Super Bowl Sunday is like a national holiday, one of the few times of the year when tens of millions of Americans do the same thing at the same time. By that standard, today might even beat Thanksgiving, due to the change in mealtimes.
The Super Bowl is undoubtedly the most-watched broadcast of the year, a status quo that reflects the dominant role football plays in contemporary culture. Years ago, before cable and internet television, other forms of mass entertainment – sitcoms, dramas and nightly news – also attracted large audiences. Very few people do it these days, and it’s an exaggeration to say that football To be mainstream American culture.
Consider this chart by my colleague Ashley Wu:
We’re devoting much of today’s coverage to the Super Bowl, with the help of colleagues around the Times newsroom. You’ll find that coverage below our news recap of the day.
Starts at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. And if you’re not interested, this is a great time to shop without waiting in line.
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FROM WOMEN’S OPINION
Many American men demand respect; What they need is a goal, David France debate.
For half a century, Joe Biden has talked about being president. He is not going to kiss it because some wondered about his age, Maureen Dowd write.
Sunday Question: Is China’s spy bubble a punch or a threat?
The shame of being caught red-handed exceed the monitoring value of the balloonMichael A. Cohen debated in The New Republic. But the episode is the kind of provocation that can make China and America into a Cold War-style conflictThe Economist noted.
Sometimes, a weaker team will blow up in the knockout stages and make it to the Super Bowl. Not this year. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are in many ways the two best teams.
Patrick Mahomes, the captain’s quarterback, is the heir to Tom Brady, the best of his generation. At just 27 years old, Mahomes won his second MVP award this year. The big question today: How many? his injured ankle Heal?
Jalen Hurts, 24-year-old Eagles quarterback, is have a breakthrough year. He has a strong run and strong attack, giving him 13 touchdowns this season, more than any other midfielder.
As ESPN’s Field Yates recently noted, the two teams are evenly matched: Both are 14-3. Both feature six All-Pro players. Both have scored exactly 546 points this season. And both have a member of the Kelce family in their list.
More information about the teams
Eagles are good because they are balanced. Hurts, the midfielder, runs as well as passes. Philadelphia’s defense can hit a quarterback (it’s already leading the league with a sack) just as it can clog the receiver.
Kansas City’s success stems from the perfect combination. The captain will appear in their third Super Bowl in four seasons with Mahomes as quarterback and Andy Reid as head coach. Reid favors a forward passing attack, filled with creative formations that take advantage of Mahomes’ mobility and strong arms.
– Emmanuel Morgan, NFL reporter
Lots of alcohol ads
Since 1989, every alcohol commercial aired during the Super Bowl has been for Anheuser-Busch products. That changes today. Last summer, the company that owned Budweiser gave up its exclusive advertising rights, and competitors rushed in. Heineken, Coors Light and Miller Light will appear in the commercial for the first time. Spirits such as Rémy Martin and Crown Royal will also be featured. However, Anheuser-Busch will be the biggest ad spender this year.
— Lora Kelley, business reporter
Rihanna stands out
Rihanna, this year’s lead at halftime, isn’t just a hitmaker – she’s a mogul. She has founded three successful companies, making her the richest female musician in the world, with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion. She brought that business savvy to her show tonight: Her cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty, is selling a special edition “Game Day Collection” (with a fruit-shaped sponge). soccer), while her clothing line, Savage x Fenty, is selling a $60 graphic. T-shirt embodies the sentiments many of her fans share: “A concert Rihanna’s music was interrupted by a football game, weird but whatever.”
— Lindsay Zoladz, pop critic
what to cook
There are two types of people who go to the Super Bowl party: those who are there for the game and those who there for food (and maybe the mid-show). If you don’t want to take your eyes off the screen, focus on the prepared food: Homemade food sweet and savory snack mix can’t lose. winningalso. pulled pork can hang out on the kitchen next door chilli. If you want to serve a hot dish and have some fun, check it out this baby’s back ribs – glazed with grape jelly!
— Genevieve Ko, Cooking Editor
Bet on anything
This year’s Super Bowl could become the biggest gambling event in sports history. About half of the legal bets will not depend on the outcome of the game; they will bet favorably, allowing people to gamble on lesser known topics. These include:
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How many penalties will there be? (The odds are in favor of more than six.)
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What color of Gatorade is poured on the winning coach? (The most common guess is yellow.)
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Will country star Chris Stapleton miss a word when singing the national anthem? (He is very fond of singing all of them.)
For more: In 2018, the Supreme Court cleared the way for legal sports betting. Five years later, more than half of the US states allow gambling, thanks in part to Flash lobbying in state capitals.
A game of violence
Today’s spectacle can distract viewers from an uncomfortable truth: Football players face danger every time they step on the field. That was evident this season, when the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin collapsed after a seemingly routine tackle. Most injuries are less visible, accumulating over years of repeated beatings.
Poem: “Lost in America” is about killings, workers and a certain type of bread.
NEXT WEEK
What to watch?
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Last month’s US consumer price data will be released on Tuesday.
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Valentine’s Day is Tuesday. Many historians believe that the holiday originated in a Raucous Roman Bacchanal.
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Nikki Haley, the former Republican governor of South Carolina, is expected to announce her 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday.
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The gunman in the racist massacre at a Buffalo supermarket last year will be sentenced on Wednesday and is expected to serve life in prison.
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The carnival kicks off in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, the first time it’s been in full swing since Covid hit.
What to cook this week
