Super Bowl Sunday is the equivalent of an American holiday in the sports world. Large gatherings, tables overflowing with appetizers and lots of yelling at the TV screen make up the big day.
The national football championship has worked its way into America’s culture. While the day is rooted in a sport, the Super Bowl has left its mark on our country in more ways than just athletics.
Super Bowl Sunday has something for everyone.
Sports fanatics get their fill, rooting for their favorite to bring home the title. Those who have no preference for a winner can still make a full experience out of it. The championship game brings everyone together for fellowship. In one of the colder months of the year when there’s not too much going on, the Super Bowl is a welcome addition.
Nothing brings our country together like food, and this day is no exception. The game day food reels in the foodies out of the friend group. Many of our staff members noted that the food was their favorite part.
For the music and entertainment-seeking souls, the Super Bowl puts on the halftime show. Many of these performances have been memorable, some for better reasons than others. We love this section of the Super Bowl, but would encourage more family-friendly performances. The whole family comes together for the Super Bowl, so having a performance that’s relatable for all ages would up its value.
Those looking for a laugh or a new brand to follow look forward to the commercials. As the most-watched television event of the year, many companies jump on the opportunity to draw in new consumers. Some commercials from past Super Bowls are still talked about, bringing lasting enjoyment to viewers.
Outside of commercials, many brands and businesses join in on the fun as well. One of the most popular Super Bowl-related events each year is the Puppy Bowl. Many restaurants and stores also offer discounts around the Super Bowl, capitalizing on the fun. Deals on pizza and wings were popular among chain restaurants, including Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Popeye’s.
Here at UNK, the dining team themed the menu the Friday before the game around classic Super Bowl dishes. We have also seen UNK-themed Super Bowl content on the University’s socials in past years. Taking a national event and reframing it for our more local audience expands the experience and makes it more enjoyable and relatable.
Lopers, if you take anything away from the Super Bowl, let it be this: coming together, whether for a serious or fun matter, has lasting impacts. While the Super Bowl is purely entertainment for most viewers, there is also a lot of good that can come out of it unrelated to the athletics-side of the event.
