Same old Super Bowl? I get the knee-jerk take, but don't dismiss this upcoming iteration of America's Last Mandatory Group Fun Ritual.
Believe me, I understand the question: Kansas City versus Philadelphia? Patrick Mahomes vs. Jalen Hurts, head coach Andy Reid vs.
Nick Sirianni, matriarch Mama Kelce chased all over town by the football paparazzi....Didn't we just do this NFL clambake? And it's true. We had this exact AFC/NFC matchup a couple of years ago, in the Arizona desert, where the slippery Chiefs narrowly prevailed.
This time, it's different. I'm not saying that in an obsequious sports media social-contract way, where I'm supposed to act like a sporting event is going to be good, even if it's lame. You know me. I'd tell you if this game is lame. I'm not trying to sell you shampoo and pretzel sticks. I don't mind if you skip the expensive commercials and walk the dog during the halftime show.
And there is Chiefs fatigue, I won't ignore it. This will be Kansas City's third straight trip to the Super Bowl, and its fifth in the past six years. Folks get sick of sunshine and free pizza, so it's hard to be shocked by grumbling that the Chiefs are too good, too ubiquitous, too protected by the referees and other standard-issue NFL moaning.
This is what happens when you're great, of course. We complain about it. People used to whine about Roger Federer winning too many tennis matches, and now those hypocrites would give anything to watch that one-handed backhand one more time.
Also, the back-to-back champion Chiefs are going for the Super Bowl "three-peat," a term former Lakers coach Pat Riley registered as a trademark (literally), and you're going to get so sick of hearing "threepeat" over the next two weeks you're going to need to invest in noise-cancelling headphones or dig a small tunnel under your garage and hide there until Feb. 9.
This story is from the January 28, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
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This story is from the January 28, 2025 edition of The Wall Street Journal.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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