On Sunday, Feb. 8, students from around the 5Cs will pause the problem sets, club meetings and study sessions for the 60th Super Bowl, the annual championship game for the NFL.
From dorm lounges to crowded living rooms, students will watch the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks, starting at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, this marks a rematch of the heated 2015 Super Bowl. The Seahawks look for revenge after a game marked by Patriots CB Malcolm Butler’s goal-line heroics and Seattle coach Pete Caroll’s questionable decision-making; the Patriots won 28-24 over the Seahawks.
Both teams enter this year’s game after strong regular seasons. The New England Patriots, led by second-year QB Drake Maye, finished the regular season 14-3, completely flipping records from their 4-13 season last year. They look to build on their regular-season success and solidify their young team at the top of the league.
“The regular season was great. We just kept balling out week after week,” Wyllys Ames PO ’29, a life-long Patriots fan from Massachusetts, said. “The way that the program’s had a complete turnaround from last season to this season, I think it shows what’s going on there, what’s being built and that we’re ready to take on the Seahawks.”
For many fans, this season has felt similar to the “Tom Brady era,” when the Patriots won six Super Bowls.
“Watching the Patriots’ dynasty was my first real experience watching football, and so I think I just kind of got used to the winning and used to the victories,” Ames said. “It was super fun to watch Tom Brady and all of them just ball out.”
While Patriots fans reminisce on their recent success, Seahawks fans are approaching this game with a different mindset. The Seahawks ended their season 14-3, earning the first seed in the NFC thanks to one of the league’s best defenses. Led by journeyman QB Sam Darnold in a career-reviving stint of success, fans hope the team will continue its strong campaign into the big game. Avenging the loss from 2015 could help heal some of the decade-old heartbreak.
“It would mean the beginning of an excellent era in Seattle sports,” Nate Butcher PO ’29, Seattle native and Seahawks fan, said. “As a big Mariners and Seahawks fan, we have a young core. Both teams are looking really promising. I think this is the beginning of things to come.”
The Seahawks’ resilience was on full display in their 31-27 NFC Championship win over their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams. In a back-and-forth game, a duel between Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Rams quarterback Mathew Stafford, fans were kept on the edge of their seats all the way until the final whistle.
While the Bowl is expected to be a close matchup on the field, this year the game is about more than football. Many are looking forward to the classic halftime show, this year featuring Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rico native.
“After all the controversy, I’m really excited to see what he’s going to bring,” Adelina Grotenhuis PO ’28 said. “I’m interested if he’s going to have any messages, political or other kinds, in his show, and to see the reactions to it. I think it’ll be a big cultural moment.”
This sentiment was echoed by others, particularly regarding what Bad Bunny stands for in today’s United States. Amid criticism following Bad Bunny’s selection, his performance comes at a critical crossroads for the country. As ICE and top government officials ramp up immigration enforcement, particularly of those from Latin American countries, for many, Bad Bunny represents the strength and importance of Hispanic culture and heritage on the biggest stage in America.
“It is a new generation of what America stands for because you’re bringing this outside force to a very American-centric sport,” Isabel Carlsen SC ’29 said. “I’m really excited to get to know his music more.”
Whether through music, commercials or the football itself, the Super Bowl is an important moment for the 5C community.
“Growing up, my friends or family would always have a Super Bowl party,” Grotenhuis said. “Everybody gets together, and everyone brings snacks. It’s just a nice time together with your family.”
As kickoff approaches, the game means something different for everyone, but its significance amongst students is undeniable on both sides.
“A Super Bowl win would mean everything, beating the Pats especially,” Butcher said. “I think Seattle would really cherish this.”
While for some, the night is about the final score, for others, it is about community, friends and tradition. Regardless of which team people support, the game offers a rare moment when students from across the 5Cs will tune in to the same show, if only for one Sunday night.
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