It’s Just a Game…

Well, it’s a HUGE game for football fans and even for those who aren’t football fans. It’s a reason to party and pull out those festive foods…wings, chili, pizza, and more.   Even though I’m not a sports person, I did watch some of the pre-game festivities and fixed myself a charcuterie platter for my one-person Super Bowl party.

I like the stories of legacies, of rookies, and of Cinderella teams/players.  I enjoy the silliness of the commentators on a fake field prop, imitating plays they predict will be part of the game.  Like many, I look forward to the creative commercials, the pre-game National Anthem, and the halftime show.

This year was no exception…I looked forward to all of these things.  I hesitated to produce this blog post because I know it will stir controversy.  So let me say…this is my opinion and we are all entitled to our opinions…right?

Start with the celebration of the 100 years of NFL history…the coaches, the players, some on video screens, some on golf carts, and some in wheelchairs.  I got a little weepy.   Then, the coin toss with one of the Tuskegee Airmen…I got a little more weepy.

Then we had God Bless America with a singer I didn’t know and a children’s choir in the background.  Enter Demi Lovato for The National Anthem.  She did a great job, but I wish I could have watched the sign language presenter.  The couple of times they showed her, she was definitely an artist in motion…very passionate with her craft.

After all the pre-game festivities, the game started and with the game comes the first commercial.  It was for Secret deodorant for women.  By now, you’ve either heard about it or seen it.  I thought it was great.  However, it seems like there is another group that was sorely disappointed that they used successful World Soccer Women to portray the potential of women playing football some day.  I looked at it as a sweet surprise to a football themed commercial.  I didn’t recognize the players and I’m willing to bet there were others who didn’t recognize them either.  I still say it was a good commercial and I can’t believe how controversial it became, literally minutes after it was shown.

Then there was a political commercial.  Regardless of the party, I prefer not to have my Super Bowl interrupted with commercials by presidential candidates.  I’d like it to be free of these things…don’t we have enough of those pesky ads happening these days?

I enjoyed the Alexa commercial with Ellen Degeneres…"I wonder what they did before Alexa?" And then there are a variety of situations without Alexa.  I think that was pretty darn funny.  I also enjoyed the P & G commercial and when "we all come together"…featuring Bounty, Head & Shoulders, Old Spice, Charmin, etc…I did enjoy that message!!

The Hyundai commercial with the “Smaht Pahk” car…the super heavy Boston accents…too funny!  Other commercials were funny, some not so much, and “Be the One” with female coach Katie Sowers from the 49ers was another good one for the soul. 

So…commercials were a hit with most.  But Lordy, the halftime show has everyone debating again!  I think most agree the musical talent is there, but the pole dancing has become the dark cloud over J-Lo.  I marveled at the dancing but I understand the disappointment with some women…watching commercials that showed empowered women, then watching women on stage twerking and pole dancing.  Some have said it was inappropriate, degrading, and not family friendly.  AHHHH!!  Regardless of your opinion, we have options to turn it off or boycott if you wish.  I'm fairly certain that most of the people who fussed about it will not stop drinking Pepsi or will continue to tune in next year, like every other year.  For those of you who do back your words with actions, I respect you.  To me, I've practically forgotten most of what I saw...except for all of the Facebook posts reminding me.  Isn't that what the advertisers and companies want?  Constant chatter about their products?  Looks like a win for them!


I read an article about the halftime show not being family friendly and I was reminded that not many halftime shows can be considered family friendly.  The bottom line is we teach our children how to behave and how to react, not J-Lo or Shakira, or Adam Levine or Bruno Mars...and we teach them how to react.   Don't give the power to the TV!

I don’t have the answers…I just know that for everyone who thought it was distasteful, there are others who thought it was amazing.  Just like the commercials…some will look at them as dumb or pointless while others will think they are genius and hilarious.  Different points of view coming from where you are in your life.   Whatever your thoughts, I still remember…it’s just a game and it is a game with entertainment as a side bar.  As always, remember, if we all thought the same, it sure would be boring!

Give me a good old Clydesdale commercial and an Earth, Wind & Fire halftime and I’m good to go!!  And of course a good charcuterie platter too!!!

Hopefully, you enjoyed the day…food, company, and entertainment!  Way to go Kansas City Chiefs!!