It’s Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl Sunday has become more than just a championship play-off event. Some people laughably consider it a national holiday. Even the criminals take Super Bowl Sunday off. In 1985, when the San Francisco 49ers played the Super Bowl in Palo Alto, CA, the crime rate in San Francisco dropped 75%.
For some who do not like football, it seems that the Super Bowl has gone on forever! But, it actually all began on January 15, 1967 in the Los Angeles Coliseum with the Green Bay Packers beating the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.
I was amazed at some of the numbers that surround the Super Bowl.
- 184 million Americans are expected to watch Super Bowl XLIX according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.
- 43 million people plan to host Super Bowl parties across the U.S.
- $14 billion is expected to be spent by consumers in relation to Super Bowl XLIX…things like food, drink, decorations, merchandise and apparel.
- $4.5 million is the amount companies will pay to run a 30-second advertisement during the game.
The national anthem has been performed at every Super Bowl except Super Bowl XI when “America The Beautiful” was sung by Vicki Carr.
The person who performs the national anthem will create a reputation, good or bad. Whitney Houston’s version in 1991 at Super Bowl XXV is considered the best ever done. However, a few days after her performance it was said that she lip-synched. Apparently her mic was dead and so they broadcast a prerecorded version.
The “Star Spangled Banner” is a difficult song that most people cannot sing very well. But, in 2011, Christina Aguilera got noticed not for her voice, but for the fact she forgot the words!
Having the “Star Spangled Banner” performed in sign language began in 1992 for Super Bowl XXVI. The signer was Lori Hilary. Since then, there has been a sign language performer as well as a vocal performer to do the national anthem at the Super Bowl every year.
So…how can I tie this post to Clay Aiken? EASY!!!
On September 26, 2005, Jimmy Kimmel Live presented 60 Seconds with Jimmy Kimmel during the Monday Night Football half-time show. It was a short but cute moment when Jimmy pretended to interview Clay Aiken, 3-time Superbowl QB for the Dallas Cowboys…the topic? Passing the football! Clay Aiken’s advice, “get back to the basics.” He then demonstrated a pass to Jimmy. Clay looked like a PRO, but I think most people were surprised to see him in this funny joke!
I wonder if Clay Aiken will be watching the Super Bowl this year.
OK, Clay…which team do you want to see win this game?
