Super Bowl 41 – Good for America

It wasn’t too long ago that many Americans felt like they needed to take a long shower after watching TV on Super Bowl Sunday. Not so with this year’s broadcast. Beginning with the Pre-Game Show intro, featuring the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, teachers and mentors of various players, this montage recognized the years of encouragement and sacrifices, made by family and friends and was both sentimental and spiritually uplifting.

Besides for Chicago’s “Tank” Johnson having been called as a witness to a recent shooting, there were no players on parole, under suspicion of domestic crimes or suspended by the Commissioner. With no Tony Kornheiser, in the announce booth, trying to insert his liberal agenda into every aspect of the game, the play-by-play of Jim Nantz was straightforward and professional.

The Piano Man sang our National Anthem and fortunately, didn’t have to drive himself off the field. The Color Guard was respected and the Air Force flyover was low and loud and right on time. The singer formerly known as Prince, who’d embraced religion, looked and sang a lot like Prince, but without the sleaze or any ‘wardrobe malfunctions’.

Big time commercials by Coke and Budweiser actually promoted good citizenship and a kind of ‘pay it forward’ philosophy. And with the possible exception of the wet T-shirt contest going on over at Go Daddy.com, it was a family friendly broadcast from start to finish. And what a finish it was. Tony Dungy, a man who lost his son to suicide, showed us all how he dealt with that adversity by coming back to win the Super Bowl just 14 month later.

But it was Coach Dungy’s post-game comments that provided the high point of the entire day’s spectacle. When asked about how felt about (both he and Chicago coach Lovie Smith) being the first Black coaches to reach the Super Bowl, Dungy said, “I’m proud to be representing African-American coaches… but more than anything Christian coaches, showing than you can win, doing it the Lord’s way…that you can win professionally, you can win with class.”

Peyton Manning, the greatest active Quarterback in the NFL and all around good guy, was humble and gracious in victory. Manning’s Super Bowl triumph after nine seasons illustrates to all Americans how to persevere and win! Friends, family, teachers and coaches who share the dream – the two best teams in the Country, quality players, wholesome entertainment, uplifting commercials, and a physically combative game…
Mix in a dose of patriotism, a dash of determination, and a lot of praise for the Lord and you’ve got a Red State nightmare – a truly inspirational football game.

See you next year at the Super Bowl.