Lessons of Optimism and Faith from the Super Bowl

Yesterday was Super Bowl Day, the day that everyone loves football if only for the friendships, food and the free look at American capitalism as projected by the much aggrandized Super Bowl ads. Don't worry, if you missed the ads, you can take a look here on Hulu.com or YouTube and see voting tabulations from various social media sites at Brand Bowl 2011 sponsored by boston.com.

For me, I am happy that the  Green Bay Packers emerged victorious for the great sense of pride it gave to the small town of Glenns Ferry, Idaho where fullback Korey Hall hails from and for the optimism that gives every young athlete.

Optimism and opportunity is what America is all about; followed closely by  pride and patriotism. That is why I believe that the Brand Bowl 2011 was won by Chrysler Corporation with Eminem, "Imported from Detroit."



Some will argue with me that it was not the most popular advertisement; and I admit, Volkswagen came on strong early with a heart-tugging young Darth Vader trying ever so mightily to use The Force and then again late with a fast-racing Black Beetle teamed up with  the wildly appropriate song "Black Betty."

I was a little surprised to watch the Twitter stream in support of the irreverent Dr. House commercial, but I admit, I smiled at it too for we have to love someone so cocksure and so right. Don't we?

And I was somewhat disappointed in my Twitter stream for unapologetically bashing the halftime entertainment from the Black Eyed Peas. I thought they accomplished what they were supposed to do: pump up the people in the stands. After all, those at home were talking, eating and playing Wii.

I don't watch Glee, and I didn't watch Glee after the game, but I understand those who did thought it was the perfect ending to an evening of entertainment.

Which brings me back to the purpose of my post. Super Bowl is a day of entertainment. It is a day to feel good about the opportunities we have as Americans to play sports, enjoy friends and overindulge, and to find good  jobs that give us the ability to purchase things and be consumers.

But after the friends go home and our diets return to normal, what are we going to remember from Super Bowl?

I hope that we remember it is the cities like Detroit and its people who make America proud and optimistic. I hope that we celebrate such people who innovate, overcome and evolve, for those are the people who give us faith in ourselves.

Most of all, I hope that we respect the past as we move forward. Our greatest strength lies in the faith those from the past have for our future. Please don't ever discount their trust that we will achieve and exceed their greatest, wildest and most promising dreams.