FUN FUN FUN

By Edwin Cooney

I’m not really a football fan, but the annual NFL Super Bowl is more than an opportunity to watch and listen to a contest of two professional teams of athletes struggling for supremacy in their sport. Although you won’t find it on the calendar, Super Bowl Sunday is an American holiday. True, it doesn’t rate with family holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it’s certainly equal to New Year’s Day or Labor Day. Hence, I found myself a week ago yesterday at a party at my friend Peter’s house.

Peter is one of the smartest men I’ve ever met. Born in Italy back in the mid fifties, he came with his family to America when he was about ten. By the time he was twelve he’d mastered English (or as two British friends of mine would say, he mastered American). Now in his mid fifties, he’s a brilliant computer programmer, teacher and blind accessibility technologist. Even more, his knowledge of languages, cooking, gardening, musicianship and science is almost limitless. For the past twenty-five years, he’s demonstrated generosity and patience with me as I’ve struggled to learn and master the computer. You could say he’s my computer guru.

Diane, Peter’s lady and a disability services coordinator, is not only lovely, she’s smart and possesses a quiet strength and dignity along with a helpfulness that enhances and energizes any gathering.

Frank, a young and conscientious professional, is not only quick and smart, but he continuously demonstrates a spiritual calm and depth that makes you so very glad that he LIKES you.

Tony is a perceptive and resourceful counselor in the area of physical and emotional rehabilitation. His capacity to listen to, empathize and encourage those who have struggled to overcome physical, cultural and emotional barriers is equaled by few. He was visiting us from his new home in the greater Denver, Colorado area. His love of and knowledge of sports and the human condition makes him a vital part of any conversation.

Tony is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was naturally a Steeler’s supporter, but even as his home state heroes took what appeared to be a pretty decisive ten/nothing lead, Tony wasn’t gloating. He, like most Super Bowl observers, wanted to see a close game. After all, if the Arizona Cardinals could be easily handled, the glory of victory would be slightly tarnished.

The beauty of the Super Bowl, unlike – say -- the seventh game of the World Series (which has nothing to do with most of the “world”) is that it can be anticipated. It’s usually the last Sunday in January or the first one in February. Even more, what with the calculated parity in the National Football League, you’re more likely to have to pick your favorite between two “underdogs” since neither squad is likely to have been in last year’s game. True, the New England Patriots have been pretty persistent winners and the Pittsburgh Steelers have, after this year, won more Super Bowls (six) than any other team. There’s still a feeling on the part of most observers that, tough as it is to reach the big game, the monetary factor is less prominent in football than it is in most professional sports.

The real essence of Super Bowl Sunday, as I said before, is that it’s more than an event. It’s a genuine American holiday. Yet, due to our cultural mores, American enterprise doesn’t have to confront Labor’s demand for a day off or for time and a half for those who must work on that day. True, Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest for those who observe the Sabbath that day, but everybody knows that football players aren’t working; they’re playing. After all, you and I wouldn’t sit around eating, drinking, smoking (and who knows what else) if we thought those guys we were watching were working for all that money – money even the loser will make. Of course, every man on that field faces severe bodily injury on every play. Every ounce of mental, emotional, and physical effort is put forth to prevail, but it’s all purely recreational. Every red-blooded American knows that.

If you are a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or Phoenix, Arizona, the game’s outcome surely had special meaning for you. At Peter’s house, Tony was the only Steeler’s rooter, but the game, although compelling, was almost secondary. Chip and dip, cheese and crackers, beer and soft drink, and the rest of the nutritionally well-balanced menu were just as important.

Actually, what really mattered was what Peter, Diane, Tony, and Frank – and I -- thought, felt and discussed on a multitude of topics ranging from the recent Inauguration and early administration activities of President Obama to the latest computer accessibility technology.

As I observed at the outset, I’m not much of a football fan, but I’m a huge Super Bowl Sunday fan.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

EDWIN COONEY