You get the picture. This isn’t just a casual gathering with snowflakes and wild brawls. It’s a Football Party, celebrating the big game. You’ll find die-hard fans of the Patriots, some casual fans backing the Seahawks, and a few grown-ups who just can’t stand the Patriots but are rooting for the Seahawks by default.
Among the crowd, there are a few dads who used to be college athletes, now doing their thing as lawyers, editors, and bankers. The moms are just as diverse—designers, artists, writers, and culinary instructors. My husband, a magazine editor and a gentle soul, is also a huge fan of the brutal game of football. He’s torn between his love for the Washington Redskins and his outrage over their offensive name. You can often catch him yelling at the TV, especially when he refers to them as “the Washington football team” after a terrible play. His mood does dip when they lose, but thankfully, it’s not so noticeable that I’d get to tease him about it. (Well, almost.)
Football is a staple for many at this gathering, and while I grew up with it, my own dad, a Jets fan, has always found some joy in the game—at least as much as one can as a Jets supporter. For me, the best part is the ambiance: the sound of Cris Collinsworth’s commentary, the refs’ voices, and the stadium buzz. As a kid, John Madden’s voice felt comforting, almost like being back in the womb.
Interestingly, most of the kids at this party, who’ll be glued to the Super Bowl, will likely never play tackle football. Sure, they might dabble in flag football, but that barely resembles the real deal. It’s more about speed than strength; tackling is almost nonexistent. Soccer and basketball can be just as rough, if not rougher.
The boys who will gather to munch on chips and discuss player stats are unlikely to ever step onto a real football field. If they’ve played tackle football, it probably stopped when the risk of injury became too real. This is due to various reasons—regional differences (my state is pretty liberal with no Friday night lights), lack of interest, and most importantly, parental decisions. While mothers used to be the primary protectors, fathers have also joined the ranks in keeping their sons from playing.
In light of recent developments in the NFL, such as the incidents involving Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, there’s been a growing recognition of the violence associated with football and how it leads to serious consequences. Studies suggest that starting tackle football before age 12 can lead to concussions, depression, and even suicide.
From my perspective, the game doesn’t seem to be suffering much; the NFL continues to rake in money, attention, and ticket sales. However, a Bloomberg Politics poll showed that half of Americans wouldn’t let their sons play football, which might hint that a shift is happening, albeit slowly.
So on Sunday, while everyone enjoys the game, I’ll be reflecting on how many of these kids will never play. I might hold back my inner Debbie Downer, but the thought will linger. How long can we enjoy the sport while knowing it’s becoming one reserved for other people’s kids? I could draw parallels about who benefits from this lucrative industry versus who really gets hurt, but I won’t need to. Everyone there knows the deal.
In conclusion, while the Super Bowl might be a fun event, it’s worth considering the implications of the game we all love, especially when it comes to our children. If you’re interested in more insights about parenting and health, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.