Each year, nearly 100 million people tune in on Super Sunday to watch the worldwide phenomenon that is the Super Bowl. Football fans, party goers and commercial enthusiasts alike all watch the “big game,” and, for roughly four hours on the first Sunday in February, the world seemingly comes to a stand still.
But have you ever wondered what it was like to actually be in attendance for this cultural giant of a football game? This year, 93.2 million people viewed the game on television, whereas only 75,000 people where fortunate enough to be in attendance. This reporter happened to be one of those 75,000 football aficionados at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla.on Feb. 4, 2007.
As any sports fan can attest to, the Super Bowl is the single most momentous game in all of sports; it is the climax of arguably the most popular sport in the United States. After having the opportunity to actually attend the event, I would argue that it is in fact the most enjoyable weekend any sports fan ever has the chance to experience. Perhaps it is because this year’s game was held in Miami, or maybe it is because the Super Bowl has a magical aura about it, but the feeling of being there simply cannot be recreated.
We arrived in Miami around dusk on the Friday, Feb. 2 and headed directly toward the vicinity of Dolphin Stadium to check out what was going on down there. Upon arrival, it was amazing to see all the preparation the NFL and the city of Miami put into this event. Everywhere you looked, you were constantly reminded of where you were. Whether it was one of the thousand decorative signs donning the XLI logo, over-priced memorabilia vendors or the abundant media outlets from around the globe that surrounded the stadium, it was quite obvious that the Super Bowl was to be played at this location in two short days.
After Saturday’s mid-day festivities (including beach dwelling because when you leave Milwaukee for Miami it is essentially required) came to an end, it was time to spend the evening down at the party on South Beach. Musicians such as Jimmy Buffet, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez all performed, and celebrities such as Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman could be seen carousing down the crowed streets.
When Super Sunday finally came, it was time to experience the chance of a lifetime. There are no words to describe the sensation one feels when attending such an event, not even long and heavy rain could spoil it. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Everything from Devin Hester’s opening return for a touchdown to Peyton Manning’s hoisting of the Lombardi Trophy was emotionally stimulating given the cultural importance of this game.
There is nothing that can be put into print that does this event justice. It is simply one of those things where you just have to be there and experience what it has to offer. Luckily, I can now say I have been.
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