Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest secular holiday in the United States; in fact, it might be the biggest holiday in America, period.
Some people might take offense to my use of the word holiday, but the Super Bowl has become far more than just a sporting event, it seems to be one of the last holidays that all Americans, no matter what their religion, ethnicity or political creed, can still celebrate together. And what is a holiday except a time for everyone to get together, eat, drink and be merry? In that sense, Super Bowl Sunday is a holiday, and people deserve to have some time to relax from one of the biggest gathering days of the year.
Some may question the logic of making a holiday out of a sporting event, and in that same vein, wonder why football should be so privileged. Such thinking is asinine, however, because it is the people of the U.S. who have already made the Super Bowl a holiday by their incessant and consistent observance all that is lacking is an official seal.
While other sports are passionately followed, none come close to reaching the massive popularity of the NFL, the highest grossing sport in terms of profit.
Also, from a more reasonable perspective, the Super Bowl is a single championship game, while the other popular sports such as basketball, baseball and hockey are decided in a series of championship games, making it impractical and irresponsible to create any kind of national holiday surrounding them.
From a perspective of safety it makes sense because it is unrealistic to think that people are not going to indulge themselves during the Super Bowl, but if they don’t have to rush home because of work or school in the morning there will likely be fewer DUI drivers on the road than there will be on this coming Sunday night.
It is also well known that the Monday after the Super Bowl is one of the most “called-out” days of the year. And those who do show up to work are usually tired and unproductive. So, why should we make everyone do it? It just doesn’t make sense.
Whether one likes it or not, the Super Bowl cannot be ignored, it stands as the shining beacon of all that it means to be American in the 21st century, but the unity that the game brings is unique all its own and should be honored and observed.
