This is in no way a rant designed to urge you not to watch the Super Bowl. Frankly, I won’t know (or care) whether you do or don’t.
Personally however, after having watched at least some of every Super Bowl for the past forty years–and actually attending one–I will not be tuning in to this one. As you might suspect, this decision was not one I have come to lightly.
I’ve said for years that I love football. Any football. I can watch repeats of Division III games on ESPN 17 at 2am on a Wednesday in June and enjoy it. So, the reasons I am not watching this Super Bowl are probably not ones you’d expect.
Here are my reasons:
Why I’m Not Watching the Super Bowl This Year
1) The cool commercials used to be a big reveal, an exciting surprise at every break in the game. Now, all the commercials have already been released on social media. The companies are getting a jump on the Super Bowl. It’s like watching Wal-Mart sell Christmas decorations before Halloween.
2) As much as I like football, it still helps to know the teams and the players. I’m not a particular fan of either team and haven’t followed any of the players. Still, the Super Bowl isn’t just about the game…it’s the whole experience. Maybe I just don’t crave the experience this year. Why?
3) I don’t know any of the performers. Granted, I am out of touch. I like Country Music, Southern Gospel, and 70s Rock. I’m a dinosaur and don’t expect to be catered to, but I don’t know ANY of the performers. That’s not their fault, but it IS where I am.
Charlie Puth is performing America’s National Anthem. Coco Jones is performing the Black National Anthem. They may be wonderful people who are a credit to their parents and their home towns, but I have no idea who Coco or Charlie are.
Brandi Carlisle is singing “America the Beautiful.” Her name is familiar, but I couldn’t tell you anything she’s done. Neither would I recognize her if she walked into the room.
The band “Green Day” is doing the Opening Ceremony Tribute. (Tribute to what, no one has said.) Green Day is kinda in the same category as Brandi Carlisle for me. I think I saw them on Letterman once, but that’s all I got.
Bad Bunny for the half-time show. Okay…I’ll admit I had not so much as heard this guy’s name before he was announced. Why Bad? And why a Bunny? What’s that got to do with anything? Wearing a dress? The whole thing is in Spanish? Fine. I don’t care. But don’t expect me to sit there and watch.
And before you ask, I’m not tuning into the other concert either. Kid Rock? Yeah, I know who he is and I know one of his songs…but seriously? I’m not switching off “The Andy Griffith Show” for that event. I must say, however, in all fairness to Mr. Bunny, the name “Kid Rock” isn’t much better.
And the last reason I’m out for this year’s Super Bowl:
4) Do you remember in 1991 when Whitney Houston did the National Anthem before the game? Maybe you’re one of the millions of people who have watched it on YouTube. Remember how you felt as that performance unfolded? The Super Bowl used to feel like a day of unity. It now reflects a divide I don’t want to have a party for.
Shouldn’t our nation’s favorite sport offer something that brings people together? Instead, this one has created bitter arguments long before kickoff. Super Bowl 2026 feels less like a celebration–and more like a statement.
I guess it’s just not a statement I want to make. Or watch.
