By
Madison Pollard
Madison Pollard
Reporter
Youth
Journalism International
Journalism International
LONDON — I will be the
first to admit that I have only seen one previous Super Bowl, and that was XLV.
As a Steelers fan in London, I stayed up faithfully until 4 a.m. with my
sister, a Packers fan, only to have my hopes dashed.
first to admit that I have only seen one previous Super Bowl, and that was XLV.
As a Steelers fan in London, I stayed up faithfully until 4 a.m. with my
sister, a Packers fan, only to have my hopes dashed.
So, this year, we have
decided to make it a tradition. I’m rooting for the Giants while Caroline roots
for the Patriots.
decided to make it a tradition. I’m rooting for the Giants while Caroline roots
for the Patriots.
But why? To be honest, we
only partly watch it all for the sport.
only partly watch it all for the sport.
Don’t get me wrong, I love
American football, but that isn’t the reason I stay up until the early hours of
the morning when I have to face school.
American football, but that isn’t the reason I stay up until the early hours of
the morning when I have to face school.
For us, the Super Bowl is
an amazing representation of America. Everything is big, over-the-top and
showy. The Super Bowl is a spectacle of patriotism, with most of America tuning
in to watch. It’s a chance to hang out with friends, party, and perhaps even
watch the football.
an amazing representation of America. Everything is big, over-the-top and
showy. The Super Bowl is a spectacle of patriotism, with most of America tuning
in to watch. It’s a chance to hang out with friends, party, and perhaps even
watch the football.
While I’m not a particular
sports fan, I do love to watch the teams, with dedication, at the end of a long
season, giving it their all in the hopes of winning.
sports fan, I do love to watch the teams, with dedication, at the end of a long
season, giving it their all in the hopes of winning.
Admittedly, for me, there
is a secondary reason for watching: I want to go into advertising, and the
Super Bowl is the perfect opportunity to see what the world’s biggest brands
are doing. A 30-second advertisement during the Super Bowl costs an average of $3.5
million.
is a secondary reason for watching: I want to go into advertising, and the
Super Bowl is the perfect opportunity to see what the world’s biggest brands
are doing. A 30-second advertisement during the Super Bowl costs an average of $3.5
million.
So is the Super Bowl truly a sports event?
I believe it is.
Yes, there is the
spectacle, with celebrities singing the National Anthem and the half-time
performances of people such as Madonna and U2.
spectacle, with celebrities singing the National Anthem and the half-time
performances of people such as Madonna and U2.
But it all boils down to
the fact that there are two teams that have worked unbelievably hard to get to
where they are.
the fact that there are two teams that have worked unbelievably hard to get to
where they are.
So, yes, we could focus on
the great expense that goes into the Super Bowl. Each player and staff member of
the winning team – 150 people in total – receives a diamond-encrusted ring,
estimated to be worth $5,000. You could focus on the materialism and the showy
displays.
the great expense that goes into the Super Bowl. Each player and staff member of
the winning team – 150 people in total – receives a diamond-encrusted ring,
estimated to be worth $5,000. You could focus on the materialism and the showy
displays.
But, you could, and this
is just a suggestion, focus instead on the amazing sport that takes place. Just
an idea.
is just a suggestion, focus instead on the amazing sport that takes place. Just
an idea.
