Declaration of Independence and the Super Bowl

Tears Before Kickoff of the Super Game being played in a giant bowl in Glendale Arizona

I am sure there are going to be a number of articles floating around the world wide web about the big game. The game was football at its highest level in a game that was truly super, bowl of salsa and all. This great game pitted an underdog wildcard from New York against an unbeaten team of giants that go by the name of patriots from New England, and it lived up to the hype and surprised everybody as it was being played in Glendale Arizona. The ending was awesome, the game was fun, and the true MVP of the game should be the resiliant defense of the New York team. Little Manning got his ring as big brother watched. Truly a game for the ages.

But what affected me most had nothing to do with the game. And I know, this is nothing new, but the tradition begun by the Football League is a National stroke of genius. . . The introduction before the game that was the reading of the Declaration of Independence using past players, present players, and other football personalities was truly a mesmerizing event that left me with tears in my eyes and pride in my heart.

Kudos to the people of the network, and the league, for such an awesome display of patriotic and historical character.

The PipDiv-I Stud

301 days ago

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This was a touching and appropriate mixing of patriotism and sports. It was not jingo-istic, it was not shoving anything down anyone's throats. It was a proud display of our history and I loved it. Who knew Fox could do something like that properly?

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

301 days ago

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It was a terrific segment and what was most poignant was FOX thanking the military for 200 YEARS of bravery, sacrifice and courage.

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FrankDDiv-I Stud

301 days ago

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I know that going against the grain on AGM opens you up to endless negative comments, not to mention commenting in general about something 'patriotic' makes you come off as un-American, but frankly I think the Declaration thing was really cheesy up until the players got involved. If it would've just been the players reciting it that would've been super classy. But the sheer fact people dressed up like Jefferson and Hancock just struck me as being really, really hokey. come to think of it, that was the only part I didn't get. Other than that it was class, especially with Tillman's wife and the Man himself, Jim Brown.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

301 days ago

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It strike me somewhat odd for FOX/NFL during the re-enactment sequence to rip the British, especially after having a regular season game be played in London.

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WoodsmeisterVarsity Captain

301 days ago

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Despite being owned by an Australian, Fox would like to remind you that they are more patriotic than any other network. Huzzah!

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

301 days ago

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Is that why the network employs Geraldo Rivera, a notorious news "correspondent" that once gave away a key US military position on the air?

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FrankDDiv-I Stud

300 days ago

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But England used to own Australia...so I guess they understand America's struggle.

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Taytay 24All-American

300 days ago

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Not really, Frank. America fought for their independence, while Australia and the UK simply passed a bill. No struggle there. Besides, Rupert Murdoch has been a US citizen for over twenty years, and a resident for at least that long.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

300 days ago

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I thought that it was tasteless in implying that it's American to love football and only Americans can appreciate football. It made a mockery of our founding fathers and also led one to believe that it was Patriot-centric.

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FrankDDiv-I Stud

300 days ago

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I agree with that Patriot consideration. That's exactly what I thought when I saw it.

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Frank StevensonRed-Shirting

300 days ago

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What about the poor Canadians?

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RawbeezeitzAAA-er

300 days ago

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I just thought it was silly. I laughed almost the whole time. The actors playing our Founding Fathers making fat jokes about George III. Halfway through it, my friend Mike says "I guarantee Ladainian 'Classy' Tomlinson will be in this." Lo and behold, there he was, in all his classiness. I didn't disagree with it, didn't even get what point it was supposed to have. Are these high production value introductions really necessary? It's the Super Bowl, people are going to watch, even if there's a token NFL on Fox intro.

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ButterwoWaterboy

300 days ago

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Some of you know I raised questions about the logic of combining patriotism, militarism, and football in the story of the wounded Iraq war veteran who inspired the Giants. Well, this pre-game segment merely makes explicit what I was arguing is often implicit--that football is a convenient vehicle for excessive displays of nationalism. The fundamental question is: who and what are served by having such a segment during a football broadcast?

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RawbeezeitzAAA-er

300 days ago

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honestly, what's wrong with nationalism?

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Taytay 24All-American

300 days ago

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Nothing is wrong with nationalism or patriotism. But two ways it is treated bother me:

1) When patriotism is equated with militarism.

2) When patriotism is treated as a mockery, which I think silly costumes in a piece before the Super Bowl qualifies as.

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Steel TownAll-American

300 days ago

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Taytay, I agree with your first point, but the second one seems silly to me. Would you prefer that dressing up like the founding fathers be left to second graders in the school play?

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Taytay 24All-American

299 days ago

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Elementary school plays: fine. Adults in costume: a bit hokey. The part with the various NFL representatives was OK, but the community theatre was. . . I don't know, not offensive. . . just silly.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

298 days ago

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The Declaration of Independence is related to the Superbowl in what way? I am still confused about any positive connections there. It was another example of the low level of discourse to which this country has fallen. The problem with Nationalism, folks, is that it seeks to silence dissent. Guess who dissented? THE FOUNDING FATHERS. It is not the particular stance that one takes, but the ability to accept the wide variety of positions, opinions, and perspectives that are a part of a democratic society that says the best about our country. Physical force, militarism (even the symbolic militarism that is football), and the blurring of those lines says some very bad things about the unfortunate turns this country has taken. Is it possible that one of the things that so many found so inspiring about the segment was the wisdom and beauty of the words themselves? I've always thought they were inspiring words and comparing them to a (war) game demeans the words, I feel.

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