I'm for Kansas City. As a long time Braves fan and a sad Falcons fan, Philadelphia has the worst fans period. They're insufferable. Though the Eagles (Iggles in that God forsaken place) have the better roster, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes can't be counted out. As far as is Mahomes the greatest of all time, every era is different. I'm tired as well from the 2 week hype by the worldwide leader.
One last thing, I heard that you were going to spend some time with your elderly parents. I lost mine over 11 years ago. Give them a big hug because the day will come when you can't.
We are going to watch with some friends. He almost died of a heart attack about a month after my wife did die from one. They have been great friends and have embraced my 2nd wife too. This couple have been the best friends one could ask for and we try and get together often.
Philly may well have the best roster but overcoming Reid, Mahomes and KC's special teams will be a huge lift. Being from Boston, I share your dislike of their fan base, and am not rooting particularly hard for either team. Thinking KC will win but just want an entertaining, competitive contest.
I was lucky? to win a trip to Beijing in 2008 for the Olympics. Saw Opening Ceremonies, watched Michael Phelps win everything, enjoyed the US Mens and Womens gymnastics and the Williams sisters play tennis. The Olympics themselves were outstanding. However, I saw the military presence on the street, knew our hotel room was watched and entered when we left it. And felt the resentment of the Chinese people clustered around the Olympic grounds entrance daily but were not allowed in. Everything looked great but underneath, cheap and falling apart. Perhaps every country ruled by authoritarians who host the Olympics hide citizen oppression and China was no different. Hu Tongs built over, residents displaced and left with nothing all for the Olympic grounds. The people so badly needed a reason to cheer and cheering for an American was probably the ultimate middle finger to their government!
Great angle John, and gee, i don't recall NBC telling us about the "Tiananmen Square" situation you described. I guess i missed it....................sigh
Your recollection of the 2008 Olympics prompts me to wonder how much the Chinese government must love the cultural and political discord in our country now. It serves their interests.
Happy to go back and forth with you and I respect your opinion. I hope you’re right. I have met quite a few PRC people and never heard one express that. But I have heard them say they came to the USA to make money with a plan to return home. I’m not aware of any statistically valid opinion polls.
So what? When they sense at their deepest level the discord with their own government--and they do--what recourse do they have? Nothing! Does that make them envy America and validate freedom of expression? Yes.
That's why we play the games, John, and barring some swing of fate from the zebras, admiration for the winning performance. And why not love a kid with incredible amounts of talent, good character and personality, who can rise to the top of the insanity of the music business. Love Taylor and those she inspires, folks. John can inform his own take on this, so let's give him his deserved slack on all fronts. Just sayin', Charlie
From what I understand from fans who have attended her concerts, it's not hype. The woman delivers an outstanding show that millions think is worth the money they paid to see it.
Exactly what is it the Chiefs have done to earn all this hate and seemingly have everyone vehemently rooting against them this past several weeks? Does "American exceptionalism" (oxymoron) not permit the acceptance of a group endeavor that exhibits both competence and good behavior? It has infected the general populace, neighbors who don't really follow the NFL rooting for "anyone but the Chiefs". I cannot understand it. And I am not what one would call a Chiefs fan, although I certainly admire their accomplishments. Baffled. Charlie
Not trying to be contrary, but I seriously could not care less. I suppose I'm in the exact opposite camp as those 1.4 billion Chinese folks. I'm failing to find a single compelling reason why I should watch it in the first place, never mind cheer for either team. Perhaps someday, someone in the NFL will make me care again, but I believe it would take something on the caliber of Justin Herbert (Oregon born, bred, raised, and played through HS and college here) being one of the highlight stars to draw my attention again.
@EA Flash. Happy Super Bowls Sunday! No doubt there are a lot of Shazbots. But are there 123 million? Per Nielsen that's how many people watched last year's game. It represented a 7.4% increase over 2023. I'm sure viewership ebbs and flows, but the game still seems to draw quite the crowd. Enjoy today's if it's your thing. If not, go find your joy and make the day great.
John, forget the Chiefs, Eagles, Phelps, or the Chinese people (but thank you for illuminating their spirit) the multiple threads of this story, woven together masterfully into a tapestry, is the story. The degree of difficulty was high. 🙇
John, "A Super Bowl in Madrid? Or London? Or Brazil? It’s the worst idea ever."
Remember that this century TV dollars rule sports. If TV dollars are there to promote the "worst idea ever," it will happen. Look at the ruin that dollars have brought to college sports over the last decade.
I'm for Kansas City. As a long time Braves fan and a sad Falcons fan, Philadelphia has the worst fans period. They're insufferable. Though the Eagles (Iggles in that God forsaken place) have the better roster, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes can't be counted out. As far as is Mahomes the greatest of all time, every era is different. I'm tired as well from the 2 week hype by the worldwide leader.
One last thing, I heard that you were going to spend some time with your elderly parents. I lost mine over 11 years ago. Give them a big hug because the day will come when you can't.
We are going to watch with some friends. He almost died of a heart attack about a month after my wife did die from one. They have been great friends and have embraced my 2nd wife too. This couple have been the best friends one could ask for and we try and get together often.
Philly may well have the best roster but overcoming Reid, Mahomes and KC's special teams will be a huge lift. Being from Boston, I share your dislike of their fan base, and am not rooting particularly hard for either team. Thinking KC will win but just want an entertaining, competitive contest.
Oh, and good commercials. 😀
Go Eagles!
I was lucky? to win a trip to Beijing in 2008 for the Olympics. Saw Opening Ceremonies, watched Michael Phelps win everything, enjoyed the US Mens and Womens gymnastics and the Williams sisters play tennis. The Olympics themselves were outstanding. However, I saw the military presence on the street, knew our hotel room was watched and entered when we left it. And felt the resentment of the Chinese people clustered around the Olympic grounds entrance daily but were not allowed in. Everything looked great but underneath, cheap and falling apart. Perhaps every country ruled by authoritarians who host the Olympics hide citizen oppression and China was no different. Hu Tongs built over, residents displaced and left with nothing all for the Olympic grounds. The people so badly needed a reason to cheer and cheering for an American was probably the ultimate middle finger to their government!
Great angle John, and gee, i don't recall NBC telling us about the "Tiananmen Square" situation you described. I guess i missed it....................sigh
"...ultimate middle finder to their government." Yes!
I did not consider that. Insightful of you to mention.
Your recollection of the 2008 Olympics prompts me to wonder how much the Chinese government must love the cultural and political discord in our country now. It serves their interests.
Happy to go back and forth with you and I respect your opinion. I hope you’re right. I have met quite a few PRC people and never heard one express that. But I have heard them say they came to the USA to make money with a plan to return home. I’m not aware of any statistically valid opinion polls.
And oh, doesn't their besieged population so envy our freedom to even have "political discord"...
Part of the repression of hundreds of millions Chinese citizens is the information they are supplied that US democracy is inherently rife with discord
So what? When they sense at their deepest level the discord with their own government--and they do--what recourse do they have? Nothing! Does that make them envy America and validate freedom of expression? Yes.
The NFL would move the Super Bowl to China or the ME in a heart beat if the check was big enough. Not a doubt in the world that this will happen.
“I’m sure if the price is right, it will happen.”
Yup
You have challenged my approach to sports (life itself?). Do I want to see the best perform at their best, or not? Perhaps I will find out tomorrow.
I am torn. I find myself rooting against Mahomes... but wonder.
That's why we play the games, John, and barring some swing of fate from the zebras, admiration for the winning performance. And why not love a kid with incredible amounts of talent, good character and personality, who can rise to the top of the insanity of the music business. Love Taylor and those she inspires, folks. John can inform his own take on this, so let's give him his deserved slack on all fronts. Just sayin', Charlie
Are you sure you are not rooting against Taylor Swift, the all-time world leader in concert hype?
From what I understand from fans who have attended her concerts, it's not hype. The woman delivers an outstanding show that millions think is worth the money they paid to see it.
Crazy title, seeing the USA lost the 2024 election.
Yawn
Do loud, busy rooms suddenly go dead quiet when you walk in? Just curious.
I'm not a fan of either team, but I'd like to see the Chiefs win. Figure there's only so many chances one gets to witness history made.
Exactly what is it the Chiefs have done to earn all this hate and seemingly have everyone vehemently rooting against them this past several weeks? Does "American exceptionalism" (oxymoron) not permit the acceptance of a group endeavor that exhibits both competence and good behavior? It has infected the general populace, neighbors who don't really follow the NFL rooting for "anyone but the Chiefs". I cannot understand it. And I am not what one would call a Chiefs fan, although I certainly admire their accomplishments. Baffled. Charlie
Great googly moogly, I'm rooting for the Chef's!
Not trying to be contrary, but I seriously could not care less. I suppose I'm in the exact opposite camp as those 1.4 billion Chinese folks. I'm failing to find a single compelling reason why I should watch it in the first place, never mind cheer for either team. Perhaps someday, someone in the NFL will make me care again, but I believe it would take something on the caliber of Justin Herbert (Oregon born, bred, raised, and played through HS and college here) being one of the highlight stars to draw my attention again.
I am not sure how the NFL will survive without Shazbot supporting pro football...
What you overlook is, there are millions of Shazbots in this country. SB TV ratings have been flat for years.
@EA Flash. Happy Super Bowls Sunday! No doubt there are a lot of Shazbots. But are there 123 million? Per Nielsen that's how many people watched last year's game. It represented a 7.4% increase over 2023. I'm sure viewership ebbs and flows, but the game still seems to draw quite the crowd. Enjoy today's if it's your thing. If not, go find your joy and make the day great.
I will!
PS: The US population is 335 million, five or take 5 million. So at least 200 million Americans didn't watch the Super Bowl last year! ;->
I'll probably have it on as background noise and watch if it's close.
Touche'
Robert Goodell has World Cup envy. But "American" football is just that. It needs to remain in America. The rest of the world has their own game.
John, forget the Chiefs, Eagles, Phelps, or the Chinese people (but thank you for illuminating their spirit) the multiple threads of this story, woven together masterfully into a tapestry, is the story. The degree of difficulty was high. 🙇
I’m rooting for Philly, but have no problem with a KC win.
The Chiefs are so well-coached, so experienced, and so mentally tough, that most of their competition has no clue as to overcome their confidence.
Hoping for a great, close game🫰🏼
I enjoyed the writing about China and the 2008 Olympics. Thanks very much
John, "A Super Bowl in Madrid? Or London? Or Brazil? It’s the worst idea ever."
Remember that this century TV dollars rule sports. If TV dollars are there to promote the "worst idea ever," it will happen. Look at the ruin that dollars have brought to college sports over the last decade.
Sounds great! Maybe then we could host an FA Cup final at the Meadowlands.