- November 25, 2024
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It was about midway through the first quarter Sunday night.
I was watching the Super Bowl with my family — sitting on the couch, stuffing my face with homemade quesadillas, potato skins, chips and salsa, mozzarella sticks and some Mountain Dew. (Healthy, right?)
And then, just like that, it dawned on me; it all became clear, and I thought to myself: Being a sports fan is the toughest job I’ll ever have in my life.
I had spent at least three hours every Sunday (except for the rare Monday/Thursday night game) for the past four months watching the Jacksonville Jaguars, hoping they would at least make it to the playoffs.
Did I think the Jags were Super Bowl contenders? Hardly.
But it finally made me realize how much time the diehard fans dedicate to their respective teams, only to see one of two possible outcomes unfold: Either your team wins the championship or loses trying.
It’s a hard reality that fans may neglect to accept. This isn’t to say I’m a pessimist. I wouldn’t trade the hours I’ve spent watching any of my favorite teams over the years for anything.
But it must have been awesome to be a Green Bay Packers fan on Sunday.
It’s fitting that the Lombardi Trophy is going “home” to Green Bay, but it also made me realize how rarely fans get to watch their teams compete for a title. For most teams, there are many years between championship game appearances.
As I reflect on the NFL season that was, I am appreciative that the Jags gave me a reason to watch up until Week 17.
But now it’s time to look forward to spring training and Major League Baseball, with hopes that the New York Mets will provide me with the opportunity to feel what Packers fans felt on Sunday.
And, and for what it’s worth, about 111 million people watched Sunday’s Super Bowl XLV, breaking the previous record of 106.5 million, set last year.
I also wonder how many ate healthy during the game …
To talk sports with Andrew O’Brien, e-mail him at [email protected].
