Even with the age of Obama making Canadians feel more of a kindred spirit toward the U.S., there are some things, such as the gun issue, that Canucks will never comprehend.
But we get the Super Bowl. It is the American tribal dance Canadians can’t resist.
That’s despite that the closest the NFL gets to Canada is the annual Buffalo Bills game in Toronto and the cross-border affection Islanders and Lower Mainlanders feel toward the Seattle Seahawks.
Even the number of Canadian players to win a Super Bowl is limited, with Victoria-produced Ed Murray and Mo Elewonibi among that exclusive club numbering only nine.
Yet once again, TVs will be flickering in living rooms up and down the Island today watching the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, even though thanks to CRTC regulations most Canadians won’t be able to watch those mega-buck commercials that have become such a part of Super Sunday in the U.S.
(AdBlitz on YouTube will have up all the U.S. commercials today the moment after they air on American TV).
But there are still the nachos, wings, chili, chips, dip and beer with which to comfort ourselves while we watch the lame Canadian TV commercials — on a day when calories and health consciousness don’t count.
Island bars, of course, are expecting boffo business.
“We are recommending people get here by 2:30 at the very latest [kick-off in New Orleans is at 3:30 p.m. Pacific],” said Kristen Sparks, assistant manager of The Podium Sports Grill in downtown Victoria.
“But we expect people to begin arriving by noon. We are going to be packed.”
Half-time will feature Beyoncé in New Orleans and a Super Bowl chicken-wing eating contest in The Podium. What’s not to love about pop culture?
At the sprawling Strathcona Hotel complex on Douglas Street, the Bud Girls cheerleaders will be on hand to add an air of real-life Super Bowl authenticity. It is ticketed at $20 but includes a full buffet and loads of prize giveaways featuring 49ers, Ravens and other NFL jerseys.
Today will be Super for Strathcona floor manager Sandy Langford for more than just business. He’s been a huge 49ers fan “since the days of Steve Young” and will be wearing his Frank Gore San Francisco jersey. Too young to remember the 49ers Super Bowl glory days of Joe Montana, Langford is hoping this is the beginning of a new championship era for his favourite club — one he can experience for himself and call his own.
“Hopefully, it’s one of many for the 49ers,” he says.
Regardless, the day itself promises to be Super.
“Super Bowl for us [bar business on the Island] is right right up there with the Canucks Game 7 of the [2011] Stanley Cup final and Canada-USA in the [2010] Winter Olympics gold-medal hockey final,” said Langford.
But unlike those other one-offs, this is an annual Super bash, and probably outside Saskatchewan is far bigger than the Grey Cup across Canada.
“It’s not even close,” said Jamie Day, manager of the Prairie Inn Pub in Central Saanich, which today has giveaways including a fishing charter, large-screen TV, numerous NFL jerseys and a half-time hot-dog eating contest.
“It’s a much different, younger demographic for the Super Bowl than for the Grey Cup.”
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