Writing about the Super Bowl was the farthest thing from my mind when I sat down to watch this year's half-time show. No fan of football, I only tune in for the entertainment. Last year I was glued to the TV for Paul McCartney but missed Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction because she and Justin Timberlake are not my cup of tea (naked or fully clothed). This year, the Rolling Stones were a must-see.

    I didn't get much satisfaction from the rough and tumble Stones forty years ago, (I preferred the more innocent Brits, the Beatles.) but watching the band's geriatric members during this year's half-time show was inspiring. That was not my father's generation of aging performer on stage. When Bing, Frank and Dean got older, they performed seated on a stool or piano bench, or leaning an elbow on a baby grand. And they always wore a coat and tie. But Mick Jagger strutted and carried on like a teenager. He was all over the place, with more moves than the players on the field. And his tight black, glittered tee shirt exposed abs that belied his 62 years.

    I commented on Mick's agility to my husband who snapped, "Well, he is wearing tennis shoes." Let's get one thing straight: my husband and Mick are the same age and my husband takes good care of himself, but he and I both know-tennies or ballet slippers--there is no way he could prance and dance around a stage like Mick Jagger did for 12 minutes on Super Bowl Sunday. "No offense, honey," I told him, "but tennis shoes are not the secret to Mick's moves."

    According to Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, a researcher on aging, "Rock and roll keeps them young." Cohen's observation could explain Keith Richards' comment, "We're taking the place of the old marching band, really . . . I said let's do it because I hear the band gets to meet the cheerleaders." (Last year, music channel VH1 voted Mr. Richards, also 62, "Rocks Biggest Hell-raiser.")

    With ABC's five second tape delay in place and the NFL's agreement with Mick Jagger that they would shut his microphone down for one second in two of his songs--to save the audience from hearing words the NFL deemed inappropriate--the band still rocked. But I wondered what happens after a performance such as theirs. Once they're out of sight, are the band members carted to their dressing rooms in wheel chairs and rubbed down with Ben-gay? Do they have a team trainer, like the football players, to wrap and ice their tired, worn out limbs?

    With these questions in mind, I did some checking. According to the CBS News website, Jagger told Britain's Daily Express newspaper, "He reformed himself about 15 years ago and has given up most alcohol." I learned he has a personal trainer and a dietician who travel with the band, that he (Jagger) swims, does kickboxing and runs eight miles a day in preparation for the band's tours. He also uses a gym to work out. Hmm . . . I think my husband is right. It must be the tennis shoes.