I'm one of many people in favor of changing the day after Super Bowl Sunday to a national holiday. Let's face it folks, the Monday after the Super Bowl is one of the worst days of the year. If you're old enough to drink, you're probably hung-over and have to crawl out of bed to get to class or go to work.
When it comes to Super Bowl food, you probably ate too much the night before and have to pop some kind of antacid. Your head throbs with pain, so Goody's Powder is probably a necessity. Kids in grade school who watched the whole game the night before with friends and family have to struggle through the monotony of class after class after class. It's time for a change.
Seriously, who are we kidding? Most of the free world watches the game every year. I did not go to bed until early Monday morning at around 2 a.m. simply because I was still thinking about how the game played out. I was pulling for the Giants simply because I had picked them to win all week long and wanted to get that pick right. Beyond that, I had no stake in either team, but I was still jazzed up about the game hours after the contest went final. That's what the Super Bowl does to us, especially as Americans. Even if you're just a casual football fan, last Sunday is what you look forward to, beginning from week one of the regular season.
So, how many people actually watched the big game this year? For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl became the most watched television broadcast ever. Over 111 million people tuned in to watch the Giants defeat the Patriots.Now, think about how much consumption (food, drink, etc.) was taking place all day long. It's mind boggling.
The NFL should have a Last Fan(s) Standing award where fans take photos or film their parties in the aftermath of the game. Those still standing after a day of gorging themselves like the Romans should receive some sort of cash prize or a free trip to the doctor's office for a bypass surgery.
Here's a scenario: if there was a holiday on the Monday after the Super Bowl, there would be no more awkward moments at the office when you and your buddies show up two hours late and have to report to your boss. Not only are they your bosses, they just happen to not like football. They're Bill Lumbergh types. Maybe figure skating and curling are more appealing to them. You and your buddies have pay docked from your check because of your lateness. You and your colleagues decide to quit the job. The company you worked for goes belly up because there are not enough people with the job skills to take your places. Everyone else loses their job and you end up on the nightly news. Months of job growth out the window.
Now, that may be a tad bit extreme, but it's not outside the realm of possibility. None of that aforementioned scenario would have happened if you and your buddies had just had the day off after Super Bowl Sunday.
Time to face facts. I call upon this nation's Congress to introduce legislation giving Americans the day off after the Super Bowl. I'd even campaign in favor of legislation. I'm talking bus tours, speaking appearances, town halls, you name it. I'd even go retro and make a Schoolhouse Rock-esque special where there is a singing "Super Bowl Holiday" bill.
Why stop there? Sky's the limit, right? How about a United Nations resolution? That's probably too much, but at least the option is on the table.
So, another Super Bowl has come to pass. Everyone should have recovered from their big game hangover and are back to reality. Giants fans, please don't gloat too much. I like some of you and can tolerate the rest of you; just don't overdo it. Patriots fans, what can I say? You have three titles in the last decade and you still have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Next year is coming, boys and girls.
On a final note, it's too bad I'm not a food vendor or own a catering business because I would make a killing on game day. You know what? If this journalism thing doesn't work out, that will be my fallback career. Beer and wings for everyone. Amen to that.
