"SUPER BOWL IN MAY?"

…That was the heading on a chart with last Thursday’s (May 14) New York Times business section front-page story on the much-anticipated finale of "Seinfeld." The Times said it was the first time in television advertising history that the interest in the final episode of a television series could be compared to the titan of TV – the Super Bowl. "The characteristics of the Super Bowl being displayed by the ‘Seinfeld Bowl’ include a record commercial price…expectations of a giant audience and efforts to present (commercial) spots that viewers will judge to be special," wrote The Times. "It has turned out to be quite an event," said LIZ SILVER of Visa U.S.A., one of the show’s advertisers, "comparable in many ways to a Super Bowl." "Comparable," but not quite. Super Bowl XXXII this past January pulled a 44.5 rating and 67 share, the final "Seinfeld" a 41.3 rating and 58 share – not that there’s anything wrong with that!

COPS CAPTURE GUNNERS

It’s a safe bet there were no security problems last Friday night (May 15) in Washington, D.C. when police from New York City took on those of Houston in the first National Public Safety Football League Super Bowl. New York’s Finest – undefeated in five years – topped the Houston Police Department Gunners 27-15. The Finest had seven sacks, led by officer – and defensive end -- KEN PEPE with one-and-a-half. The Finest gave the game ball to offensive lineman AL FERRISO, a 17-year veteran of the team. Former New York Police Commissioner RAY KELLY, now undersecretary of enforcement for the Treasury Department, presented the championship trophy to New York head coach PETE MOOG. The 14-team National Public Safety Football League is composed of police and fire squads throughout the United States.

WOMAN LINEBACKER EXCELS IN SACKS…AND SCHOOL

The numbers on SYRIETA BARD: 5-3, 145, 3.85. That’s the Philadelphia schoolgirl’s height and weight as a linebacker on the "boys’" team, and her grade-point average as a student. The University City High School sophomore was one of 165 high school football players who attained at least 3.0 GPAs and were saluted recently by the Philadelphia Eagles in conjunction with Philadelphia Futures, a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping youngsters in school. Since Syrieta posted the highest average among the gridders in her school, she joins 25 other high school players who are invited to visit Eagles’ training camp for a day this summer. Eagles owner JEFFREY LURIE and wide receiver IRVING FRYAR handed out the awards at the ceremonies. "I’ve always loved football," said Syrieta. "Watching it. Playing it. I love everything about it. There were some tough moments, but I had the support from my teammates, coaches and family." And now the Philadelphia Eagles.