Super Bowl LX: Patriots vs. Seahawks
The nation will pause as the New England Patriots face off against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Approximately 140 million viewers, which is over a third of the U.S. population, are expected to tune in.
In his new book, *Football*, Chuck Klosterman writes, “The language and symbolism of American football permeates every aspect of American life.” He notes that it’s the only continent where the sport is taken seriously by its fans.
Klosterman, who has a strong passion for soccer, discusses soccer’s popularity while suggesting it might be doomed in the long run.
He also states, “Football is the clearest projection of how the American people think and what they value,” even if many might not actually enjoy it.
According to him, football holds significance not because of its inherent value but because it culturally feels that way. He describes it as a story that is perpetually evolving yet stays the same. “If we could take the logo off the helmet, the colors off the uniforms, and the numbers off every player’s back, that might have happened in 1920,” he explains.
Still, understanding its lasting appeal is tricky. “Soccer is hard to understand if you’ve never played it, and hard to explain if you’ve played it,” Klosterman points out.
Part of its allure lies in the thrill of socially acceptable violence. “The media’s obsession with football collisions is intense,” he tells the Post. Essentially, soccer embodies a form of war—”a simulation without the death and destruction.” Football, however, is described as a metaphor for warfare.
It enables people to reminisce about experiences they never encountered or desired.
Currently, football’s popularity seems unwavering.
Klosterman observes that of the 100 most-watched TV programs in 2023 (excluding streaming), a staggering 93 pertained to NFL football, including live games and analysis.
The other seven were college football games.
He further highlights that the 2023 Academy Awards was the 60th most popular broadcast, while an ordinary game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans ranked 59th.
“While the ratings don’t necessarily prove football is superior, they reflect what Americans want,” he notes.
Nonetheless, despite its immense popularity, Klosterman sees the sport facing a decline, particularly concerning repeated head injuries and the risk of long-term brain damage for players.
“It’s shocking that so many men put themselves at risk for such a brutal game, ending up with memory loss yet choosing to play the same way,” he comments.
Injuries will likely pose a bigger issue at youth levels compared to the NFL, where wealth can obscure risks. Parents may be hesitant to enroll their children in the sport. The culture of high school football could diminish, leading to fewer future fans.
Still, Klosterman can’t envision a complete ban on the sport. “That will never happen,” he insists. The likelihood of banning soccer parallels the improbability of repealing the Second Amendment.
In sports, the primary threat to football is tied to finances rather than safety or cultural aspects. “Professional and college football were designed for economic growth, and that hasn’t changed,” Klosterman asserts. Thus, a gradual shift in how the public perceives football may make it vulnerable over the next couple of generations.
For now, he feels soccer will endure economic fluctuations because of its popularity. But, he questions whether that will hold true in 2070, suggesting he’s skeptical.
