One of the sports world’s toughest endurance tests is finally over.
I’m not talking for the players, the coaches, or for sports journalists. I’m talking for us fans who annually commit the better part of an entire Sunday to this extravaganza game.
This year had all the makings of a great one – one of the all-time quarterback matches of all time, with the great contrast in age between the amazing Tom Brady (playing for a new team) and the new face of the NFL, Patrick Mahomes.
Sadly, it didn’t play out that way in a lopsided contest where the officiating team dominated the first half, along with a halftime show that was definitely not one for the ages – or the aged. The only “taking a knee” moment didn’t happen as a statement of social justice during the National Anthem – it was Tom Brady running out the clock in a game that was over and done early in the third quarter.
Credit to the NFL and its teams for even pulling off this season, given the COVID outbreak. Most observers of the sport – myself included – were skeptical at best last summer this season would even happen, much less finish with a viable Super Bowl matchup. But it did.
And while Raymond James Stadium in Tampa was only about a third full – mostly with health care workers who got a free pass – the league did a masterful job pulling off this event under the strangest of circumstances.
For Tom Brady, the game was a great example of that left-handed vindication for a superstar who changes teams, and finds a way to snag a seventh Lombardi trophy – against all odds.
Any further discussion of who is the GOAT in the NFL can stop at the B’s. Tom Brady now has more of these trophies in his rec room than any other team in the NFL. End of conversation.
For Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, a tough day, but we all know we’ll see this amazingly talented kid in Februaries down the road for upcoming Super Bowls with higher Roman numerals.
And then there’s the social justice piece, which permeated the NFL’s theme during the game, including a number of the commercials so many eagerly
watch each year. But somehow, the guy who started it all – Colin Kaepernick – was nowhere to be seen.
There’s no question this guy symbolizes all sorts of emotion to any conversation about football and patriotism, but that’s what these types of historical figures do. As the NFL giddily promoted Tampa’s black female coaches, and the game’s first female referee, Sarah Thomas, there’s still that dilemma of what to do with “Kap” – so he continues to be ignored.
If you think I’m overreacting to this powder keg, let me remind you that Cassius Clay – aka Muhammed Ali – refused to suit up for the U.S. Army in 1967 in his protest of the Vietnam War. It cost Clay his championship belt, and it made him a pariah among millions of patriotic Americans. He was convicted of draft evasion, fined, and sentenced to five years in prison.
CBS’s studio team and play-by-play duo, Jim Nance and Tony Romo, weren’t exactly on their games either. The drama over Chiefs’ Coach Andy Reid’s son’s tragic car accident earlier in the weekend was chilled, until a “thoughts and prayers” reference by Nance late in the game.
Those are the things that impact the outcome of these events. And while this one was certainly sad beyond sad, it seemingly played no role in the overdone pre- or post-game analysis.
But then there’s the halftime show. And I welcome the critics who will most certainly tell me I’m showing my age, including my 30 year-old son who usually despises these musical excesses, but started texting me during the opening seconds of The Weeknd‘s performance.
For the last many years, I’ve been trying to figure out what this show-stopping event in the natural middle of the game is supposed to accomplish. Is it about the true football fans or more targeted to the partiers in the room who don’t know Andy Reid from Bruce Arians (and it’s sometimes hard to tell)?
Given the hundreds of millions of people enjoying “The Big Game” around the world, you’d think you’d want to stage particularly well-known and immensely popular performers who will keep fans engaged for the start of the game’s second half.
But the NFL has struggled in this department at times, and it came to a head last night. The Weeknd has had numerous pop hits, and is a clever, creative performer. But the idea of the halftime spectacular shouldn’t be to leave most fans wondering what they’re watching.
Familiarity and anticipation are necessary ingredients for these shows. Because these shows are hard to pull off, it helps when most people know the music of say, Garth Brooks, Prince, Bruce Springsteen (we’ll come back to him), or Katy Perry. Love ’em or hate ’em, their very presence commands interest in the halftime show.
Sorry, maybe it’s my inner Clint Eastwood showing, but The Weeknd was hampered by his under-40 appeal (and perhaps I’m being generous). While a tired Classic Rock artist poses some of the same problems for the NFL (and there have been some less-than-stellar Super Bowl halftime shows by aging rockers), The Weeknd may not experience the same telltale surge in music sales that follows every one of these contests.
The show was visually intriguing – and certainly dominated social media with the memes and snark. So much of the way these halftime events are accepted seem to be predicated on their first few seconds – yes, a lot like most content where we make quick decisions based on that first impression. And it sure sounded like The Weeknd was hampered by audio problems or mandated his vocal sounded thin and looked lip-synced, even though apparently, they weren’t.
You’re probably wondering who starred at halftime in that very first Super Bowl in 1967. It was none other than trumpet master Al Hirt and a bunch of marching bands. Nothing controversial that year.
Halftime show at first Super Bowl (1967) was college marching bands and Al Hirt on the trumpet: pic.twitter.com/G2YkRUhCL2
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) February 8, 2021
And then there were the famous commercials – those multi-million dollar productions that often create more buzz than the players on the field. But once again, many fell flat in a year when messaging was important, albeit tricky.
Not surprisingly, many of these highly expensive creative efforts were leveraged on nostalgia (unlike the halftime show), and ended up falling flat. Uber Eats reunited “Wayne’s World,” Bud Lite reunited a group of their past “Legends,” a Seinfeldian effort by Tide featured Jason Alexander, Brad Garrett’s crime boss sendup for Jimmy John’s, and the repetitive “star-studded” spots hyping yet another new subscription streaming service, the unimaginatively named Paramount+.
As predicted last month, the Super Bowl is also a time when brands try to make statements, sometimes important ones about where we are as a society. My favorite of all time was Chrysler’s bold “Imported From Detroit” epic, featuring Eminem and the streets of Detroit that ran exactly one decade ago.
The country was reeling from the Great Recession, and the Motor City (yes, my home) was a symbol of both the tough times and a gritty comeback. The fact Chrysler managed to keep this spot under wraps until it actually aired was part of the accomplishment.
For Super Bowl LV, Chrysler Jeep took another shot at statement advertising, this time enlisting Bruce Springsteen to not only license music for an ad but to also start in the heartfelt production about division, reunification, and finding a way to meet in “The Middle.”
You only needed to check your social media feeds to be reminded of just how divided we are in 2021. Reactions to this 2-minute tour de force by the Boss are all over the map, suggesting that despite its great production and Springsteen’s lofty intentions, the commercial fuels the tired, divisive, tribal narrative that has sadly become part of our fabric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2XYH-IEvhI
Another unforgettable Super Bowl, right?
Well, maybe not, although even NFL commish Roger Goodell told us this was a game we’d never forget. Let’s see how this plays out on the airwaves today, as morning and personality shows tackle some of these same issues.
In 1,500 words, I’ve managed to alienate Kaepernick haters, Springsteen lovers, “Wayne’s World” fans, and the legions of Gen Ys and Zs who consider The Weeknd’s performance one of the greatest of all time.
Sorry, but we’ll save that label for Tom Brady, and congratulate Champa Bay or Brady Bay as it is now being called on a great sporting accomplishment for the team, its owners, and its city.
Hope you enjoyed the Big Game.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Best Game Ever!
Watching not from a 25% capacity bar or heated tent. Watching the game from my 89 year old fathers living room. Yes I had to provide the jumbo shrimp. He played the part of Clint Eastwood at halftime. His review was short “What is this **** .”
Besides the game got a history lesson of Air Force memories and at 14 went to Dizzy Dean’s house. Tom Brady played a good game but I think my Pop’s took the V.I.P. over the Weekend.
Scott, thanks for reminding us what great Super Bowl memories are truly about.
It was interesting that the Seinfeldian effort by Tide used the music from another TV show, “The Greatest American Hero”, the pop hit by Joey Scarbury. Also the liner card read in the 2nd half, in so many words, get a can of Pepsi, scan the QR code, get halftime extras and Tony Romo’s comment “gee that’s an awful lot of steps…” I’m sure didn’t make Pepsi too happy.
Good ears, Joel. I was trying to figure out who’s face was on that T-shirt.
As for the Romo remark, I heard it but didn’t process it. Cringeworthy.
Joel, in case you didmt know, that song was prominently featured on Georhe Costanzas answering machine in a Seinfeld episode.
Given that “radio” has radiation in its etymology, I will merely celebrate the happy fact that, for this rare instance of watching live TV in my home in Maine, I was able to pull in a crystal clear UHD over-the-air signal from my closest (44 miles away) CBS affiliate with excellent 5.1 surround sound. That was the highlight of the evening for me, and I wonder whether radio stations will ever match the brilliance of that audio quality. Now *that* would qualify for the label “super.”
So, now that we know you had great audio, did the sound of The Weeknd’s mic seem tinny and thin to you? And if so, did you think it was intended that way?
The whole performance seemed that way, and I thought, “Sorry, you can’t out-Michael-Jackson Michael Jackson.”
My wife was convinced he was lip-syncing the whole thing.
I read (somewhere) it was all live. But I agree with your wife – it didn’t seem that way.
Why doesn’t New England get players like Brady & Gronk?
Why doesn’t Pepsi still do great commercials?
:/Users/clark/AppData/Local/Temp/Vintage_Pepsi_Commercial11%20(2).mp4
Halftime What? It belongs to HOF Classic Rockers.
We’ll see more of Patrick.
Thank you, Fred! I’m jump started.
Appreciate it, Clark, and condolences to all in New England. But hey, you had one helluva run.
Just watched the linked Pepsi commercial! That was AWESOME!! (I think I found the right one–the link sent me to one of those, “Do you mean…?” pages. I saw the one with the quite unhappy young lady who does NOT receive the Pepsi she requested!) I was laughing almost to tears by the end! I barely remembered it–but am so glad you linked it and I could start the week off with a great laugh! Not a Pepsi drinker myself, but I almost feel like I owe them a can for entertaining me so–and isn’t driving me to the product the whole point?? Thanks for shaing!!
Clint Eastwood’s Chrysler “Halftime in America” ad from 2012 still the best Super Bowl ad in my book.
As a lifelong NFL fan who has been more than disappointed by the league’s blackballing of Kap, still wondering whether the sport should even exist with our knowledge of CTE and skeptical this season would survive COVID, I loved the game. Watched most of the game on TV, listened to the rest on the radio and saw none of the halftime show. Despite all my own reservations about the league and the fact I’ve never rooted for Brady, it was inspiring to see such greatness in action from a team and its GOAT leader. Equally inspiring to see Mahomes never giving up in a losing effort and still finding ways to fling the ball downfield while running for his life and getting the hell beat out of him by the Tampa defense. Reminded me of Buffalo’s Don Beebe chasing down Cowboy Leon Lett back in the 90s. Much like Detroit’s struggle, there’s a lesson in all that somewhere.
You are so right about the intensity level of both teams, especially the QBs. Brady’s performance is all that most people will remember. Mahomes, playing on a bad foot, a concussion last month, and a changed out O-line did as well as he could. His perseverance after taking those huge hits and getting chased all over the field was amazing. Thanks, Dan.
Did not anyone notice the best ever Super Bowl Flyover ever with the B2, B1 and B52…not surprising as CBS barely aired it. And the B2 was piloted a awesome women too! Great game but way to political with the obsessive NFL pandering. Nice recap Fred!
Appreciate it, Steve. Thanks for the “heads up” on the flyover!
The flyover that Troy said would never happen with Joe & Kamala in the White House. So much for ex-jock political punditry and prognostication.
There are echo’s here of your Blog about “Selling Out” Fred.
After all these years of turning away advertisers, Springsteen picks NOW to do a commercial filled with out of touch mealy mouth platitudes for a car company?
Of course I always heard Springsteen didn’t do video’s. Till he did.
And Springsteen didn’t do commercials. Till now.
Dylan has always been a chameleon while Springsteen has always played the same character and this doesn’t seem to fit.
It makes Springsteen more of a “sell out” than Bob to me. If there is such a thing as “selling out” that is.
I will admit I worship Dylan so I am biased but I enjoy some of Springsteen’s early catalogue as well.
Maybe being without those touring paychecks hurt him more than we know.
Mike, I believe the Stones were the first to “sell out” their tour way back in 1981. I remember thinking at the time, “What does a perfume company get off being the title sponsor for a band like the Stones?” I also remember thinking this could be the beginning of a trend. I was right about the second point.
I admire Bruce a lot, and I have to believe his decision to do the Jeep spot came after much consideration, and a sense his presence could help facilitate change. I’m not sure he’s right about that, but I respect his integrity. As for Dylan, you’re right – he’s been much less protective of his image, starting way back when he picked up an electric guitar.
That’s why you have to hand it to an artist like Norman Greenbaum. While the poster boy for “one hit wonder,” he’s made more money off “Spirit in the Sky” for ads and soundtracks than Bob or Bruce ever will. Thanks for commenting.
Jagger studied accounting and economics at the London School of Economics. Nuff said. The rest of the Stones are lucky he did.
I don’t question Springsteen’s integrity as much as I question his judgement.
It so laughably trivializes what is going on in this country I can’t believe he actually mouthed the words.
Some people have to come back to reality before we can talk about the “middle”.
No doubt, Mike, every day is a reminder of just how far apart we really are. Buckle up!
Old enough to remember Al Hirt in the first Superbowl Halftime. I owned a 2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, and the 200 used the frame and killed the cool name for a number. Back then, Chrysler was owned Daimler-Chrysler and mine was assembled in Mexico, with Mercedes designed parts made all over the word. Because that is what we do. But I’m not here to write about cars. One small point. You wrote “…this time enlisting Bruce Springsteen to not only license music for an ad but to also start in the heartfelt production about division, reunification, and finding a way to meet in “The Middle.”
Excuse me, but no Springsteen song I ever heard was licensed in the making of the commercial. It was just some atmospheric background to the spoken words I’d hope he wrote. Never mentions the product, and I understand that the 1980 Jeep CJ-5 in the commercial is his. Sure, he’ll get flack from both sides for it. Perhaps that’s the Red vs Blue point he was making. He’s never shied away from being on the Woody Gutherie side of the songbook, but this was about the center. Most Americans are not extremists. Neither left nor right. We are the middle. Like the metaphor of the geographic center of the the 48 contiguous states in the vastness of the Great Plains he symbolically visits.
Thanks for the clarification on Bruce’s participation. You’re right – no music was licensed, but his visual and spoken word presence is bigger than a song IMO. And we agree that while his intentions were honorable, and I believe in the spirit of the message. Of course, that’s the point – we’re so divided, it’s such a leap for us to come together, here at home or in Lebanon, KS. TY Paul.
Raider fan here so chiefs no and Brady hell no it was fumble.! The refs still give a wink to Brady all the time! Half time show my 30 year old son said his show stands for itself he didn’t need anyone as we argued where is a female artist so there is that! Chrysler has had some of the best connecting ads the Clint Eastwood ad , this Springsteen ad was in point but the one ad I saw had the most impact I always watch the game at restaurant was the Paul Harvey ad everyone stopped talking and watched and listened you g and old. So when the content and sound is compelling people stop watch and listen. BTW NFL has to something significant with Kap he isn’t going away
Angie, nice overview of the game and all the trimmings. I also wondered where the women were at halftime. In a year with female refs & coaches, that omission stood out to me, too. Thanks for commenting.
My son said that weekend hasn’t done collaborations with any top female such as cardi b my answer Santana never worked Beyoncé and he pulled it off points old rock guys