Tag: Patriots

Super Bowl Nation

mariethearistocatLeave a comment

On Sunday, February 5, 2017, many amazing things happened. There was the first overtime in Super Bowl history, in the last quarter of the game the Patriots came back from a 25-point difference, and Tom Brady was awarded his fourth MVP award. This year I was a lot more in tune with what was happening on the field, but I did stick to my roots as an avid commercial watcher. This year, there were many advertisements that caught my eye.

Featuring the faces of many and the simple message that “we all belong,” Airbnb’s #weaccept commercial took my breath away. Along with spending a bucketload of money on this commercial, Airbnb is donating $4 million to the International Rescue Committee, providing for over 100,000 people in need, like refugees, for the next five years. Airbnb’s efforts are a beam of light during a time when many people’s rights have been challenged.

Another commercial that stood out was Coca Cola’s #AmericaIsBeautiful. This minute-long commercial features people singing “Amazing Grace” in over five different languages. Interestingly enough, this commercial isn’t new – in fact, it was Coca Cola’s commercial in 2014  as well. However, the beauty of this commercial is only amplified by its meaning. I think the coming together of many different people is what makes America great, and that we, as a country, should embrace those differences.

This year, I was especially excited for the Budweiser commercial, especially because of the amazing #LostPuppy commercial back in 2015. In their 29th year of Super Bowl advertising, Budweiser featured the story of one of their founders, Adolphus Busch, coming all the way from Germany to make this famous beer. This was among the many commercials to tell stories of immigration and generally embracing different cultures. The commercial shows the rough conditions that entrepreneurs had to go through to make their dreams come true – a success story that I find truly inspiring.

Unfortunately, there was one commercial that got cut short: 84 Lumber’s story about the journey of a Spanish-speaking mother and daughter. After being hotly debated, Fox decided to cut off the end of the commercial, which shows the family encountering a wall, as it was “too controversial.” Since Fox has the right to deny any advertisements they choose, the private lumber company showcased a revised version of the commercial, and prompted viewers to watch the full version on their website.

Most articles that have come out about the Super Bowl commercials have described them as overly political. I understand how the commercials could be seen that way, but the messages of acceptance are ones that need to be spread. The leaders of our country can bring up these controversial issues, but companies and organizations can’t truly voice their opinions without being seen as controversial, as many people will fight back saying that these commercials are pushing a certain agenda. How are their agendas any different from ones being presented everywhere in politics?

Superbowl Sunday

mushuooLeave a comment

I have been watching many friends and teachers walk around with a sad and slightly annoyed look on their face for the past week or so. Why? Apparently because with the close score of 22-28, the Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers in the game to determine who will play in the Superbowl XLIX this year in Arizona.

The Patriots dominated in the finals to determine which teams face off in the Superbowl, and this will be their sixth time in the Superbowl since 2001.

However, there was some controversy over the massive 45-7 victory.

There have been many accusations of the Patriots team purposefully deflating the game balls used in the AFC title game.

One specific person has caused all this havoc for the Patriots; a locker room attendant who was one of the few people to have possession of the balls shortly before the game.

Ridiculous? Maybe.

But many say otherwise.

Photo Credit: http://www.mashable.com

It’s Patriots versus the world.

 

Let’s talk Super Bowl!

backinphillyLeave a comment

I’m usually very excited for the Super Bowl. I love sitting down to watch the NFL’s best go head-to-head and duke it out for one last game for the Lombardi Trophy. Snacks on the table, soda and other drinks in plastic cups and tons of guacamole and other dips set the menu for the game of the year.

In my family, you never go hungry. Whether it be a giant Super Bowl Sunday feast, or a light mid-morning snack, you get filled up. It’s an Olivo tradition to just eat, and love to eat. Of course, it’s done in a sense of moderation. But, it’s the weekend of the Super Bowl. Screw moderation. Let’s talk football and food.

Let’s start with the game.

The Giants and Patriots are about to square off in a rematch of Super Bowl 42. As I’m sure many people remember, the Patriots were riding an 18-0 record into the game, where a win would secure a perfect 19-0 record. The Giants however were able to stop the Patriots and won the game due to the miracle David Tyree catch.

I gotta be honest. I don’t care about this Super Bowl. My family is coming up and a lot has happened in the past week. I had a personal issue that changed a lot of my Super Bowl plans, and the game simply has no appeal to me. I will root for the Patriots because I can’t stand the New york giants. When are the Eagles going to win a Super Bowl? it’s starting to get ridiculous.

Now to the food.

Nachos, burgers, hot dogs, ribs, Lay’s, onion dip, the list goes on. At the end of the day I better be stuffed.

Not much else to really say though. I’m pissed off at the game. I don’t wanna watch it. But, as an NFL crazyperson, I just simply can’t stay away. Enjoy the game. I know I won’t.

Worst Person #14-The Pro Bowl

backinphillyLeave a comment

As I’m sure everyone saw last weekend, the Conference Championships went exactly as I had planned, but not as I had hoped. I’m still fuming about the Patriots and Giants once again being in the big dance. I don’t wanna watch that crap again. It’s no fun watching the same teams compete every year when they aren’t the team you support. So, I will extend my congratulations to the Giants and Patriots and begin my post without so much as a rant about how poorly the Giants executed this past weekend, or about the 49ers’ horrible punt returner Kyle Williams. Heck, I’ll even overlook the Billy Cundiff botched kick that could have tied the game or the Lee Evans potential game-winning touchdown catch that didn’t happen. Let’s talk about the Pro Bowl.

Probably one of the most pointless contests in all of sports, the Pro Bowl has evolved into a sick joke in recent seasons. Since the game was moved to one week BEFORE the Super Bowl after being the week after for so many years, the teams in the Super Bowl must restrict the players from “competing” in the Pro Bowl. The Patriots had 8 players while the Giants had 2.

Why is this the worst thing/person of the week then?

Because the Pro Bowl shouldn’t exist. It isn’t a competition. It isn’t a serious honor bestowed upon a player by the league. It is simply a popularity contest. The rosters show dozens of players that don’t belong there, but the public and the fans don’t know any better than to elect their team’s players.

What do you think guys? Do you think the league is using the game to squeeze a little bit of extra cash out of the public?

Doesn’t look too competitive, huh?

Let’s Pause and Reflect

backinphilly1 Comment

After the Divisional Playoff games this past weekend, I am left speechless. I know I constantly preach that anything can happen in the NFL. After this weekend, once again, I was right.

Well, not about all the games. I was 2/4 this weekend, and considering the miracles that took place, I cannot be blamed. The unpredictable has once again unfolded. Let’s discuss the craziness of the Divisional Playoffs. Ya, it’s about to get crazy.

Let’s start with the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.

Easily the best game of the weekend, the Saints and ‘9ers engaged in a battle of sheer firepower. With the exception of the first quarter, the game quickly evolved into a “Game of the Year” candidate.

I was jumping out of my seat during every single play. I would have never predicted the 49ers to be in this position at the beginning of the season.

If Jim Harbaugh doesn’t win Coach of the Year, I don’t know who else could win. Harbaugh has taken full control of San Francisco, and has evolved them into a solid football team.

The rushing touchdown by Alex Smith and pass from Smith to Vernon Davis in the last 9 seconds provided excitement until the clock hit zero.

I loved everything about this game. Even though I predicted the Saints to emerge victorious, I commend the 49ers for their success.

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How about those…BILLS?!?!?!

backinphillyLeave a comment

As I’m sitting in my hotel room in Los Angeles this past weekend with my NFL-addicted family. Football games are on and emotions fly. It was a sad sight to watch the flightless Eagles perish against the equally as ineffective Giants. But, as I have known, anything can happen on any given day in the NFL. That includes the AFC East powerhouse New England Patriots falling to the usually pathetic Buffalo Bills. The New York misfit franchise came back from a score of 21-10 to defeat the Patriots by a score of 34-31. This brings the Bills’ record to 3-0. Wait, WHAT?! THE BILLS?!?! I’m not going to complain. I am tired, as I’m sure many others are, of the Patriots winning everything year after year after year. I’m glad a team finally put them in their place. However, I never thought for one second that this team would be the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick graduated from the football “powerhouse” known as Harvard University, has led the Bills through the first part of the season with perfection. However, Harvard grads rarely opt to enter the NFL. In fact, to my knowledge, only one other player in NFL history has graduated from Harvard and played for at least 7 seasons (Matt Birk). Maybe teams should add Harvard as a college of interest when they recruit players pre-draft. Certainly seems to have worked out well for the Bills. Will it last? I don’t know. Like I said, anything can happen.