PAGING MR. MVP Don’t look for Ryan at NFL Honors show

When Matt Ryan looks on his career one day, this weekend has the potential to sit at the top of all others.

On Saturday night, there’s a chance Ryan will be announced as the NFL’s MVP. The next day, he and the Falcons will play New England in the Super Bowl. But it should be obvious that Ryan values one event over the other, and that he won’t be walking on the red carpet Saturday at NFL Honors.

Asked Thursday whether he would attend the awards event, Ryan laughed and responded: “No. We’ve got our routine on Saturday night. I was there last year. It’s a great event. They do a great job with it. But we’ll be in our normal routine on Saturday.”

A television reporter persisted, saying, “But you might win. How would you find out if you won?”

Answer: “Uh, I’m sure I’ll find out one way or another. We’ve got something a little bit bigger the following day that we’re all going after. I think that’s where my focus will be.”

He chose well.

PRIME TIME’S TAKE Why do people hate Tom Brady?

Former Falcons (and Braves) player turned analyst Deion Sanders was among the NFL Network personalities who met with reporters today. One of the questions he received was rather succinct: “Why do people hate Tom Brady?” Sanders wasn’t having it. “You can’t speak for people. I’m a person. I don’t hate Tom Brady,” he said of the New England Patriots quarterback. “Players don’t hate Tom Brady. We love Tom Brady — past and present. I don’t agree with that statement. Hate is a strong word. Hate is such a violent word.”

Although he played with a number of teams during his career Sanders said he considers himself a Falcon. But he declined to rank players or give predictions regarding Sunday’s game.

“That’s Dionne Warwick, not Sanders,” he quipped, referencing the singer who once hosted the Psychic Friends Network.

HALFTIME CROONING Lady Gaga, Bennett together again

Wherever there is Lady Gaga, there is often Tony Bennett, and that will be the case during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The pop singer’s mentor will make a special appearance during the 10-second countdown to Gaga’s performance — on video, that is — and he also provided the “Born This Way” hitmaker with some advice.

“(Tony) always encourages me to just tell the story of the song. My friendship with him is one of the most valuable things to me. He’s an incredibly wise man,” Lady Gaga said from the podium during her Thursday afternoon news conference to discuss her halftime show.

As expected, she wanted to keep most of the details secret. Although an Instagram post Wednesday included a bee emoji — leading some to speculate it was a winking hint that Houston native Beyonce might make a guest appearance — Gaga said not to read anything into it.

She did, however, send flowers to her fellow pop diva yesterday when she heard the pregnancy heard-round-the-world news.

Sporting a red, blue and grey ensemble with matching shoes, Lady Gaga, who is the first back-to-back Super Bowl performer (she handled the national anthem last year) fielded questions from a couple of celebrity interviewers.

Terry Bradshaw called her, “the biggest star I’ve ever looked at,” and brought an autographed football over to Gaga’s mom, Cynthia, who was seated in the front row along with Papa Gaga, Joe Germanotta.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles wanted to know about the level of athletic ability in Gaga’s performance (rumor has it there will be a roof involved), but the singer deflected again, only confirming that it’s “an incredibly athletic show.”

The diminutive Biles also had some advice — “Make sure you have fun and remember all of your memories.”

One thing we won’t see on Gaga on Sunday — that infamous meat dress. Or a wardrobe malfunction (if you recall, Houston was the site of the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake scandal in 2004).

“Everything is going to be nice and tight for the game,” she said.

STAR-STRUCK A news conference to remember

In 2008, ESPN hired the British soccer analyst Andy Gray to do color commentary for Euro 2008. At the risk of divulging too much information, let me say that I’m a pushover for European soccer and especially British commentary. I had the vague notion of writing something about Gray’s across-the-pond role, and I contacted the PR folks at the Worldwide Leader.

Sure enough, Andy and I had what I considered a bang-up phone chat. (He probably considered it the worst 20 minutes of his life.) I could have listened to him all day — he has a wonderful Glaswegian brogue — but finally I took mercy on him and signed off. And, long story made in no way short, I never wrote a word about it. Just couldn’t figure a way to make it work for the local audience.

I related this encounter to my family over dinner, saying, “I’m kind of sorry for wasting his time, but I’m not that sorry — I really enjoyed talking with him.” And Daughter No. 1 looked at me sternly and said, “Dad, you need to be using your powers for good.”

That’s kind of how I felt here Thursday as we awaited Lady Gaga’s appearance at a midday news conference. On hand for the ol’ AJC were two photographers, one videographer, one music critic and the inimitable Jennifer Brett. Esteemed sports colleague Darryl Orlando Ledbetter also was in the room, hunkered down in Row 2. There was no need for me. But I went. Because — again risking TMI — I really like Lady Gaga.

If you’re asking, “Do you own any of her albums?”, the answer is yes. If you’re asking, “Could you sing the words to any of her songs?”, it’s yes again. (Tie between “Paparazzi” and “Poker Face,” both off “The Fame,” for my favorite.) Have you heard her latest release? Yes indeed. (And “Joanne” is excellent.)

What can I say? That my attendance was born less of journalistic duty than of being a big dumb fan? Well, yes. But I make no apology. I wanted to be there. I’m glad I was there.

Did I take photos on my phone? Yes. Did she come across as charming and clever and, dare I say, lovely? Yes, but I expected no less. Was I thrilled when D-Led rose to ask which team she picked to win? Absolutely. (She said she’d write her choice and put in her shoe and show it to us after her halftime show.)

LATE FORECAST Ryan predicts victory; (of course, he didn’t)

Thursday represented the final Super Bowl pregame interaction between the media and the players — much to the relief of all involved.

So we suggested to Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan that this was his last chance to say something controversial, something that would establish his place in Super Bowl history regardless of how Sunday’s game plays out.

If he really worked at it, he could be Joe Namath predicting a victory by poolside in the third Super Bowl.

Or, he could be Jim McMahon mooning a news helicopter in the 20th.

All I was asking was for Ryan to say his team clearly was three touchdowns better than the Patriots or that Tom Brady was more overrated than Adam Sandler.

Alas, he decided to take another tact. He decided to keep being Matt Ryan.

“I think you guys know well enough that through the thousands of interviews we’ve done this year, that probably is not going to happen,” he said, chuckling.

That led to the broader question of how the Falcons — such newbies to the Super Bowl experience compared with the New England Patriots — have handled the nonsense of this game. That is a potential factor, given that while their coach is an old hand at this stuff, only five Falcons have previous Super Bowl experience (none of them starters).

On that topic, Ryan was much more expansive.

He sounded genuinely pleased with the preparations for Sunday, which should give some aid and comfort to Falcons fans.

“I think our guys have done a great job,” he said.

“Obviously this part of the week is different from what we normally deal with, but I think we’ve got a group that’s focused on the right things, a group that understands we have this (media) obligation and to do it professionally.

“But at the same time when (the offfield chores are) done, they’re done. And it’s time to get to work and take care of business. I think our guys have had the right mindset the entire week. When it’s been time to do this (interviews), we’ve done it. And when it’s time to get to work we’ve been able to check in and focus. I’m proud of our guys for that.”

Super Bowl Gospel Celebration: Although Atlanta claims Lecrae now, he is a Houston native, so it’s no surprise that he’s among the headliners of this event, which heads into its 18th year. Also on the bill: Natalie Grant, CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams. 7:30 p.m. Lakewood Church, 3700 Southwest Freeway. $25-$75. ticketmaster.com.

ATL Invasion: Rise up! Ludacris and Big Boi are bringing some hip-hop from the Dirty South to cheer on the Dirty Birds. They’ll be joined by D J Don Cannon. 8 p.m. Funplex, 13700 Beechnut St. Tickets start at $40. eventbrite.com.

Bruno Mars: Mr. “24K Magic” will get a jump on his summer tour by packing a standing-room-only crowd into the 62,500-square-foot, multilevel pop-up Club Nomadic. 9 p.m. Sawyer Yards off Edwards Street. $225. ticketmaster.com.

Leon Bridges: The soulful R&B throwback, who impressed mightily at his Music Midtown appearance last fall, takes the stage at Super Bowl Live. 9:15 p.m. Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com.

Snoop Dogg: Prepare for a long night, since the rap veteran plans to spin a D J set before playing live. 8 p.m. Proof Rooftop Lounge, 2600 Travis St. $50$175. eventbrite.com.

SATURDAY

Gary Clark Jr.: It’s just a couple of hours’ drive for the Austin native to get to Houston and unfurl his scintillating blues-rock guitar. 7:30 p.m. Super Bowl Live, Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com.

Travis Scott and D J Khaled: Maxim hosts this shindig featuring Houston-based hip-hop artist Scott and the Snapchat King himself, D J Khaled. Tickets include admission, food and bar beverages. 8 p.m. Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, 18111 Lexington Blvd. Tickets start at $750. smartfinancialcentre.net.

ZZ Top: And speaking of Texans, how could there be a Super Bowl in Houston without the inclusion of the “Tres Hombres”? Of course, they’ll be there. 9 p.m. Super Bowl Live, Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com.

Taylor Swift: Perhaps THE concert of the week, depending upon your musical tastes. Fans can access concert tickets through various DirecTV and AT&T promotions. 9 p.m. Club Nomadic, Sawyer Yards off Edwards Street.

Lil Wayne: Calling it the “Undisputed Super Party,” the New Orleans rapper has enlisted D J Drama and D J Green Lantern to assist, as well as not-yet-announced celebrity friends. 9 p.m. Ayva Center, 9371 Richmond Ave. Tickets start at $75. eventbrite.com.

SUNDAY

French Montana and Amber Rose: This viewing party kicks off midafternoon on game day and will also feature the sounds procured by D J Duffey. 2 p.m. Proof Rooftop Lounge, 2600 Travis St. $50. eventbrite.com.