Newfound pride and subsequent shame

Written by Katie Ellison
Thursday, 09 February 2012 01:00

The Super Bowl is considered to be one of the most important (if not the most important) sporting events of the year. According to the Huffington Post, 111 million viewers tuned in to last year’s Packers-Steelers game to enjoy an evening of food, family and football.

This year’s New York Giants versus the New England Patriots line-up created a delicate situation in town this past week. The fact that our town is technically part of New England, but we are so close to New York, makes the rivalry lines slightly more blurred in Greenwich than they might have been had this year been a game with the Ravens and the Niners. You can’t just assume that everyone who lives in our area roots for one team or the other. This made for an awkward situation going to school last Friday — Convent of the Sacred Heart’s Giants Day, particularly as my family is devoted to the Patriots.

Now personally, I’m not all too interested in football. The Super Bowl for me is more about spending time with family and friends, eating devilishly delicious hors d’oeuvres and enjoying supremely entertaining commercials than it is about the actual game. However, once I was informed that my school would only be celebrating the Giants side of the event, all of a sudden I went from reasonably apathetic to the Patriots number one fan.

It was an odd, little social experiment. I went into school on Friday decked out in my brother’s Wes Welker gear (never having heard of him before that day) toting along two extra Patriots jerseys in case I could persuade a couple of my friends to embark on my mission with me.

It was an interesting day. It’s funny how passionate people can be about their team. Sacred Heart has a long tradition of supporting the Giants, leaving my newfound New England “pride” unwanted. I got my fair share of double takes and growls as people greeted me then nearly simultaneously frowned when they saw the New England logo emblazoned on my chest, yet in the end we did manage to laugh about the rivalry.

But regardless of their loyalties, millions of Americans tuned in this Sunday around the television to enjoy a night filled with family, friends, and of course, a mutual love of the game.

Coming into school on Monday, Giants and (the few) Patriots fans alike provided their own opinions on Madonna’s grand half-time show, the hilarity of the M&Ms commercial, and their general opinions on the outcome. A little birdie did tell me that the Giants won but I’m afraid I can’t provide any commentary on the matter.

I ended up watching the Puppy Bowl.

Katie Ellison is a junior from Greenwich at Convent of the Sacred Heart.

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