The National Holiday

by John Fontana on Feb 5, 2006 9:42 AM EST

Today is an unofficial national holiday here in the United States...

It's the last Sunday that a majority of the male populace in this country can be excused to slip into a cro-magnon state while watching a dual-sided offensive war -- one to score and one to gain control -- with a weird shaped ball. The Europeans call it gridiron, the Spanish speaking populace call it futbol norte Americano... Spouses tend to call it a pain in the ass and consider it the last throes of a disease that their husbands/boyfriends have suffered from since September (or August if said husbands can even get obsessive during pre-season games... and don't even tip me off about training camp).

It's Super Bowl Sunday...

Now covered in marketing (prospective future blockbuster movie previews! Chic marketing campaigns! Entertainment! Overdone pre and post game broadcasts! Odd competing events!) the Super Bowl has come a long way from it's humble beginings as the NFL/AFL Title game. The league is expecting over 1 billion viewers worldwide, ABC is bracing for the FCC, and the fans? Well the fans are about to see only their second Super Bowl in the past five years not to feature the New England Patriots.

Don't even think to order food via delievery for or during the game tomorrow - it'll be hours late.

It's a tradition! It's a holiday! It's god-damned overdone! It's Super Bowl Sunday! The last major milestone between New Years and Spring Training! :-p

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The NFL and lazy media bandy about that one billion number like it was truth. One billion is the potential. In truth, less than 100 million watch the Super Bowl. 88 million watch in the US. 3 million in Canada. Perhaps (and that’s a big stretch) another 10 million watch it in other parts of the world. A silly F1 motor race attracts about 90 million around the world. The only one-off event that can realistically claim that one billion number is the World Cup. Everything else – including the Olympics – is a pretender.

by bobo on Feb 5, 2006 10:57 AM EST reply actions

You can’t forget the chicks who love football and can’t wait to watch the game! We may be a small minority, but we love the game (just not as much as hockey)!

by Christy on Feb 5, 2006 10:58 AM EST reply actions

Bobo, I was thinking what you ended up posting (about the 1 billion number) while I was writing the post. Certainly 1 Billion will not be watchign this game live through the world. It’ll be various times on Monday where most people will be when the game is broadcast — with a huge contingent either asleep or busy getting ready for work/at work.

And Christy (good to see you feelign better) you do have a point… There is a good number of female die-hards out there as well…

by John F. on Feb 5, 2006 12:23 PM EST reply actions

one billion people may not watch the Super Bowl but today is the second biggest beer guzzling day of the year (behind only the 4th of July) and beating out St Patty’s day. beer sales see a $150 M spike this week.

story

by ski on Feb 5, 2006 5:13 PM EST reply actions