Is the Super Bowl even about the game anymore? Based on the coverage I have seen the past two weeks I find that hard to believe.
Every unwanted fact about each player is made into a story and ESPN just plays up any story they can think of that will draw ratings.
I have heard so much about the Harbaugh brothers that at this point I just don't care.
This past Tuesday during Media Day was an extreme example of this. The original purpose of this event was productive but it is now a sideshow. The biggest stories to come from it were old stories, and a player stating his own glory.
Ray Lewis fielded questions about his murder charges 13 years ago, which has already been written about enough during this years' playoffs. The one meaningful thing during Media Day was the allegations of using antler spray as a PED.
Then there was Randy Moss, making headlines proclaiming that he was the best wide receiver ever.
Yes that's right a player stating how good he is was the story. Neither of these matter when it comes time to play on Sunday.
I know that two weeks is a lot of time to fill about just one game but it seems over the past few years the stories that are coming out leading up to the game are becoming more and more ridiculous and unnecessary.
Maybe it's just because I am getting older and have a better understanding of the news process but for me it is just too much.
It doesn't help that my interest in football has been dwindling over the past few years but when it comes Sunday the game is secondary.
I am more looking forward to getting together with my friends and having a good time. The Super Bowl is just an excuse for this.
Stephen Valenti is a senior journalism major from Lansdale, PA. He can be reached at stephan.valenti@student.shu.edu
