Watching the Super Bowl when your team is in it - is it different? Do (1 Viewer)

[Sweet Love]

Almost forty year-old, long suffering Jets fan here. I've never had the nerve-racking pleasure of watching my team in the big game and was thinking whether I would do something different. Over the past decade, I've gone to a few SB parties, watched at home with the family, and even worked through a couple (including the Tyree catch game...ughhh!).

The closest I have come to being passionate is when the Panthers were in it about 10 years ago (we live in NC). I had a lot of fun and just remember that one more (along with rooting against the Pats) more than any others (even though I did not do special on those occasions).

Just curious how it differed the year(s) your team was in there.

 

[seahawk 17]

I usually have a party every SB we get a keg, flag football game, and field goal kicking contest. During Seattle's Super Bowl in 2005, I watched the game by myself, festivities were canceled and I didn't drink a lick of alcohol.

This year I have no idea what I am going to do if they make it. Seattle has had only one SB appearance in my lifetime with a 9 year lapse if they make it this time. SB's are so hard to come by, it may be the last one in my lifetime.

 

[ShamrockPride]

That's the scary things with super bowls that I'm sure even players feel. Each time (even as a rookie) could be your last.

I was lucky enough as a 10 year old to watch the Bucs win back in 02. But the way things have been lately you always doubt about getting back to that elite status.

God willing that I live to see the rest of a normal life as I'm 22 at the moment, you would love to think that you'd have to get back to the top over the course of another 40, 50 years. Just never know though. I'm sure Browns and Jags fans feel much the same.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

When my team's in it, I'm pretty focused on the game. Most years when my team isn't in it, I spend more time walking around the stadium, taking in the atmosphere, etc.

 

[PatsFanCT]

It all depends on the game. When the Pats played the Bears, I went in pretty much knowing they'd get their ### whooped, so I was just happy with them being there. Almost the same when they played Green Bay in 96, but they actually gave me some hope in that game. Losing to the dominant teams wasn't as heartbreaking as you would think, because being there was a great feeling.

In 2001 against the Rams, I didn't think they had much of a chance either, and wasn't expecting a win, but when it happened, there was no better feeling in the world. I literally just kept saying "Holy #####, Holy #####,Holy #####," over and over…and couldn’t stop.

However, when your team is favored and expected to win, that's where it gets pretty hairy. Carolina and Philadelphia both had me nail scrapping the top three layers of wood off the bar, but the wins were great. Not St. Lois great, but great just the same.

2007 was clearly the heartbreak game. I still think about what could have been. The last game against the Giants was bad, but not nearly as bad as 2007. I can get over that one. But I'll never get over 2007.

[SIZE=11pt]As for this year, I feel like the Pats are playing with house money. If they get there, I'll be ecstatic, but I'm not so confident they'll even be in the game if they do. In fact, I think beating the Broncos this week will be a better high than the low of losing the Super Bowl. But of course I'm hoping for the 2001 feeling all over again.[/SIZE]

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

It definitely makes a big difference although how I feel leading up to the game is largely based on the expectations for your team in the game. When the Bills finally made it to the Super Bowl vs the Giants in the 90 season, I was on a cloud for the entire week leading up to the game. It definitely helped that the Bills were the favorite in the game and the expectations were sky high for that team. The next year vs the Redskins, my expectations were still pretty high but definitely tempered by the previous years game and the fact that the AFC still hadn't won the game in a long time. The next two games vs Dallas felt like a funeral procession leading up to the inevitable blowout and subsequent public humiliation of getting a public #### kicking yet again.

 

[Sweet Love]

I usually have a party every SB we get a keg, flag football game, and field goal kicking contest. During Seattle's Super Bowl in 2005, I watched the game by myself, festivities were canceled and I didn't drink a lick of alcohol.

This year I have no idea what I am going to do if they make it. Seattle has had only one SB appearance in my lifetime with a 9 year lapse if they make it this time. SB's are so hard to come by, it may be the last one in my lifetime.

This is kind of what I was wondering about...so as of today, you do not know whether you will be hosting a party? Sounds like a great shindig you throw; if you were my friend, I'd be rooting for the Hawks to lose this weekend...lol.

 

[johnadams]

Super Bowls when my team are in are strictly a family affair. It's stressful, lots of yelling, and absolutely matters more than just about anything. It's an emotional high when they win and absolutely crushing when they lose. I can't let the general public see how rabid I get and my family is just as nutso. I'm surprised nobody in my family had a heart attack or stroke last year when my niners lost.

When my team isn't in, I might throw a party, go to someone else's party, or whatever. I definitely watch and occassionally have light action, but it's relatively stress free and I can enjoy the game a bit more.

 

[The Hank]

I normally watch the Super Bowl at large parties when my team, Steelers, are not in it; when the Steelers have played in their last 3 superbowls, it was either by myself or with a couple close family members - And I was a nervious wreck the entire time

 

[netnalp]

When the Giants have been in it, I record their playoff games and SB. The wins I've kept the loses I've erased. I re-watch those games during the off-season when I'm antsy for football. During those playoffs and the days up to the SB I watch and read all the stuff I can on the coming games. When the Giants are in the SB I only watch with Giants fans or people I know that will watch the game.

When the Giants aren't in it, I watch but I'll read during commercials or have it on as background noise. If it looks to be a good game then I'll pay more attention.

 

[seahawk 17]

I usually have a party every SB we get a keg, flag football game, and field goal kicking contest. During Seattle's Super Bowl in 2005, I watched the game by myself, festivities were canceled and I didn't drink a lick of alcohol.

This year I have no idea what I am going to do if they make it. Seattle has had only one SB appearance in my lifetime with a 9 year lapse if they make it this time. SB's are so hard to come by, it may be the last one in my lifetime.

This is kind of what I was wondering about...so as of today, you do not know whether you will be hosting a party? Sounds like a great shindig you throw; if you were my friend, I'd be rooting for the Hawks to lose this weekend...lol.

My neighbor is a huge 49'er fan, and despite that fact he is one of my best friends. Our family's get together every weekend, most of the time at my house (I have RZ, he doesn't.) except if the 49'ers play Seattle at home then it's his house, and playoff games. Seattle/NO big party at my house, SF/CAR party at his. We are very similar in the fact that we live and die with the team. If they win great, if they lose it's a bad day. For the most part we are respectful of each other. He didn't say anything during NO game, I didn't say anything during the CAR game.

So dilemma, what do we do for the NFC Championship? We decided to have a joint party. I will be hosting approx 20 Hawk fans, he will host approx 12 + SF fans. People can go back and forth between houses and hang out, or if need be they can "pack up" with their fellow fans. Ok cool, sounds like fun.

Above I posted we are pretty respectful to each other, except when our teams play. We both agree that our respective teams are douchbags... yet we can't help getting caught in the hype. When Seattle beat SF he was a little ##### and wouldn't talk to me, when SF won we got in a little scuffle. All of this is compounded by other people egging us on, and booze. So Wed is here. We're both nervous and anti social. We're talking about either watching the game solo, going to BWW, or going ahead with the party which now sounds lame because we don't want to be around other obnoxious people or each other. We may even go as far as banning hard liquor...

Our wives think we're immature and stupid. Our friends and family absolutely love it. Just typing about it I realize how dumb we are, but that's football.

So to answer you're question in a rambling post, have no clue what to do when it comes to the big game. I think NFC Championship may be more stressful just based on a pride factor.

 

[ebsteelers]

its scary.

steelers alway play close games. then you add that its the super bowl.. 5 hours of gray hair and being scaried.

 

[Da Guru]

I wish I could answer that question, I would not even know if watching a "Wildcard" game would be different.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Pretty much the struggle is:

- watch by yourself

- go to the game (somehow)

- watch with a party group

- watch with an old friend who has survived the years in the desert with you (for me it was my Dad)

Also, drink or not drink? Sober is the way to go because you want to absorb every millisecond, but this goes out the door at a party of course.

Then, WHAT IF YOU WIN? Oh ####:

- Go the French Quarter and Go Absolutely fn NUTS!!!!!!!!! (Adjust to your city, but in NO it was already Carnival so yeah)

- Lay down in your front lawn with a bottle of something and just mutter inanities until sunrise, repeat for a week (applies only for first time winners)

 

[drummer]

Just do what Raider fans do: riot.

 

[Not Sleeping]

Yeah, it's a very different experience. I had become so accustomed to watching Super Bowls at large parties when my 49ers weren't in it, that I was kind of taken off-guard by how annoyed I was with all the people I watched with last year. Too many wives and kids and barely-fans that it gets distracting when you just want to focus on your team. And then of course the loss was something I had never had to feel or experience before. That was rough. I remember as a little kid writing down the Super Bowl history on paper, counting up which teams had the most wins, most losses, etc. The 49ers won their first when I was 8 years old, and then I got to see them pile up that flawless SB record. That Zero in the loss column for us 49ers fans meant a lot. It really sucked to lose it.

With that said though, I still plan to watch the 49ers in this year's Super Bowl with the same group of friends as last year. Because when they do win a big game, it's pretty damned great to have a whole house going crazy.

 

[Pipes]

I normally watch the Super Bowl at large parties when my team, Steelers, are not in it; when the Steelers have played in their last 3 superbowls, it was either by myself or with a couple close family members - And I was a nervious wreck the entire time

Packers fan here and same with me. small party for the win against the Pats. No party just the wife, sister and brother law for the loss against the Broncos. For the win against the Steelers a couple of years ago was at home with just the wife and kids and a complete wreck. Most other years go to a local bar or a party at a friends house.

 

[JAMES!]

Is it different? Of course.

 

[Tanner9919]

Almost forty year-old, long suffering Jets fan here. I've never had the nerve-racking pleasure of watching my team in the big game and was thinking whether I would do something different. Over the past decade, I've gone to a few SB parties, watched at home with the family, and even worked through a couple (including the Tyree catch game...ughhh!).

The closest I have come to being passionate is when the Panthers were in it about 10 years ago (we live in NC). I had a lot of fun and just remember that one more (along with rooting against the Pats) more than any others (even though I did not do special on those occasions).

Just curious how it differed the year(s) your team was in there.

Giants fan here..first SB against Denver, you had this overwhelming sense that your team was going to win, no matter what..Giants were far better than Denver..1990 was very nervous feeling..the Giants were double-digit dogs against Kelly's high-powered offense..the feather in the cap was that at least the Giants beat the snot out of Montana in the Championship Game, and that was something good to fall back on in case the Bills smoked us..

2000 sucked.you kept hearing 'if' all week, like 'if the Giants do xyy they have a distant shot to win' .you knew that team was going to get beat down, and badly..the bar was quiet that day..

2007 after being road warriors in playoffs and nearly stopping the undefeated Patriots

in week 16, you KNEW the Giants would run with NE, that it wouldnt be a blowout..after the Giants impressive opening drive, some 8 minutes long, it was 'game on!' we are in this to win againt the second undefeated team in SB history.at halftime I kept saying " they're letting us hang around too long, NE better do something, we're going to win this thing' the last drive was a nail biter..the Plax TD priceless..but the cheering we did when Brady came out and got sacked up the gut, was great..we were going mad..his throws were off, you knew at that time , they DID it! Brady wasnt pulling it out this time..In 2011 SB, it was like, 'ok its payback for 2007 , NE is going to floor us here' ..I thought Gilbride called a hell of a game offensively..at the end, when it was time for Eli to do his magic SB winning drive once again, you felt very confident that he'd deliver the goods..Bradshaw's fall down roll into the endzone was awesome..watched 2007 SB at a friends house in Wayne, Nj, 2011 SB at home..went equally crazy at the end of each game!

the rides to the '07 and '11 SB's were all nail biters...if Miles Austin makes that catch in Dallas in '07 div round, he is still running today..

the two games SF played in 2011 postseason - in particular v. Saints and then v. Giants - were two of the best, most competitive I've seen...

I remember the Roger Craig fumble in 1990 Championship Game, it felt the same as Favre's OT int in 2007 NFCCG..

the Jim Burt assault on Montana in playoffs in 1986, and Leonard Marshall's burial of Montana, face first into the SF turf in 1990, are things you fondly remember..all the games leading up to the SB are just as exciting..they were all great rides to be on..

 

[BassNBrew]

Almost forty year-old, long suffering Jets fan here. I've never had the nerve-racking pleasure of watching my team in the big game and was thinking whether I would do something different. Over the past decade, I've gone to a few SB parties, watched at home with the family, and even worked through a couple (including the Tyree catch game...ughhh!).

The closest I have come to being passionate is when the Panthers were in it about 10 years ago (we live in NC). I had a lot of fun and just remember that one more (along with rooting against the Pats) more than any others (even though I did not do special on those occasions).

Just curious how it differed the year(s) your team was in there.

Panther fan here.

Didn't do anything much different but the game was so intense and I felt like I had the stomach flu for 2 days afterwards.

eta: When they upset the Eagles two weeks before we got lit up, drug a ladder up to the neighbors house who was an Eagles fan, and hung a huge Panthers flag from the second story.

 

[sho nuff]

When the Packers have been in it...I think I probably end up drinking a bit more to calm down a bit. Plus friends seem to jazz me up with my team in it that I should drink more and end up probably doing a few shots with people when the Packer score.

Probably joke around a lot less. Don't care as much about the prop-bet sheets we do or the number squares and all that.

 

[dmac37]

I wish I could answer that question, I would not even know if watching a "Wildcard" game would be different.

This

But I am one of only 80,000 people on earth in the last 50 years to watch a Lion playoff win live, should have kept that ticket and framed it for the man cave.

 

[Steeler]

It's 50/50 between staying home and going to a party when the Steelers are not in the SB, but when the Steelers are playing I either stay home with family only, or go to the game itself

I was 12 years old in 1979 so I obviously watched the first 4 Steeler Super Bowls at home.

In 1995 against Dallas I was a nervous wreck the entire game but felt the Steelers were going to pull it out when they got the ball back with ~5 minutes left down by only 3. I had Emmit Smith that year in FF and watch a lot of Cowboys games and each game the Cowboy's lost during the regular season they got this WTF look/posture/whatever like "We are the Cowboys, how is this happening to us?" and I swore I saw it on the Cowboys duringthe 4th quarter of that SB. Bam Morris couldn't be stopped, onside kick, Steelers had all the momentum. O'Donnell threw the first pass too high on first down but A. Hastings got two hands on it and still couldn't hall in that pass. After the game we learned he was playing with a partially separated shoulder. The next O'Donnell pass was to Larry Brown and the game was basically over at that point. I was devastated by that loss because I wanted to experience a SB win as an adult.

In 2005 the Steelers beat the 4 of the top 5/6 offenses in the league that year in CIN, IND, DEN, and SEA. The run this D went on would be remembered more if there wasn't controversy around the SB. Speaking of their run in the playoffs, I remember a bunch o things vividly from the IND game. The Steelers came out throwing the ball early to get a 14-0 lead on their first two possessions and then started leaning on their running game. I also think Cowher had his single best coaching moment of his career in this game. When T. Polamalu made that diving interception, rolled over, fumbled and then recovered it himself everyone thought it would be Steelers ball. And when the call was overturned he was as calm as I have ever seen him. I think his calmness kept the team from freaking out and helped them continue to play well. When J.Betttis fumbled at the one yard line I jumped off my couch and screamed "HE FUMBLED THE BALL!?!?!?!?!?!" I went from thinking the game was sealed to thinking they would lose. Would have been a crushing way to lose given how good they played in that game, along with it being Bettis' last year.

In 2008 my brother and I went to the game in Tampa. Simply the best day of my life (not related to my family, marriage, kids born, etc). I might feel different is the Steelers lost, but they didn't It was a great game, pretty much back and forth the whole time, with huge plays by both teams. When Fitz caught his long TD he looked at the jumpo tron behind us and I could have sworn he was looking right at me. After that I said to my brother, "Ben is going to pull this out" S. Holmes' catch was awesome and Woodley sealed the game with a sack, Harrison's INT return was toward our endzone too. We hung around the stadium as long as possible near the Steelers locker room entrance to watch the players and coaches run into the locker room. Security had to kick us out before we would leave, we wanted to savor every second we could. It was just a great day.

In 2009 I watched at home with family and the Steelers started out really bad. At one point they were down 21-3 in the first half and I was worried I was going to see a GB route. But I told my wife the Steelers get the ball to start the 2nd half, so if the score before halftime and score again on their opening drive of the 2nd half it would be a ball game again... and sure enough that's exactly what happened. I was stoked and thought if the Steelers could take the lead after being down by so much, the Packers might wilt a little under the SB pressure. But alas, Big Ben missed a wide open Wallace for a TD and then later (in the same drive?) Mendy fumbled, the Packers scored on that possession which again put the Steelers too far behind allowing GB to play more comfortably with the lead. The Steelers still fought and came back to make it respectable, but they just couldn't overcome a turnover margin of -3 especially since the Pack scored 21 points off those turnovers. I'm not saying the Steelers would have won if Big Ben hits Wallace, or if Mendy doesn't cough up the ball, but when I think of this game I will always recall the Steelers missed opportunities to take the lead. Had they done that it would have been really interesting to see what happened. But I'm not complaining, the Packers deserved to win, A. Rodgers was on fire that day (and all through their playoff run).

Can't wait till they get back

 

[nirad3]

Almost forty year-old, long suffering Jets fan here. I've never had the nerve-racking pleasure of watching my team in the big game and was thinking whether I would do something different. Over the past decade, I've gone to a few SB parties, watched at home with the family, and even worked through a couple (including the Tyree catch game...ughhh!).

The closest I have come to being passionate is when the Panthers were in it about 10 years ago (we live in NC). I had a lot of fun and just remember that one more (along with rooting against the Pats) more than any others (even though I did not do special on those occasions).

Just curious how it differed the year(s) your team was in there.

Funny you should mention these two games since they represent probably the best situation for me (Tyree game... was in New Orleans with my wife and some friends and watched the game while eating great food and drinking great beer) and worst (Pats/Panthers - Nipplegate? - where I was in a hospital bed on a morphine drip after an incredibly terrible car accident that took the life of a friend).

Usually Super Bowl Sunday is spent at a friend's watching the game and enjoying food/drinks.

Bear fan here. I don't remember where I was for the 1985-86 Bears win, but since I was 12 I don't think it was anywhere special. I actually watched the Bears loss to the Colts back in '07 at home by myself. How sad.

 

[Boston]

In someways the best part is the non-stop hype before the game becomes bearable because it involves your team...if it's not the Pats I have no interest in the two weeks before the game as it is so tedious...it still is tedious with your team in it but it stays interesting because everything is so positive leading up to the game...anything is possible...as for the game I have zero interest in watching it with a group of "pink hats" or a big party...only with guys who know where Logan Mankins went to college or what round Kevin Faulk got drafted in...a title is on the line and you want to share the experience with the real fans...

 

[BobbyLayne]

I wish I could answer that question, I would not even know if watching a "Wildcard" game would be different.

ThisBut I am one of only 80,000 people on earth in the last 50 years to watch a Lion playoff win live, should have kept that ticket and framed it for the man cave.

 

[seahawk 17]

I find it interesting that us fans who root for a team that have never or rarely been to the SB think that it may not happen again if ever. Those who root for perianal winners know that it's just a matter of time before they are back.

 

[Herb]

I find it interesting that us fans who root for a team that have never or rarely been to the SB think that it may not happen again if ever. Those who root for perianal winners know that it's just a matter of time before they are back.

Yup. Viking fan. They last played in a SB when I was an infant. I recently heard Pats fans compared to trust fund children, especially if they're young Pats fans (I'd lump young Packer and Steeler fans in that category also) because they don't even understand what being a real fan is all about. They have no idea what it's like to root for a team year after year with little or no payoff at the end. 1998 will always hurt for that reason.... to be so close... I honestly have trouble imagining what it would be like to watch the Vikes in the SB. The 2009 NFCCG was not even fun to watch; a feeling of doom hung over that whole affair. I imagine the SB would be worse.

I feel I have a real bond with Cleveland and Lions fans under the age of 50 and to a lesser extent Jets and Chiefs fans (although at least they have Lombardi's in the trophy case, even if they are old and dusty). And although I live in NorCal I'll be all about the Seahawks for the next couple weeks, just hoping their fans can get a taste.

 

[amnesiac]

Browns fan.

I'm guessing it will be the biggest party i've ever been to or ever will go to in my entire life.

like, bigger than any OSU kegger you can imagine, but with top shelf booze, and fireworks and maybe Bon Jovi or Lenny Kravitz or somebody...

 

[amnesiac]

and yes, i know those are terrible bands, but there's only so much money we can spend on one party.

 

[Not Sleeping]

and yes, i know those are terrible bands, but there's only so much money we can spend on one party.

lol

 

[Tanner9919]

Almost forty year-old, long suffering Jets fan here. I've never had the nerve-racking pleasure of watching my team in the big game and was thinking whether I would do something different. Over the past decade, I've gone to a few SB parties, watched at home with the family, and even worked through a couple (including the Tyree catch game...ughhh!).

The closest I have come to being passionate is when the Panthers were in it about 10 years ago (we live in NC). I had a lot of fun and just remember that one more (along with rooting against the Pats) more than any others (even though I did not do special on those occasions).

Just curious how it differed the year(s) your team was in there.

you're a Jets fan, so maybe you'll appreciate this..

about 14 years ago ( around 2000) , I met a Englishman at a local bar here in NJ ( Wexford Inn, Lincoln Park), playing darts of all things ( I know, very cliche that a British guy is playing darts at a bar).he was a world-class engraver, brought to the US by Tiffany and Co in Parsippany, NJ , to work as a silversmith on some of these trophies.. Obviously you already know Tiffany makes the SB trophy,as well as World Series, Nextel Cup, America's Cup, FedEx Cup,NBA trophies,among others.

he had mentioned that there was one man in particular who worked on every single Lombardi Trophy ( at least up until this point in time, back in 2000), who used to engrave 'Go JETS!' on the inside of the vertical shaft of every Lombardi Trophy, before the bottom plate was screwed on..



true story..

 

[kutta]

Cards fan here. I've been to two superbowls. I was at the game in Phoenix when the giants beat the pats to ruin their perfect season. I was also in Tampa for the az/pit game. The experiences weren't even close in terms of emotion and enjoyment. Seeing your team in the SB is amazing, especially when you've been a cardinals and lions fan your whole life.

 

[RUSF18]

So dilemma, what do we do for the NFC Championship? We decided to have a joint party. I will be hosting approx 20 Hawk fans, he will host approx 12 + SF fans. People can go back and forth between houses and hang out, or if need be they can "pack up" with their fellow fans. Ok cool, sounds like fun.

Sounds like the stage is set for an Anchorman-style brawl after the game. The Niners fans will be outmanned so watch out for tridents.

 

[Lehigh98]

There's normally a friends or family Superbowl party but the one year the Eagles were playing in the Superbowl I just wanted to focus on the game. The party and uninterested / not-knowledgeable relatives became super annoying. I was wondering why my wife's grandfather didn't show up for the party at first but now I know. Will be watching solo (or maybe with a few "real" fans) if we make it back anytime soon... or hopefully at the game if our tickets get picked in the lotto,

 

[seahawk 17]

I find it interesting that us fans who root for a team that have never or rarely been to the SB think that it may not happen again if ever. Those who root for perianal winners know that it's just a matter of time before they are back.

And although I live in NorCal I'll be all about the Seahawks for the next couple weeks, just hoping their fans can get a taste.

 

[Lord of the Rings]

Every year we have a party with 40+ family and friends present. Most of the time we don't have anyone there that is a diehard fan of either of the teams playing.

If my team ever makes it to the Superbowl, we would still have the party, but I would absolutely not allow anyone who wants to cheer for the opposite team to attend. I don't want to spend the rest of the night incarcerated because some jackwagon felt the need to push my buttons.

 

[Bobcat10]

Not qualified to help you here. But I'll leave a in case something unforeseen happens.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

When the Buccaneers won it all, it was actually more surreal when they won the Championship game in Philly to go to the Super Bowl. To say "The Buccaneers are in the Super Bowl" just sounded weird. I don't think I was over it by the time the game happened.

During the big game, it was a big party. I think everyone knew this wasn't going to be a string of several appearances, so fans really wanted to bank one to offset the decades of misery. Winning was amazing, as was the parade. But I think the Championship game was bigger for Tampa Bay fans.

It also made me give them a pass for several years of futility afterward. It was hard to get too upset. Only a few years ago did I start getting annoyed with the coaches and management for ineptitude. Before that it was like "Oh, well. Look at this cool Super Bowl hat!" I guess as a long-suffering fan it eased a lot of frustration.