Super Bowl in General

[Bradfo69]

This is very much "other discussion".

Since Norty was the first person to make a comment about the superbowl halftime show and, by all accounts it would have been at 2:30 in the morning his time. It got me to thinking about how the event is perceived by others around the world.

We already know Americans are a little whacked in the head and, prone to "excess". Yes, I know other countries have their sports and their championships. In some countries Formula 1 drivers are like Gods and the sport is followed rabidly. In others, soccer is king. Or cricket. But, football is basically an American phenomenon and it's game to decide it's champion for the year is for all intents become a national holiday. People who generally don't even pay attention to sports tend to still watch the superbowl. It's a spectacle. Two weeks of build up. Companies spending millions on commericals which are just as much part of the spectacle as anything else. The parties. The food. There are 1.8 billion chicken wings consumed. The chips, beer, pretzels, dip, pizza, and even chinese take out food are all part of the tradition. It's one of the biggest days for barbeque all year, even if you have to dig through snow to get out to the grill. People gamble money on absolutely every possible aspect of the game - even on who wins the coin toss to start the game in the first place. Many people use it as an excuse to purchase massive televisions - even more so than at Christmas.

Just a couple facts on food: http://www.7daysindubai.com/Just-foo...ail/story.html

Since this is very much a worldwide forum, just thought I'd ask if this is something unique to us or, do you have sporting events or spectacles that are done to the excess that we Americans seem to do with the Superbowl?

[Laserhobbit]

Brad,

An interesting point for discussion, personally having been in the US during the Superbowl weekend I do think it is in someway unique. But having spent some of my weekend watching "rugby football", the 6 nations. I wonder how many in the US know about this event? In fact even your phrase "But, football is basically an American phenomenon", will make most of the people outside the US smile Football in a massive worldwide phenominum, it's just you guys call it soccer. where we call this game American football. I think this just shows the passion you have for the game. whilst on the subject it is also true of the "World Series" baseball, where the only place this is played in the US? To all my great friends over there please do not take offense at this, it s meant entirely as an an observation. Having spent many happy days and weeks working over there and having had this conversation over numerous beers over the years, it has always been seen as quite contentious But to answer your question the "World Cup" is as close as we get, I think in the UK, where the national game is often referred to as the beautiful game of football. It's just a very different game where the ball is moved by the feet more than the hands lol. Apologies again if this offends any of my friends, none intended. But on a much more important side I think the whole superbowl thing is great as it gives the people who watch it a great deal of enjoyment. sitting here ar 5.40am, having been up much of the night, I would include myself as one of these

Cheers

Steve

[Laserman532]

uniquely American... I'm kind of curious how the world perceives us as well.

[Bradfo69]

That's just "wrong" on so many levels... LOL George Carlin would have been rather eloquent about that clip I'm sure!

@Steve - I considered saying "American" football as yes, I do realize the difference. We do have rugby here and even with organized (albeit more amature) teams but, similar to soccer, it's just not as big in this country as the rest of the world. Soccer has been making great strides at the youth level, as has lacross. The World Cup has also begun developing attention as well but, (American) football does seem to be a bit unique in the way it handles it's championship game. Never understood why they called it football since the foot is so rarely employed in the game. Glad you enjoyed it though! It was actually one of the more entertaining Superbowls from a "quality of sport, drama and momentum shift" perspective.

[Laserhobbit]

Brad,

I agree and have to admit I do enjoy the spectacle of it, even if the detail in lost in us Brits lol. to confuse things even more Australian rules football is more like your football and rugby than soccer

Cheers

Steve

[norty303]

I had to go bed after the half time show so we're just watching second half now. Next year we're taking the day off and getting chicken wings

To be honest, we only knew it was happening yesterday, when caught an advert on the off chance. I'm a Marino era Dolphins supporter and my Missus played the game when she was in Denmark and followed Vikings (if she had to be pressed for a team)

We both agreed we'd like to hear the national anthem not being warbled by an overly vocally gymnastic RnB singer for a change.

[planters]

Hey Laserman,

Nice video. Are you OK?

[Bradfo69]

I had to go bed after the half time show so we're just watching second half now. Next year we're taking the day off and getting chicken wings

To be honest, we only knew it was happening yesterday, when caught an advert on the off chance. I'm a Marino era Dolphins supporter and my Missus played the game when she was in Denmark and followed Vikings (if she had to be pressed for a team)

We both agreed we'd like to hear the national anthem not being warbled by an overly vocally gymnastic RnB singer for a change.

You and an awful lot of other people. That was one of the first things people were talking about on the morning talk shows. My mother in particular is tired of people having to put their own creative stamp on it and wishes they'd just sing it straight. They honestly could have stopped after the kids from the school in Connecticut and Jennifer Hudson sang God Bless America and ended on a very emotional pitch.

I had the good fortune of briefly meeting Dan Marino on the field during pre game warm ups before he played against the Washington Redskins in about 1985 or so. My college band did the pregame and halftime show so we were on the field with the team for a while before the game started. (I also played shows for the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots.) I have also seen "American football" on your side of the pond, having been to the American Bowl in Wembly Stadium when the Philadelphia Eagles played the Cleveland Browns there about 22 years ago. I had very good connections with the Eagles organization during that time since my best friends brother in law was VP of player personnel.

[norty303]

And I know we're not supposed to talk about religion on Internet forums, but the other big talking point was the 'Atheism' commercial (alegedly!) aired during the game.
I watched it on BBC so we didn't actually get any commercials at all! (I do think we miss out though where superbowl commercials are concerned) Is that a strange concept for you guys, or do you have any commercial free stations?

[norty303]

P.S. great second half by the way. Players making confetti angels at the end was