Purple All Day

by Brent Hartzell and George Barany

This puzzle was released on the day of an important gridiron rematch in the first round of the 2012 NFL playoffs.

Click here to view or download the main "mid-week level" puzzle in PDF format; here to download it as a puz file; here to download it as an ipuz file [requires the free Puzzazz app to solve]; here to solve the puzzle interactively (thanks to Jim Horne); here for the solution. Click here for a more challenging "late-week level" version of the puzzle, here for the puz file, here to download it as an ipuz file, here for interactive play, and here for the solution. All five theme entries are the same, but about 20% of the answer words are different, and some of the clues have been toughened up as well.

If you want to tell others about this particular page, refer them to
http://tinyurl.com/purplepuz

Followup: This puzzle has a sequel: Skol is Out, quite difficult despite its miniature size. Also, click here for a slide show that summarizes the main theme of the present puzzle.

More puzzles here (all), here (sports), and here (tributes).

E-mail barany@umn.edu to be added to a bcc distribution list.