[Image retrieved from SportsLogos.net]
By Katie Tercek
As Super Bowl LI approaches, football fans at St. Bonaventure University will be tuning in on Sunday to watch the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
The Patriots’ quarterback, Tom Brady, has lead the team to a 14-2 season which puts them ahead of the Falcons, whose quarterback Matt Ryan lead them to a 11-5 season.
Statistics may show that the New England Patriots are a better team, but that does not stop the hopes of Atlanta Falcons fans.
“I’m on the Falcon bandwagon because I am from Buffalo, and we have an integrated hate of the Patriots and Tom Brady,” said Max Weiss a senior and marketing major.
“I am actually from Philadelphia, so I have a love for Matt Ryan, being from that area,” said Kyle Allen a senior and marketing major.
However, the New England Patriots fans are staying confident as they stick to the statistics of their team’s season.
Father Ross Chamberland, O.F.M., a professor and friar at St. Bonaventure University, said he’s rooting for, “The New England Patriots because they’re the best team in the league.”
“I want the New England Patriots to win because one of my first memories ever was me and my dad watching Super Bowl XXXVI. We’ve always been fans of the Patriots, and I live 45 minutes away from there,” said Matt Swansey a senior and management major.
“I will be rooting for the New England Patriots because I was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. I am a diehard New England Patriots fan” said, Alec Walt a senior and sports studies major
If the New England Patriots do fall short of winning, their fans say they are still proud of how far they have come.
“It’s the Super Bowl. It’s the two best teams in the league,” said Walt. “You can’t get that much smack talk when your team is in the Super Bowl.”
The campus may have differences about the game, but not what food and drinks they will indulge in on Super Bowl Sunday. Buffalo chicken dip, tortilla chips, soda, beer, pizza and wings were the most frequently mentioned.
The Super Bowl is known for the national anthem, commercials and its annual halftime show. Some fans said they look forward to the Super Bowl solely for that reason.
Caroline Power, a junior and strategic communication major, said she looks forward to the commercials and halftime show.
The responses about Luke Bryan singing the National Anthem were positive and enthusiastic. The opposite response was given about Lady Gaga performing at the halftime show.
“I feel like she was more popular three or four years ago and we could have gotten someone better,” said Allen.
“I could care less about the halftime show,” said Walt.
Considering the Super Bowl happens every year, many people have formed traditions with their friends and family over time.
“When I was little we use to get together to watch it at my uncle’s house, but now I just enjoy watching it with friends,” said Power.
“It’s usually a family tradition to gather around and watch it, but here it’s just getting together with friends to watch it,” said Allen.
“I plan to watch the Super Bowl with the friars,” said Chamberland.
Whether you are celebrating Super Bowl LI to enjoy food, drinks, live entertainment or to see your favorite team win, the St. Bonaventure campus will be putting aside any rivalry to enjoy the game with each other.
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