Reflections on Superbowl Sunday

Texans love their football, and on the second Sunday in February the rest of the country is not far behind on the Pigskin Zeal Register. "Superbowl Sunday" has taken on holiday status, and this past weekend saw gatherings of families and friends across the nation for Superbowl XLIV. (I THINK that's the Roman numeral for 44, right?). Everyone has figured out that it's much more fun to scream and cheer in a crowd, and divided loyalties only add to the fun.

The Saints and Colts gave everyone plenty to cheer or groan about on Sunday. It was a game where you had to stay for the end, which made for good parties. And if you didn't care WHO won, you could at least concede that the Saints' victory has given residents of New Orleans something to be deliriously happy about, and hey -- they were due.

Even churches have stopped fighting it. Evening services are often moved up a few hours to avoid a conflict with the game, or even cancelled altogether. Youth groups host Superbowl Parties so their kids can enjoy the game together. Preachers who are really big fans might trade their suits coats for team jerseys. Football analogies were peppered into sermons, and it's been rumored that, locally, one prayer from the pulpit actually began, "Go Saints"...

Superbowl parties even cater to those in the crowd who couldn't tell a first down from a touchdown. My daughter-inlaw claims she was looking forward to the party she attended "for the food!" and many people admit that they tune in "just for the commercials". And there are PLENTY of those in a Superbowl. The game's sponsors spend a pretty penny for the prime time spots and always bring out their best new ads. They know their audience, though, so the themes seem to fall into the categories of cheesey/silly or downright tacky. (I liked the one with 87-year-old "Golden Girls" actress Betty White playing in a pick-up game, trash-talking and getting slammed into the mud on a tackle. Others I didn't get at all, and WHAT, pray tell, was the obsession with whitey-tighties in so many of this year's ads?)

The Superbowl is now behind us and football officially over for awhile. Now a word to the wise: Guys, she watched your game. Now don't forget the OTHER holiday in February. This Sunday is Valentine's Day!