A Super Bowl Sunday To Remember
I have wanted to attend the Super Bowl ever since I was a little girl. American football has always been such an important part of my life growing up, a way for me to spend quality time with my family on a Sunday afternoon. It's surprising how many life lessons I learned from watching a bunch of grown men in tights run around and tackle each other. Teamwork. Humility. Perseverance. How hard work can get you very far in life. How a well put together team without a standout celebrity can do so much more than a team with a lot of disjoint stars. I learned about the importance of learning from your mistakes, that just because you lose one year doesn't mean you can't come back the next and make it farther. That being a gracious loser makes you more of a champion than being an ungracious winner ever will. So it seems natural that when the Super Bowl was announced to take place in my own backyard, I had to attend. And after the event, I had to blog about it. So here's the story of my Super Bowl 50 experience.
The first step to attending the Super Bowl is getting your hands on some tickets. This can be a rather difficult thing to achieve. The best way to get tickets at face value is by entering the NFL lottery, but considering they only have 500 tickets to give away in the lottery and tens of thousands of applicants, your chances are pretty slim. So obviously you're going to have to be ok with paying a lot from vendors. It sucks but if you really want to go to the game, you really want to go to the game. Also the tickets are really pretty, if it makes you feel any better about dropping a couple grand.
Apparently in the week leading up to the big event there are all these parties and this thing called Super Bowl City that they set up. Interestingly enough, despite paying multiple thousands for a ticket you still need to buy a ticket to access all these exclusive pre-game parties. Talk about a money sink... Luckily I was on a business trip. That, and I only really care about the game. True fan of the sport here, not going to waste my time going up to SF (or what the visitors referred to as "San Fran". Please if you read this and you're not from here, DO NOT EVER CALL IT SAN FRAN. Thank you).
Now I'm going to be the first to admit that the bay area has horrid public transit. And to make matters worse, on the day of the big game, they shut down the VTA lightrail system at most stations, only running a few trips direct non-stop from specific stops. Now, I'm sure they announced it through some convoluted method, but unfortunately I was traveling for business the week before and managed to miss all the announcements. Luckily, we found a shuttle to take us there, but honestly I was thoroughly disappointed in the way transportation was handled.
But after the mess that was getting to the stadium, the moment finally arrived. It was beautiful. Walking up the steps, looking out onto the field. It was more than I could've ever imagined. The pure energy in the stadium radiated throughout. The field was alive.
Lady Gaga sang the national anthem. We also got to meet the 49 previous Super Bowl MVPs, including but not limited to Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, and the likes. Can you spot them in this picture?
They weren't the only celebrities there. Steph Curry was the Panther's drummer. Hailee Steinfeld, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Nina Dobrev, and Vince Vaughn were all in the audience attending the game. Crazy to think of the stars we were amongst in that stadium of almost 80,000 people.
So I haven't mentioned what team I was cheering for yet. Let me take a moment to explain that. Ordinarily, you could call me a cheesehead. In other words, I'm a Green Bay Packers fan. Although I grew up in Minnesota, I've always felt greater kin to our brotherly neighbors across the border. Perhaps it's because their quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a Cal alum, or one of his favorite targets this year Richard Rodgers also attended the same university (while I was there!). Or maybe just because they had more class or because I liked the way the franchise was owned by the people of the city. Whatever it was, I'm a Packers fan.
Now if you watch a lot of football, you'll know that we got knocked out of the playoffs by a very unfortunate, scored far too quickly touchdown in OT. So naturally, I had to pick a new allegiance, and I decided to pick the Denver Broncos. Why? Two words. Peyton Manning.
As an admirer of the sport of football, my team allegiance is not the only thing that drives me to cheer for certain teams. When it comes to players, I'm really quite fond of talented individuals who not only display real character on the field but also off the field. And yes, you could argue that Manning had reached his peak. That he was old and beaten up. But he was, and still is, a legend. To be a leader of a football team is not necessarily to be the star, but it's to have the ability to rally and to inspire. And Peyton Manning is most certainly inspirational. And I wanted this for him. I wanted for him to go out on top. He deserves to go out on top. And after that crushing defeat at the hands of a young Seattle team two years ago, the Broncos needed redemption. And they found it.
But although my loyalty stemmed mostly from a respect of Manning, it also had a few other causes. First, Denver is an example of one of those well-oiled put together machines I mentioned earlier. There are stars, yes, but they work together so beautifully in a way that other teams just did not come together. I have never seen a defense sack and intercept Tom Brady that many times in one game. They tore apart the offensive line. They made Carolina one dimensional. They destroyed Cam Newton. Second, CJ Anderson, Denver's up-and-coming running back is also, you guessed it, a Berkeley alum. Third, and I will rarely admit this, but I wanted to see someone serve Carolina their comeuppance.
Don't get me wrong, the Panthers are an amazing team. What Ron Rivera has managed to do with them in one season, turning them from a 7-9 record divisional champion to a 15-1 NFC champion is incredible. Cam Newton's ability to be the number one rusher as well as the quarterback on the team is remarkable athleticism. But what their star makes up for in joy for the game, he also lacks in maturity.
As I mentioned before, this game is not about one person. It is not about a single player on a team being Superman. It is about how well a team can work together and put aside their personal wants for a greater goal. Carolina is young, Cam is young, he has plenty of opportunities to find himself back on this world stage, and there is no reason he can't make it back here. But the way he behaved. The way he gave up. The way he acted out after the game at the press conference. That is shameful. I read an article that said Cam Newton played football with the joy of a 12 year old, something that has been lost and that this game needs. Well he also loses games with the sulkiness of a 12 year old, something that we most certainly don't need and don't want to see from a leader of a top team. And the way he's responding to his critics is even more immature. To be at the top of this field is to be in the spotlight always, good or bad. There will always be doubters. There will always be non-believers. There will always be people who turn on you in a heartbeat, but learn to be gracious even in times of loss and those people will have nothing to taunt you with. Be like Peyton Manning. Be like Tom Brady (who got booed by a crowd of almost 80,000 people). Have some class, learn to handle the spotlight humbly and graciously. It will earn you lifetime supporters and will carry you far.
So there it is, my mini-rant about why the Broncos were my team and choice and why they deserved to win the Super Bowl. At the end of the day, they were better prepared and they played a better game. Yes, Peyton Manning and his offense didn't do much. But they did just enough. Though, let me say that I met some very rude Broncos fans at the stadium on Sunday. As I say to Cam, I now say to you. Learn to be gracious in your victory because there's nothing respectable about rubbing it in. Take a leaf out of Peyton's book. Enjoy it, but do it for yourself, not to tear the other team down. That's just low.
But it wasn't everyone, just a select few, and I have to say being a part of Bronco Nation for that one game is an experience I will never forget. The sheer intensity of the noise created in the stadium. The orange that you could see everywhere. I have wanted for some time now to see someone sack Cam Newton and sack him hard, but being able to witness it live, near the end zone where it happened, with thousands of others around me who wanted the same result... it was exhilarating. Like the players, we became one. Screaming and cheering, jumping up in our seats at the same moments. The excitement was tangible, it surrounded us all. Watching a game in person is always a little weird to me. There are no announcers chirping on about each play. No commercials in between. The players are in front of your eyes without a screen between you. But the atmosphere. The environment. Nothing can beat being a part of the winning Super Bowl team fanbase. Nothing.
Lastly I don't think I can write about the Super Bowl without mentioning the half time show. Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars. Talk about star-studded. I have to admit that the half time show doesn't look nearly as cool in person as it does on TV. The performers are so small. What was pretty amazing is being able to see the entire stadium and the displays they've put together. Not to mention this game's half time show featured a card stunt organized by my alma mater's Rally Committee and backup music by the marching band (because we all know Stanford's band is obviously not up to the task). Plus with the sun setting and the breeze in your hair, it's almost like being part of an outdoor concert. In the end, pretty worth it.
So yes, the tickets cost a mini-fortune. The half time show is mildly overrated. The concessions and souvenirs are wildly overpriced. But the experience of attending a Super Bowl in person? That's priceless.
The first step to attending the Super Bowl is getting your hands on some tickets. This can be a rather difficult thing to achieve. The best way to get tickets at face value is by entering the NFL lottery, but considering they only have 500 tickets to give away in the lottery and tens of thousands of applicants, your chances are pretty slim. So obviously you're going to have to be ok with paying a lot from vendors. It sucks but if you really want to go to the game, you really want to go to the game. Also the tickets are really pretty, if it makes you feel any better about dropping a couple grand.
Now I'm going to be the first to admit that the bay area has horrid public transit. And to make matters worse, on the day of the big game, they shut down the VTA lightrail system at most stations, only running a few trips direct non-stop from specific stops. Now, I'm sure they announced it through some convoluted method, but unfortunately I was traveling for business the week before and managed to miss all the announcements. Luckily, we found a shuttle to take us there, but honestly I was thoroughly disappointed in the way transportation was handled.
But after the mess that was getting to the stadium, the moment finally arrived. It was beautiful. Walking up the steps, looking out onto the field. It was more than I could've ever imagined. The pure energy in the stadium radiated throughout. The field was alive.
They weren't the only celebrities there. Steph Curry was the Panther's drummer. Hailee Steinfeld, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Nina Dobrev, and Vince Vaughn were all in the audience attending the game. Crazy to think of the stars we were amongst in that stadium of almost 80,000 people.
So I haven't mentioned what team I was cheering for yet. Let me take a moment to explain that. Ordinarily, you could call me a cheesehead. In other words, I'm a Green Bay Packers fan. Although I grew up in Minnesota, I've always felt greater kin to our brotherly neighbors across the border. Perhaps it's because their quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a Cal alum, or one of his favorite targets this year Richard Rodgers also attended the same university (while I was there!). Or maybe just because they had more class or because I liked the way the franchise was owned by the people of the city. Whatever it was, I'm a Packers fan.
Now if you watch a lot of football, you'll know that we got knocked out of the playoffs by a very unfortunate, scored far too quickly touchdown in OT. So naturally, I had to pick a new allegiance, and I decided to pick the Denver Broncos. Why? Two words. Peyton Manning.
As an admirer of the sport of football, my team allegiance is not the only thing that drives me to cheer for certain teams. When it comes to players, I'm really quite fond of talented individuals who not only display real character on the field but also off the field. And yes, you could argue that Manning had reached his peak. That he was old and beaten up. But he was, and still is, a legend. To be a leader of a football team is not necessarily to be the star, but it's to have the ability to rally and to inspire. And Peyton Manning is most certainly inspirational. And I wanted this for him. I wanted for him to go out on top. He deserves to go out on top. And after that crushing defeat at the hands of a young Seattle team two years ago, the Broncos needed redemption. And they found it.
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| Broncos' post-game celebration |
Don't get me wrong, the Panthers are an amazing team. What Ron Rivera has managed to do with them in one season, turning them from a 7-9 record divisional champion to a 15-1 NFC champion is incredible. Cam Newton's ability to be the number one rusher as well as the quarterback on the team is remarkable athleticism. But what their star makes up for in joy for the game, he also lacks in maturity.
As I mentioned before, this game is not about one person. It is not about a single player on a team being Superman. It is about how well a team can work together and put aside their personal wants for a greater goal. Carolina is young, Cam is young, he has plenty of opportunities to find himself back on this world stage, and there is no reason he can't make it back here. But the way he behaved. The way he gave up. The way he acted out after the game at the press conference. That is shameful. I read an article that said Cam Newton played football with the joy of a 12 year old, something that has been lost and that this game needs. Well he also loses games with the sulkiness of a 12 year old, something that we most certainly don't need and don't want to see from a leader of a top team. And the way he's responding to his critics is even more immature. To be at the top of this field is to be in the spotlight always, good or bad. There will always be doubters. There will always be non-believers. There will always be people who turn on you in a heartbeat, but learn to be gracious even in times of loss and those people will have nothing to taunt you with. Be like Peyton Manning. Be like Tom Brady (who got booed by a crowd of almost 80,000 people). Have some class, learn to handle the spotlight humbly and graciously. It will earn you lifetime supporters and will carry you far.
So there it is, my mini-rant about why the Broncos were my team and choice and why they deserved to win the Super Bowl. At the end of the day, they were better prepared and they played a better game. Yes, Peyton Manning and his offense didn't do much. But they did just enough. Though, let me say that I met some very rude Broncos fans at the stadium on Sunday. As I say to Cam, I now say to you. Learn to be gracious in your victory because there's nothing respectable about rubbing it in. Take a leaf out of Peyton's book. Enjoy it, but do it for yourself, not to tear the other team down. That's just low.
But it wasn't everyone, just a select few, and I have to say being a part of Bronco Nation for that one game is an experience I will never forget. The sheer intensity of the noise created in the stadium. The orange that you could see everywhere. I have wanted for some time now to see someone sack Cam Newton and sack him hard, but being able to witness it live, near the end zone where it happened, with thousands of others around me who wanted the same result... it was exhilarating. Like the players, we became one. Screaming and cheering, jumping up in our seats at the same moments. The excitement was tangible, it surrounded us all. Watching a game in person is always a little weird to me. There are no announcers chirping on about each play. No commercials in between. The players are in front of your eyes without a screen between you. But the atmosphere. The environment. Nothing can beat being a part of the winning Super Bowl team fanbase. Nothing.
Lastly I don't think I can write about the Super Bowl without mentioning the half time show. Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars. Talk about star-studded. I have to admit that the half time show doesn't look nearly as cool in person as it does on TV. The performers are so small. What was pretty amazing is being able to see the entire stadium and the displays they've put together. Not to mention this game's half time show featured a card stunt organized by my alma mater's Rally Committee and backup music by the marching band (because we all know Stanford's band is obviously not up to the task). Plus with the sun setting and the breeze in your hair, it's almost like being part of an outdoor concert. In the end, pretty worth it.
So yes, the tickets cost a mini-fortune. The half time show is mildly overrated. The concessions and souvenirs are wildly overpriced. But the experience of attending a Super Bowl in person? That's priceless.
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