I wanted the Colts to win. I like Peyton Manning. I remember a game a few years back right after Katrina. The Falcons played the Saints on Monday Night Football. The Falcons got crushed. The momentum was stacked in the Saint’s favor. This game was much different in that the Colts had the momentum in the beginning, but were outplayed in the end. Peyton threw that last interception and sealed it for the Saints.

Help me understand this though. How does a professional sports team winning a televised sporting event help a city? I can see that it may gave one a temporary sense of pride and joy. What if I awake to the same daily reality of a city that is suffering from inept government and senseless crime? Does it matter if the Saints won?

I like to think I have good sportsmanship. I’m happy for the Saints. It’s a monumental achievement. However I’m not a Saints fan. I’m a Falcons fan, have been since I was a kid. The Saints are the Falcons’ biggest rival in the NFL. We love to hate the Saints. For true Falcons fans this is not good. It’s akin to being a Georgia Bulldog fan and seeing Florida win the National Championship. You think it’s easy to put aside a deep, intense rival like that? I do not.

I get it. This is just sports we’re talking about. This is not some life-changing experience. What I love is how the Superbowl brings us together once a year. Last night 18 of some of my closest friends gathered to watch the game. We had an unforgettable night of the three F’s: food, fellowship and football. Get rid of all the hoopla, the lackluster halftime show, the botched National anthem by Carrie Underwood and the commercials and what you have is a celebration of relationships. That’s what I love about the Superbowl.