Monday Morning Quarterback
Not Like Us...The Symbolism in the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
I was obviously as disappointed in the game as some people were by the halftime show. One team kissed the ring, and the other team got a ring, so it's interesting how all that karma Taylor talks about turns out. Rarely am I on the right side of karma; even when I think I am, the snakes reappear with another life. Every day, it becomes glaringly apparent how we ended up in this place in society, and folks’ reactions to the halftime show solidify that notion. People want to be entertained; they don’t want to analyze—people long for familiarity, not critical thinking. People want a clown show circus, not a symphony. Life is much easier to navigate that way. Maybe next year we can have a bot show generated by AI.
The reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s brilliant halftime show sent me spiraling this morning while contemplating my work. I doubt the Pulitzer Prize Winner and 22-time Grammy Winner cares about the critics. It’s easier to conform and be a Monday Morning Quarterback than to get in the arena and live on your terms. I’ve long been a fan of Lamar because he is open about his sobriety and doesn’t conform. He sees the bigger picture of life and was able to masterfully orchestrate that deep wisdom in his performance.
The outcome of the game did more to solidify the goat status of MJ and Jeter, putting into perspective how difficult consistently replicating greatness over a three-year time span can be and how we may not see anything like it again in the super team era. Lebron and the Chiefs told us they were going to do it, but they didn’t even come close. This weekend did bring the glorious return of College Softball, where the four-time defending champions started strong in a rebuilding year, but that feat doesn’t carry the same weight as the pros for the media.
When I think I can leave this alone and not respond1 and return to working on my memoir, another message is received. Don’t be wise, don’t be smart, and don’t appear all-knowing. That tone is not trending right now; it’s how the Democrats lost the election. People don’t want to read articles that sound elitist; people just want a feel-good story, especially if the good works in their favor. Pause, breathe, and….
In my 2025 quest to break up2 with my phone and social media, I continue to practice responding rather than reacting. It’s safer for me just not to scroll, but when I do, I’ve resisted the urge to comment. It is possible to scroll on by. However, I’m finding that if I don’t let it out somewhere, the frustration mounts, which only ends up hurting me. I would say I’m doing more data gathering and fact finding on social media than anything. I’m seeing a growing trend in mansplaining and downright mean responses from men on women’s posts. Pretty much blaming the women for the hate and division in our country. That tracks!
College Sports
Last week, I declared that Auburn and Duke had separated themselves from the rest of the field. A week later, the field is wide open, and I’m back to declaring I know nothing about sports. The safe bet is to root for the opposite of who I say. The same can be said for the Women’s game, so March is shaping to be must-watch TV.
If you love March Madness like I do, be sure to listen to this week’s podcast, where we talk all things March Madness in Las Vegas and the community surrounding the greatest week in sports. If you don’t know much about Vegas but want to go, reach out. Planning people’s Vegas trips is my greatest strength; I should make that my career.
As we brace for more snow in KC, Spring Training starts this week, so we turn our attention to the diamond and long for warmer days. I’m hunkering down to write the story I want, the story that probably won’t sell, the story that will confuse people, the story people will disagree with, but at least it’s the story I want to tell, and it’s my truth. At the end of the day, I have to be okay with not being like most other people.
I am actually celebrating demonstrating maturity in not reacting. It’s an interesting place to be for me, but I think it’s key to my emotional sobriety.
It’s so freeing!
No surprise here but I LOVED the halftime show!!! Kendrick was incredible, I loved the song choices and staging, and of course, SZA. Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. It’s so great to have a place to write out actual analysis and thoughts instead of spinning wheels in a comment section.