Roger Bennett, the founder and co‑host of the independent media venture Men in Blazers, has turned a cramped hotel basement in Atlanta into a command center for World Cup coverage. For weeks he has been living on a schedule that stretches from predawn briefings to midnight tapings, a rhythm sustained by a steady stream of Americanos and the occasional cold beer.
The intensity of his routine is matched only by the emotional swings that come with each match. Bennett describes the exhilaration of a last‑minute goal, the sting of a sudden exit, and the personal resonance of a loss that hit close to home when his father passed away on Independence Day.
A Culinary Tour of the Tournament
A typical day ends with two dinners, often sourced from the city’s vibrant food scene. He has sampled everything from Icelandic Provisions coffee‑flavored skyr to salmon pita, chicken‑tinga burros, and lemon‑pepper wet chicken wings, while also indulging in chicken and waffles at Busy Bee and the “Smothered & Covered” special at Waffle House.
His culinary map stretches beyond Atlanta. Through the Men in Blazers “City Guides” program, fans have pointed him toward spots like Antico Pizza, Home Grown, and Fox Bros. Barbecue, where he has tasted everything from local specialties to international twists. He even explored an immersive auditorium called Cosm, where the World Cup’s drama unfolds on a massive screen.
Beyond the plate, Bennett reflects on the broader cultural impact of the tournament, noting how the World Cup stitches together fans from England, Argentina, Cape Verde, and Mexico’s Azteca Stadium into a shared narrative. He speaks of the joy of hearing Killer Mike’s commentary, the camaraderie with colleagues like Jordan Henderson and Jesse Marsch, and the bittersweet memory of the U.S. team’s Round of 16 departure.
Through coffee‑stained notebooks and a calendar marked by early mornings and late nights, Bennett’s story is a testament to the demanding yet rewarding life of a sports journalist who must balance relentless work with the simple pleasures of a well‑earned meal.