At the mention of sports, my mind draws a blank. There are not many that interest me, not many that i follow or that i feel inspired to see. Some that i find entertaining are ruggby, MMA, and—perhaps a testament of my true origins—futbol (a.k.a. soccer), and Mexican free wrestling. So I guess I have not been incredibly interested in american sports. Today is different. I feel part of a ritual that unites the people of the land which has been my home for more than eight years.
Today is the XLII Superbowl and I must admit i feel a bit different. When Obama was voted by the majority of American voters as the next president of the United States I felt I could become more committed, more attached to this country of the free, as I was witnessing that the values that are sung and recited still hold true in these times of hardship. I cared.
The day Barack Obama became the President I did like many other Americans. I went down to the pub and watched this historic event in the company of my fellow citizens. It was a touching moment for obvious reasons, but not so obvious was that feeling, again, of caring.
Today I watch the superbowl caring, not for the teams, or for the commercials, nor for the illusions of becoming an "American." I watch for solidarity. It is in tough times that people bind together. In these times of economic and social uncertainty I care for an event that, as the Obama inauguration, will bind people, and will connect them in a spiritual level.
Last weekend FT columnist Simon Kuper wrote a column that speaks about some of the meanings he sees in the Super Bowl, click here to read it. Enjoy.
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