How To Watch the Super Bowl
How To Watch the Super Bowl
For me, there are three major components to watching the Super Bowl. The company and atmosphere around you, the food being consumed, and who are you rooting for. The Super Bowl is basically a national holiday; the only thing missing is a national day off on Super Bowl Monday… I’ll save that argument for another day.
Let’s start with the company and atmosphere. This includes everything from the people around you, the location you’re in, and the TV you’re watching on. Some of the more popular options include watching at a bar or watching at a party (excluding attending the event in person, obviously). Personally, I am a fan of watching at a party with friends and family. The Super Bowl is an excuse to hang out with friends you may not normally see and more importantly watch a great football game. I would prefer to be comfortable on a couch watching the game, cheering and making comments with people I am comfortable with.
The food. The food is another important part of the game. For a lot of people, diet starts after the New Year. For football fans, diet starts after the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl allows people to enjoy all types of food. People consume everything from pizza, to wings, to hot dogs, to burgers, to sandwiches, to chips and dip, to mac and cheese… you name it, it can be served at the party. Places all around America even have specials around this time specifically for your Super Bowl parties… Different combinations for prices you do not regularly see.
Now… The most important part of this day is the game itself. The super bowl will regularly feature the two best teams in the league and result in a very close game down to the wire. I cannot remember a Super Bowl that was a blow out (outside of the Panthers and Broncos a few years ago).
Who are you rooting for? The most interesting thing is not everyone has a dog in the fight but yet it is one of the most watched events in the United States. There is thirty-two teams in the National Football League and only two make it to this point. If you’re a fan of one of those two teams… lucky you! The decision is easy. As for the rest of us… we have to find reasons to pick a side or find other things to root for. People can find ways to root for teams in so many different ways. Rooting for the team that eliminated you from the playoffs, rooting for players you like, rooting or even rooting for the team wearing your favorite color. Some people may find it easier to root against teams. Rooting against a division rival, rooting against a team you hate or… rooting against the leagues super team that you’re sick of seeing in the Super Bowl. Some people are so sick of the Patriots they don’t care who they are playing. Me… Personally… As a Giants fan, I am rooting for the Patriots. The Patriots reign in the NFL does not bother me as much due to the fact we were able to knock them off the throne…TWICE! Another notch in the Brady/Belichick era only makes those two titles even more important! Maybe a pathetic reason, but as I mentioned earlier… people will use anything to help them pick a side. Some people may root for the Rams to see a change in the league. For all, we know the Goff, Gurley, McVay combo might be the next big thing and could be regulars in the NFC championship for years to come. Those three guys will be around a long time and are surely building up playoff experience and confidence.
If you can’t choose there are other ways to find something to root for. For fans, there are so many games inside the game. You can go to your local restaurant, your office, and even the party you are attending and find different types of pools. One game most people play are boxes. You basically get two numbers and those numbers correlate with the last number in each teams score. For example, if you have Patriots 4, Rams 8… you will find yourself rooting for certain outcomes that may make your score possible. If the score was Patriots 24 / Rams 21, you will be rooting for a Rams touchdown and PAT. Other games include pools where you answer random questions throughout the game like, what will be the outcome of the coin toss? Who will score the first touchdown? Will Tom Brady throw a touchdown or interception first? Will there be a safety? What color will the Gatorade be? These questions can go in a million different directions and keep you involved all night.
Whatever you are doing… be safe, be smart, have fun, and enjoy some good old American football. After all, you are dedicating your day to watching the best game of the year!
-By: Pete Gallagher