SuperHype

So, it's the evening before the Superbowl, I'm still recovering from a brisk and physical morning, as most of my 6am shifts go. There's been much excitement as the NFL's annual finale comes around again, so soon it seems. 

Today at the checkout I got a few odd reactions when I answered no, I wouldn't be watching the game. You'd think I had insulted their relative, or questioned their IQ.

It wasn't always like this, my disinterest in most sports. Loved playing football as a kid! We played at Centinela Park in Inglewood, always tackle, no helmets, no gear. Later, I followed the teams, went to some games, first ones with my father, LA Rams at the Coleseum. 

Then, at some point, it all turned into something else. Something lurid and off key. Going to games literally triples in cost. Player salaries skyrocket as team owners cash out with record profits. As the players conduct, both on and off the field declined, so did the quality of play, the sportsmanship, and the officiating. Not all, but too many prima donna athletes also became political pundits, social influencers, and arrogant gods.

The culture of sport in American has evolved, as everything does. But, what's better today about the Superbowl and all the mindless hype? All the commercial goop, all the media frenzy that has to top the previous year in the categories of silliness and crazy headlines.

This week, I saw in bold typeface the serious headline asking the big halftime question: "CAN TAYLOR SWIFT AFFECT BOTH THE SUPERBOWL AND THE ELECTION?" Stay tuned folks, but I still won't be watching.