The world has been in turmoil, and the NFL delivers a day of respite from it. The economy has been in the tank, and the NFL has been there for us. The possibility of a great game. The always faithful commercials which deliver us from our depths and from perhaps a bad game to make us laugh.
So, what is a Super Bowl like when football itself is the eye of the storm? Spousal abuse, child abuse, brain damage from concussions, paralysis, player arrogance on display daily, and cheating the game.... all issues the game touched this year. To make matters worse, it started the year already under scrutiny and these issues were magnified under a microscope. The commissioner, a learned man, handled these matters poorly at best and is being asked to have his head handed to him on a silver platter (a la John the Baptist to Herod's wife).
Well, football used the big game to try to heal the wounds. Commercials were somber. We had JFK's voice-over with a famous talk in which he talks of our origins and our link to the sea. We had commercials asking us not to stereo-type girls (the "throw like a girl" commercial). We were privileged to hear a 9-11 call of a woman being abused. I just watched it at home with my wife, but I can imagine the parties, if they were like those I've been too, where everyone gets quiet to watch a much anticipated commercial, and what it was like when one of those came on. Chip in hand with dip on chip and dip on chip drips to the floor as the mouth falls open. A lull. Perhaps someone says, "Hmmm." Yes. Real downers. We even had an ad, in a format carefully regulated by both network and the NFL, which questioned the Pete Rose ban in baseball. Hey, stick to your own sport!
The world's most prosperous nation with freedoms never enjoyed by any other nation before it or even now seems to be the most introspective guilt-ridden nation in the world. Sometimes I just don't get it. Sure, life has its problems, and it is great that a moment where we all come together is used to perhaps posit thoughts for us to ponder...but come on, this is the Super Bowl.
Average Beer Guy was not really looking forward to the game. The two coaches of the team are questionable in character, so I went to the roster. The Patriots tout, currently, a Tech player and two UH alum, and Tom Brady's story is always a good reminder of good things coming to those who wait (never started at any level until the staring QB in New England was injured). The game was close, and the ending was classic. So, I was glad we took time to watch it.
The beer Average Guy drank during the game? Can you believe it was Miller Lite? It is a beer that goes well with just about anything on the menu. It is light in both alcohol and taste, so you can sip on it during the game. Yes, for me, my mass-produced beer of choice, is Miller Lite. Sure it is like drinking water, but every now and then, water is what is called for.
It is worth noting that the president enjoyed a home brew in a pregame interview. I didn't get to hear it, but I did see the carboy with the bubbler on the table as he was interviewed and then shared a brew with the interviewer. Average Guy will share that when it is found.
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