At Issue: Another Patriots Super Bowl appearance
Our Take: Sports fan or not, everyone can enjoy the big game
This Sunday, the New England Patriots will return to the Super Bowl for the third year in a row. Fans are gearing up for the team’s ninth Super Bowl appearance since 2000––one that could potentially be a record-tying sixth championship. With 11 major sports championships in 19 years, Boston earned its name as the “City of Champions.” So, whether or not you’re a sports fan, it’s important to recognize that Sunday will be a significant day for the city.
We may attend a communication and arts school, but this should not discourage students from watching Sunday’s game. Just because Emerson isn’t a Division I school, and sports aren’t as relevant to our general student population, that shouldn’t discredit people’s appreciation for the spirit of this weekend’s event.
We can’t talk about the National Football League without mentioning some of the glaring faults that come with it. At the beginning of the season, two cases involving NFL players and violence against women sparked an outcry, according to a Washington Post article. Domestic violence awareness organizations slammed the league, and mishandled domestic abuse cases involving NFL from recent years flooded back into headlines.
The NFL may seem overrun with machismo and toxicity, but despite these faults, we can still join together to celebrate a touchdown. We can make enjoying football a more inclusive activity that sparks a conversation about why the industry has always been tied to masculinity and not other identities and groups.
The Super Bowl is more than a football game; it fosters an inimitable sense of community in the country, especially within the cities of participating teams. Boston is no exception to this principle. Year after year, the city bands together to take part in an annual, day-long NFL binge. Those who don’t regularly watch the sport can even find the game enjoyable. They can watch the commercials, critique the halftime show, or simply use this day of rest and good eating to get together with their family and friends.
In cities with well-performing sports teams, local industries find sizeable profits. At The Boston Globe, print newspaper sales rise because fans frame the front page to save and hang in their family home. Local restaurants and bars are packed the day of the game, and local retailers also see a spike in sales. The Super Bowl isn’t just another game for the opposing teams, it’s an event that could bring in millions of dollars in revenue and monetary support for the city.
Emerson isn’t regarded as a school with a passion for sports, but we should still enjoy this day for what it is. Watch the game—for the game itself, the ads, or Maroon 5. If you decide not to watch, use the day to get together with the people you love and take advantage of the sales on food. If you’re over 21, stay safe and have fun.
