Now that we’ve talked to our kids about the unlikely rise to Stardom of 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy, and the game’s link to A-list musical acts, we can get to talking about THE ACTUAL GAME – the touchdowns, turnovers, and teams on the field of play this Sunday.
This game will feature several can’t miss star athletes.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ star power is personified by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce – both likely future Hall of Famers (and not because of their respective love interests).
The San Francisco 49ers have less iconic star power associated with their top talent – tight end George Kittle, receiver Deebo Samuel, or defensive end Joey Bosa. Maybe the Super Bowl will push a 49er into mainstream stardom?
So, as the camera pans to Taylor Swift’s box cheering her boyfriend or these modern day stars, why not tell the kids about the athletes and teams that form our own childhood Super Bowl memories?
Joe Montana and Steve Young’s San Francisco 49ers teams winning the big game dot my earliest memories. Montana owns four Super Bowl rings, Young won the game three times. This may be a good time to tell the kids that Tom Brady has the most Super Bowl rings of all time with seven. There is no doubt that when it comes to “G.O.A.T.” quarterback discussions, the number of Super Bowl rings seems to be the generally agreed upon standard of greatness. Also make note that Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, already owns two rings at the age of 28. Might he make a run at Brady’s record?
Turning from the most famous athletes to have played in the Super Bowl, I plan to tell my kids about Super Bowl MVP’s that might not have been so known – like the Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams or then-Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Nick Foles. The game’s MVP might be from an obscure position – like linebacker Von Miller (then-Denver Broncos) or Pittsburgh Steeler receiver Santonio Holmes were. These “no name” MVP’s are typically attached to iconic Super Bowl moments or games. Who might be the unknown player that rises to the occasion on Sunday?
And, while we’re talking to our children about big game moments where “no names” made an impact, how about tell them about our own Super Bowl memories.
For me, the most vivid memory remains watching the 1985 Chicago Bears dismantle the New England Patriots. I loved “The Super Shuffle Video” and the big coaching personalities of that team. Other personal moments include Green Bay Packer Brett Favre running down the field with his helmet raised after throwing a long touchdown on the first passing play of the game, or, the Tennessee Titans’ falling one yard short in their attempt to beat the Kurt Warner-led St. Louis Rams.
I can remember that we’d always gather with groups of friends or neighbors to watch the game. In stereotypical form, I seem to recall that mostly dads and kids were locked into the television while our moms chit-chatted nearby or chased us away from the tortilla chips and queso tray.
It’s funny how thinking about the Super Bowl brings up so many good, nostalgic moments – some of on-the-field performances by the game’s stars, and others about the spread of food that we prepared beforehand.
Maybe my kids will remember me boring them with useless facts during this year’s Super Bowl – about Michael Jackson’s halftime show or Russell Wilson’s inexcusable goal line pick against the Patriots.
They’ll surely remember the Taylor Swift sightings. Maybe they’ll only recall that we watched together. I’m okay with that, I guess.
Enjoy!
