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As the story goes, in 1966 to promote the newly-created championship game between the venerable NFL and upstart AFL, Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt coined the phrase "Super Bowl" -- remembering his children playing with a Super Ball toy. Yeah, those things from Wham-O that drove our parents nuts when bounced inside the house. And were impossible to catch up to while watching them boink and boink about 10 feet high each hop when they got away from us. Some bouncing all the way down the street, never to be seen again. Who really knows? Some might still be bouncing.
Anyhow, the name Super Bowl stuck. It is the biggest single sporting event of the year. By far. The Super Bowl will be played Sunday. It is America's biggest unofficial holiday. It's time for wings, pizza and, for so many, booze. There are some -- which we find pretty amusing -- who even want the Monday following the Super Bowl to be declared a legal national holiday. Yeah, go ahead and chuckle. Maybe that will come after, oh say, Congress declares a national holiday for Jack and Bobby Kennedy or FDR. For starters.
There are over 332 million and counting residents of the United States. Last year, just under 100 million people watched the Rams beat the Bengals. Do the math. Yes, that figures out to about one of every three men, women and children in our country. According to one study, last year's Super Bowl was streamed by 15.5 million viewers. Another study: adult ages 18-34 (75 percent) and adults ages 35-44 (70 percent) are more likely than adults ages 45-64 (63 percent) and adults ages 65 and older (62 percent) to say they plan to watch the game. One reason is the young are more tech savvy and into streaming resources such beyond watching on a regular TV. Another reason could be --let's face it and, yes, we include ourselves here --the game starts running into usual sleep time for older folks.
Of course, the Super Bowl is not for everyone. Thank goodness for that. Our world needs the balance provided by those watching classic movies, home shopping networks and the Hallmark Channel instead of the Super Bowl. Not to mention cuddling up with a good book.
But ten of millions will watch. Researchers say 49 percent of all TV sets will be turned on to the game -- many viewers more interested in the commercials and halftime show (possible wardrobe malfunctions and all) than the game itself. There is not a clear, exact study detailing how many people will be drinking alcohol. More specifically how many people will be drinking alcohol to excess. And then getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Most will get away with it. Some won't,
People do not want to read or hear sermons regarding the evils of drink and drive. We will leave any preaching to the pulpit. But anyone with even a few functioning brain cells knows what can happen. Still, we read and hear about it every single day. About all of the tragedies and hardships that are caused. But people keep doing it. Especially on a day like Super -- not Stupor, mind you -- Bowl Sunday. It doesn't help that Super Bowl Sunday is a daylong event. By the time the game actually kicks off around 6:30 p.m., there has been an ocean of alcohol consumed across our country. A really deep ocean with a lot of drunks already bobbing in it among the empty cans, bottle and kegs.
If you are drinking to excess how hard is it to get a designated driver, call a taxi or just plain sleep it off wherever you happen to be? What about those hosting a Super Bowl party? According to the Insurance Information Institute, social host liability laws -- known as "Dram Shop Liability” -- vary widely from state to state. But 43 states have them on the books. Most of these laws also offer an injured person, such as the victim of a drunk driver, a method to sue the person who served the alcohol. There are circumstances under these laws where criminal charges may also apply. Ohio is included among those states with liability laws applicable to guests of all ages. Keep that in mind if hosting a party.
There is a reason so many vigilant cops are out and about on Super Bowl Sunday. They know where to hide too. If you are holding a party do some advance planning in case someone does get drunk at your home. Got a guest bedroom or even a couch, sleeping bags and extra blankets? Good. Make use of them.
Sunday should be a fun and not sad day. Don't screw it up by being super stupid on Super Bowl Sunday. There is just too much to lose. Starting with precious lives. Around here, we call them grave consequences
And now our pick: Eagles by 10.