I'm going with the Packers. they are long overdue and it's great to seethem back in the big one!

NEAL MCDONOUGH, actor: Green Bay by 1. the score will be in the low 20s.Aaron Rodgers is just too darn good.

TED MCGINLEY, actor: Pittsburgh, 28-17. once again, I'm rooting for ateam I don't think will win. I believe Pittsburgh is just too strong on defenseand Roethlisberger will make the difference offensively.

MOVER SCOTT, singer/actor, Imagination Movers: Pittsburgh, 24-21. I wonmy fantasy football league this season with Mendenhall and big Ben on my roster,so I've got to give a little props (and payback) and pick the Steelers towin.

SCOTT TUROW, author: Pittsburgh, 19-17. Because I'm a Bears fan, it'svery hard to root for the Packers. on paper it looks like one of the closestgames in years.

JODI PICOULT, author: Green Bay, 24-21. my son's ballroom partner is fromWisconsin and has tickets to the game!

LEROY NEIMAN, artist: Pittsburgh, 24-21. Because they beat the Jets soconvincingly.

HALEY JOEL OSMENT, actor: Green Bay, 27-21. Aaron Rodgers will propel thePackers to victory, with Clay Matthews' defense just barely keeping BenRoethlisberger in check.

JENNA USHKOWITZ, actress, "Glee": Pittsburgh.

MATT CZUCHRY, actor, "The good Wife": Green Bay, 24-17. I think the mostfun I have with the Super Bowl is I always bet my brother,and we always betevery single year. every year it's an annual thing, my brother and I, and Iusually win, so I look forward to winning again.

RAINN WILSON, actor, "The Office": Pittsburgh.

ANGELA KINSEY, actress, "The Office": Green Bay, 27-13. I kind of loveGreen Bay because they just have so much heart. I love the Super Bowl; it's goodclean fun. Sometimes I'll go to a party or whatnot. It depends now on mydaughter's nap schedule. she trumps everything. She'll trump the Super Bowl ifshe's meant to.

KATE FLANNERY, actress, "The Office": Pittsburgh, 21-7. the Steelers arepretty amazing this year. I don't know; I'm not sure. I'm from Pennsylvania, soI'm going to pick the Steelers.

EVA LA RUE, actress, "CSI: Miami": Pittsburgh, 28-14. Don't know why. I'ma girl.

PATRICK WARBURTON, actor, "Rules of Engagement": Green Bay, 27-24. I likethat the Packers are a city-owned team. the fans own the team. I like the wholeorganization. They've got more heart than anyone else out there. I also likeAaron Rodgers. a real talent, but more importantly, he seems to be a goodperson.

STEPHEN ROOT, actor: Green Bay, 17-14. An all-defensive battle with AaronRodgers leading a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter for the Packerswin.

GORDON CLAPP, actor:Pittsburgh, 38-16. the Steelers will run upthe score in the second half over the road-weary Packers and nab theirrecord-seventh Lombardi trophy. they will do it by keeping the Packers offbalance with a solid running game and quick strikes through the air.

SHEILA KELLEY, actress: Pittsburgh, 32-26. why? Have you ever tried topick up a steel girder? exactly, thought not. what is a Packer, anyway?

JESSE L. MARTIN, actor: Green Bay, 38-35. There's no wind in Dallas (siteof the Super Bowl). that favors Green Bay.

SCOTT WOLF, actor, "V": Green Bay, 27-17. Aaron Rodgers is in one ofthose rare zones where he looks like he can't lose. He will be at the top of hisgame, like he was against my new York Giants at the end of the regular season.that will make the Packers unbeatable.

TONY SIRICO, actor, "The Sopranos": Green Bay, 30-28. Better offense.

TOBIN BELL, Jigsaw in "Saw" movies: Pittsburgh, 24-14. they are toophysical for the Packers.

JOE MANGANIELLO, actor, "True Blood": Pittsburgh, 27-17.

DAN LAURIA, portraying Vince Lombardi in Broadway play, "Lombardi": GreenBay, 31-14. Packers big! It's not going to be as close as the experts think. Thecoach is going to do his magic.

MARIO LOPEZ, actor: Pittsburgh, 21-17. my bro Roethlisberger is a gamer,and he finds ways to win, and even though they lost their starting Pro Bowlcenter, (Maurkice) Pouncey, I'm gonna go with the Steelers.

LAMAR ODOM, forward for NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers: Pittsburgh,because they've been there before.

JIM COURIER, tennis star: Pittsburgh, 24-17. I'm feeling an upset.

BOB BRYAN, half of the world's no. 1-ranked tennis doubles team:Pittsburgh, 24-17. my wife went to Pitt Law and she's made me a fan of theteam.

SCOTT ADAMS, cartoonist, "Dilbert": Green Bay by 7. I use a form ofpaper-rock-scissors when picking winners for the Super Bowl. Obviously you canpack steel, but you can't steel pack.

TED GIANNOULAS, aka SAN DIEGO CHICKEN: Green Bay, 31-26. the Pack isback. their legs are young, rambunctious and jelling at once, and Aaron Rodgers'mobility skill outwits the Steelers, who are hobbled with key injuries.

JAMES DENTON, actor, "Desperate Housewives": I don't really care.Pitchers and catchers report to spring training next week.