BLOGS
I get it. The Super Bowl is a blown-out-of-proportion commercial consumergasm, and we should all be better than that. All of that is justified, but as a football fan and die-hard Super Bowl apologist (yes, even this year), I was tasked with coming up with 10 good reasons to sit through the lengthy shillfest. And believe me, there are 10 reasons to watch it. I swear! Read on and I promise to share my hot wings with you.
1. There might be boobs.
Hey, it happened once; anything's possible. Boobs are unpredictable things, and no one's exploited the proceedings with a nudity/publicity stunt in five years now. I'm no statistician or whatever, but I'm pretty sure that means there's a 100% chance that we're due for one. Personally, I'm hoping it's Max Weinberg's moobs.
2. You won't have to watch a controversy-baiting PETA ad.
You know that rejected PETA ad the Internet made you watch earlier this week? Well, the good news is the Super Bowl loves you more than the Internet does, and won't be airing it. So you can just avoid the whole manipulative, press-whoreish thing and focus on sincere ads that matter instead. Like Bud Lite ones.
3. It's a low-pressure year.
I'm bracing for a Pittsburgh comment backlash, but let's face it: on a national scale, not a whole lot of people care about the Cardinals or the Steelers, so if you're worried about annoyingly intense Super Bowl party attendees, I assure you, they're not going to be like they were in years past. So let's just get drunk and watch giant dudes hit each other, already!
4. It's just like Friday Night Lights! (It's nothing like Friday Night Lights.)
Well, the parts in Friday Night Lights where balls are thrown around and people are running into each other and there are cheerleaders and Applebee's product placements and stuff -- those parts are exactly like Friday Night Lights. And who doesn't love Friday Night Lights, right? Also, there's nothing wrong with cheering for a team that actually isn't fictional every once in a while.
5. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald: Totally the Jim and Pam of the NFL.
Assuming you're a TV fan who doesn't really follow football, let me explain the match made in heaven-ness that is Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Basically, this NFL season has been one huge, very successful prank pulled off by these two, and all the other teams and individual players in the NFL are Dwight, crying in the barn with Mose after figuring out that, no, the CIA is not actually recruiting them. I'm not saying Warner and Fitzgerald make out, I'm just saying if I were these two and had accomplished what they had together, I don't see how I'd manage to resist it.
6. You gotta earn that Office special, son!
Speaking of Jim and Pam, nothing makes an Office special taste sweeter than enduring three-and-a-half hours of holding flags and brand-spankin'-new Cheetos commercials before it.
7. Because if Bruce Springsteen performs on television and you don't watch, you're literally a terrorist.
C'mon, it's a blue-collar halftime show! Stop being so insensitive to the working man, you filthy bourgeois traitor. Who is also a terrorist.
8. Because what else are you going to watch?
You're right, there are a lot of better options on at this time. I mean, the Speed Channel's got a Pimp My Ride marathon!
9. Watching sports on TV counts as exercise.
There are totally studies on this, probably. Watching sports, cheering, punching walls over bad calls, lifting a beer to one's mouth, reaching for nachos -- all of these things are the road to a new, slimmer you in the new year.
10. Bob Costas is captivating.
Even if you hate football, when the game is on NBC you get to be hypnotized by that pint-sized lullaby of sports enthusiasm, Bob Costas, every few minutes. And since this is the Super Bowl and every second of play matters deeply to both teams, you can bet on frequent penalty flags and booth reviews, which just means extra time with Bob. Just pretend football is an Olympic sport or something. (Sidenote: Is football an Olympic sport? It better be, because one time Angel told me trampolining is even an Olympic sport.)
Will you be watching the big show? Sound off below.
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Sorry, but here's the backlash: Every year the Harris poll finds that NFL football is one of the most popular sports and the Steelers are one of the top three most popular teams, thus making them one of the most popular sports franchises. In addition, Scarborough sports marketing found out last year that the Steelers have far and away the biggest female fanbase for an NFL team.
Football is not an Olympic sport-- it's really popular here in the U.S., but not at all internationally.
But...but...Puppy Bowl!
Not just Puppy Bowl, Jenn - they're going to have a half-time show with kittens! Gold!
I'm a big Kurt Warner fan, so I'll be watching. Honestly, I ALWAYS watch the Super Bowl. It's the last real football game until September. MUST WATCH!
Yeah . . . I know I've seen ESPN-types say that the Steelers, not the Cowboys, are America's team. They're on national TV in the best time slots more than any other team, I believe. Also, if they win this year, they'll have the most Super Bowl wins of any team in the NFL. And they have die-hard fans spread all over the place. I'm not a Steelers fan, I'm just saying--that was factually not true.
Yeah, my first comment pertains to the United States only.
I watch every year...for the commericals. But this year, my beloved Black & Gold is going for a record 6 Super Bowl wins, so I'll actually pay attention to the game this time.
Okay wait - on a NATIONAL scale not a whole lot of people really cares about the Steelers? WHA? Okay, next time you watch the Steelers play ANYWHERE, you tell me how many faithful black & gold fans are waving their Terrible Towels in the stands. We are EVERYWHERE.
I think there's going to be a House marathon on USA on Sunday and I'd rather watch that.
Because ABC will air the WipeOut bowl during half time.
I'll sit through anything of it means the return of the big balls.
Oh man! Thanks for the Puppy Bowl reminder!! My dog LOVES that show!
Oh man! Thanks for the Puppy Bowl reminder!! My dog LOVES that show!
I don't follow football at all during the year, much to my brother's dismay, but I am capable of intense faux-fandom for the length of one game. And those shiny yellow pants are hypnotic.
Plus, Superbowl parties = good snacks, when all your friends are obsessive foodies!
Ha! Yeah, sorry to pile on, but the Steelers have one of the largest national fan bases, up there with the Cowboys and the Packers. There's a reason why Super Bowl XL was one of the highest-rated Super Bowls ever, and it wasn't because of the Seahawks.
There are lots of great stories in the Super Bowl this year, though -- Fitzgerald and Warner, Whisenhunt and Tomlin. And Bruce as the halftime show!
I also have to chime in about the Steelers. They're behind the Eagles and the Ravens for me, but I do think the Steelers ARE a pretty big deal for a lot of people. And they're going for six Super Bowl wins...that's pretty awesome.
It could have been worse--had the Eagles won, no one outside of Pennsylvania would care.
As a transplanted Pittsburgh Steelers fan now living in South Carolina, I have to say that I find supporters of the Black and Gold where ever I go. The Steelers represent a hard work ethic and real people facing real life challenges. We aren't flashy with trashy cheerleaders and drama filled super stars. We just like to win football games. Also, its important to note that this win will give us 6 Super Bowl wins. More than any other team in the history of the NFL. That's why it's worth watching this Sunday's game.
Count me in Alex!!!
Count me in Alex!!!
Granted, the Steelers don't have many players with national recognition (Roethlisberger isn't exactly a Manning brother), but the team as a whole does. Before last season, the most-watched Super Bowl was Dallas/Pittsburgh for a reason.
That being said...promoting both Jim and Pam and Friday Night Lights? Hmm...wonder what network is televising the Super Bowl.
How ya doin?
Tony and the boys are going to be having a marathon over on A&E.
It seems they're upset that their team didn't make it to the big one.
They insist that you watch them on A&E instead.
If you don't, Big Pussy will be paying you a visit.
Bada-bing!!!
The Steelers are one of the few (only?) family-owned teams left. In 76 years, there's never been a murmer about leaving Pittsburgh. When the NFL required that one person be majority owner, the five brothers picked one and sold him the stock at a reduced rate.
For that alone, I'll watch.
But I will tape WipeOut -- I love the Big Balls (and Jill Wagner, the star of the show).
Gotta add to the pile on - nobody cares about the Steelers on a national level? What in the who now? I'd be interested to hear what teams you think people are interested in on a national level - other than the Cowboys (and maybe the Packers), I can't think of a team that has more national following. In years past, there have been specific players that have drawn a lot of attention (the Mannings, Tom Brady and Joe Montana come to mind), but that is not the same thing as drawing fans of a whole team - I've lived all over the place, and I've never seen the fan enthusiasm for the Colts, Giants, Pats or 49s that I have for the Steelers.
As a sports fan, I am so over the argument of "there is no interest on a national level". I think it is so demeaning to the teams that make it to the big game and their fans. I'm not just saying that because I'm from Philly, and we had to hear that crap all of October for the Phillies.
I'm still nursing my broken heart due to my beloved Eagles choking big time, but I'm excited for the Super Bowl because it's the freakin' Super Bowl!
The only let down in any Super Bowl is when the game is a blowout.
Puppy Bowl! Puppy Bowl! Puppy Bowl! Kitty half-time show! Kitty half-time show! Kitty half-time show! The only good thing about the Super Bowl is Puppy Bowl!
Steelers fans, like Polamalu on the field, are everywhere. I will point to your Springsteen comment about blue-collar halftime. The Steelers represent a true blue-collar town that has been slowly disappearing since the loss of the mills and the mines. We've spread out over the country and the Steelers are the link to home. Yes, we are everywhere.
Steelers fans, like Polamalu on the field, are everywhere. I will point to your Springsteen comment about blue-collar halftime. The Steelers represent a true blue-collar town that has been slowly disappearing since the loss of the mills and the mines. We've spread out over the country and the Steelers are the link to home. Yes, we are everywhere.
According to some sports analysts, Steelers fans may outnumber Cardinals fans at the game by 10 - 1. Throughout all of the road games in this and recent seasons, the Steelers have a LOT of fans in the stands. I don't know about the popularity of the Cardinals but I think recent press about Kurt Warner has added some appeal to the public to see how he does on Sunday.
I think Bruce as the half time entertainment will help draw audiences, too.
You will find black and gold bars in every major city in the United States. There are several in Europe too. Steeler fans are also the loudest fans in the stands and also the ones that are willing to travel the furthest to see them. Steeler Nation is alive and well...
Go Pittsburgh!
The state of Arizona has gone crazy for the Cardinals. Yes, there are people here (not just coyotes)! Phoenix is a really big city! And Tucson (that's where I live) always votes Democratic! (Had to get that in because people think it's a conservative state. That's just Phoenix.)
The Cardinals are family owned and are a very old franchise. They also have the longest dry spell in professional sports (in the U. S.), I believe, except maybe the Cubs. The last time the Cardinals were NFL champs they didn't even HAVE the Super Bowl.
Yeah, the Steelers are major. But here in Tucson, we have bars dedicated to the Broncos, Bears, Packers,Vikings,and others, too. Also, that Dallas/Steelers Super Bowl was a long time ago. And Dallas was in it. Still, nowhere near as many people will be watching because the Cardinals are playing, except to see the underdogs.
I LOVE football. It's a great sport and the guys are gorgeous. What's not to like?
The only reason Steelers fans travel so well is because they will use any excuse to get the hell out of Pittsburgh. Just kidding! But go Cardinals.
I'm hardly a football fan, but I'll be watching the SuperBowl mostly for the commercials. (Well, that and I spent about a month and a half just before Christmas crashing at the house of a huge football fan, and I started to develop a bit of a taste for the game.) I'm definitely taping Wipeout, though. :)
Susan has hit the nail on the head! I grew up on the South Side of Pittsburgh and everybody either worked in the mills or was going to work in the mills. Many of my high school graduating class of '72 have had to relocate to other cities to other places to find work. The Steelers are what link all of us to home. I've only been gone 6 years and, according to strangers that I meet, I still have that Pittsburgh accent. Listen to Dan Marino or Bill Cowher speak on the TV sports show, and you'll know what I'm talkin' about.
Did you really say who cares about the Steelers or Cardinals ????????
Wow, what planet do you come from ? The Rooney family and the whole Pittsburgh Steelers tradition is reason enough to watch, never mind that they had THE toughest schedule and produced !
What else is the Super Bowl but a chance to bring out the best (Steelers) and the worst (guess who,) arriving at the Nation's Championship.
Oh, and for all of you folks who think you "know" Pittsburgh's atmosphere, PLEASE, DON'T VISIT-
You'd only be overcome with how wrong you were.
Being a Cincinnati fan (yea, we do exist) I hate the Steelers, (I still haven't forgive Carson Palmer's injury) but I do have to agree with the others posters that they do have a national following.
I love football, so I'd never miss a superbowl. I'll be happily rooting for the Cardinals! Underdogs are always fun.
i lik the pounce.
Huh?
Reason # 1)It's the Super Bowl? You people don't like football? What's your problem?
I absolutely LOVE the Super Bowl! Diet Pepsi is on major sale, and Sephora has free shipping on everything! what's not to like?
Seriously? What planet do you live on? Sure, there are those who watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, and sure there are those who don't care, but a whole freaking lot of people will be watching tomorrow, regardless of if their team is in it or not.
And proof positive of the dominance of Steeler tradition and the undying love of its many, many fans (females included!!) is the fact that in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, the heart of Cowboy country, I can count at least three dedicated Steeler bars. That's impressive.
Love the NFL, love the Superbowl, but hate the "World Champion" crap, you're not World Champions cos its only US teams that play! Get over yourself kids.
I like the Steelers players, really dislike the Steelers fan base. The only fans worse root for Dallas and Oakland.
I think the steelers will win, though. Go Cards.
Sorry here is the backlash, I love the NFL, and definitely LOVE the Steelers!!! So I know quite a few people who care.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!!! HERE WE GO!!!
What do you mean, Pimp My Ride is the best alternative option? Have you never tuned into the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Oh that Kitty half-time show!!
From a born and raised Yinzer (a Pittsburgher, for all of you non-yinzers out there) Steelers Nation really IS everywhere. We LOVE our team. I meet Steelers fan everywhere, many were raied in the 70's-80's when Pittsburgh won it's first 4 Super Bowls and were raised in a Black & Gold household.
I do agree with the "World Champion" thing. If football (the US version) isn't played outside of the US, then the winners are NOT World Champions, anymore than the winner of Miss Universe really represents the Universe.
And also - go Steelers! You made us proud, bringing home the six pack.