When I attended Super Bowl XXIII in 1989, still one of the greatest Super Bowl games ever, the face value of my ticket was $100. No one famous sang the national anthem or performed at halftime. That may have been the last year Super Sunday was just a football game.
It has become a cultural phenomenon having long ago transcended its status as just a football game, or even a sporting event. With tickets starting at around $5,000, and readily going on the secondary market at more than twice that, I can’t imagine being two years out of college and having such means… Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and 49ers will draw more than 100 million viewers from all over the world regardless of whether they are football fans.
Beyond the game itself, Country Music star, Reba McEntire will perform the national anthem, Contemporary R&B star, Usher will put on the halftime show, the most expensive commercials in the history of television will air, and you might even get a glimpse (or way too many) of Taylor Swift. The halftime shows and commercials have often attracted as much attention as the game and contribute to the overall spectacle of the event.
The Super Bowl is clearly much more than just a game on the second Sunday in February. It is a cultural phenomenon, an economic powerhouse, and a symbol of national pride and unity. In my experience, it serves as a communal experience bringing friends and families together to watch the game, enjoy food, and socialize. It has become an annual tradition for many fostering unity and camaraderie.
In 1989, Joe Montana led the 49ers on a 97-yard drive, completing 8 of 9 passes in the closing minutes to punctuate one of the most exciting finishes in Super Bowl history. I hope we see as competitive a game this Sunday as I enjoyed 34 years ago, but regardless of the score, I genuinely look forward to sharing the evening with friends and family. I hope you enjoy the same!
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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