Dad vs. David: The Super Bowl edition

In our second installment of the soon (?) to-beaward-winning edition of Dad vs. David here at the Chicago Star, we take on the granddaddy of all sports events—the Super Bowl.

For those that missed our very first, it was back at Thanksgiving when we took on the tall task of analyzing one of Chicago’s busiestparty nights—the night before Thanksgiving.

That first installment was met with a varied combination of wonderment, confusion, and general disinterest—with a slight dose of laughter sneaking in, but only if you read really carefully.

Undaunted, though,  "Dad vs. David” marches on, and here we go with Round Two featuring the wily old veteran vs. the young, cocky whippersnapper.

Dad: Super Bowl LX? Wow! Sixty years of Super Bowls? Amazing. And yes, I am old enough to remember the first one. The Packers vs. the Chiefs. The Packers with QB Bart Starr and coach Vince Lombardi vs the Chiefs and QB Lenny Dawson and coach Hank Stram. Watched on black-and-white TV, in our family room with my dad. I can still picture it, even to this day. So remember, young man, I have history and the wisdom of years going for me.

David: You are old, that we have established! But 60 years of watching Super Bowls? That is some serious aging going on. I am surprisedyou’re still standing (let alone still writing). 

For me? Since becoming a free, independent adult, I've made the decision to opt out on Roman numerals, so it's nice to learn that the LX, XL, VI (or whatever the correct Roman numeral description is) in the Super Bowl logo marks the 60th year.

I'm sure you've seen some pretty good ones in your day, and with a few memorable games in recent years, we're all hoping we keep that trend going. I can't imagine comparing the pomp and circumstance of that first-ever game to the weeks-long circus the Super Bowl has become today.

Dad: This year's matchup? Maybe the least exciting thing I can remember.  Absolutely zero buzz. Nothing sexy or really interesting about either team. I dare you to get me excited about this snoozer.

David: Definitely not a Super Bowl matchup dripping in human-interest stories this year, but two evenly matched teams should hopefully make for an exciting on-field game. Both teams' remarkable quick ascension back to the top after down years in 2024 speaks to the unpredictability of the NFL and gives hopes to other struggling franchises that they too can turn thingsaround. (Notyou, Browns and Jets...you still have a long way to go.)

Dad: Just think if our beloved Bears would have made it. Now that would have made for some real national excitement! Guaranteed TV ratings with this year's Bears team, agreed?

David: Against my better judgement… I agree with you.  It will be a tough Super Bowl matchup for the NFL, especially the “NFL is rigged” conspiracy theorist who would have predicted Roger Gooddell would make sure the money-making Bears received a few more favorable whistles to get us to San Francisco.

Dad:  Normally, I tape games and fast-forward through the commercials. But not for the Super Bowl! Usually, the commercials and ads are pretty good—but I would say slumping in creativity the past few years. You agree?

David: I do agree. (And won't Mom be proud that we are getting along so well here?) 

Given the lack of gripping narratives around the actual football matchup, Super Bowl 60 is a great opportunity for the commercials to step up and bring their A game. I agree, the last few years have been a little light on memorable ads, so here's to hoping the marketing geniuses at our favorite beer and insurance companies have something extra special up their sleeves for us! 

I think what would really keep eyeballs glued to TVs is if after the Super Bowl, they had all of the famous spokespeople for the various brands battle it out in a football game. Who wouldn't want to see Flo from Progressive leave Dunkin Donuts' Ben Affleck in the dust with a flawlessly executed double hitch post route, or the GeicoGecko stiff-arming the Aflac Duck into oblivion on his way to the end zone. Just imagine the damage Allstate's "Mayhem Guy" would cause in the trenches at defensive end. 

Dad:  Any Gen Ex/Millennial new products out there that might make the ad campaign this year that the old man may not be aware of? Please don’t say AI!

David: We've been getting some pretty unique advertisers in recent years—for better and sometimes for worse. I'd expect a healthy dose of the usual, but my sources on the ground tell me to watch out for Labubus, the kitschy Japanese toy/accessory that swept the globe in 2025, to make their Super Bowl debut. As for AI, I wouldn't be surprised if we got an ad from Nvidia, but at the very least, there will be a lot of products with AI incorporated popping up.

Dad:  While I am on the “please campaign,” PLEASE don’t tell me you enjoy these Super Bowl halftime shows of recent years. Tome, they have become wayyyyy over produced, wayyyy too hyped up, and often including clearly inappropriate dress and moves by some of the singers and dancers. I am no prude, but 8, 9,10,11-year-old kids don’t need to be seeing that.

David: Cover your eyes, old man, the times have changed! Music, and art in general, remain as subjective of a topic as there comes, so it can be difficult to judge generation to generation.

The NFL, however, has clearly put an emphasis on more trendy, contemporary artists in recent years in an attempt to capture the almighty social media discourse that every organization salivates over these days.A strategy that engages some non-football fans but also may alienate others that are not as familiar with the music (like you).

While it may be impossible to appeal to every viewer, I do agree that some of the recent shows have become such an overproduced spectacle that it loses the authenticity of the moment and thatyou can still put on a good show and get your political message across while still remaining appropriate for all ages.  

Dad: Food is the king for the Super Bowl! Got to have good food spread for sure. The chips and the munchies are a must throughout… then at halftime? Chili, pulled pork, burgers—all are good options. What say the youngster here?

David: Now you’re talking, and it goes without saying that food management is critical at any Super Bowl party. A bad spread can echo for all of eternity and tarnish even the most spotless of reputations. Just like a good play caller in football, it's all about establishing a balanced game plan.

Everyone likes to hit the home run plays with wings or brisket, but it's important to set those up with a solid run game of dips, chips, appetizers first. Having a deep arsenal of trick plays, like possibly a themed cocktail or some specialty desserts to breakout in case of emergency is always vital—and of course, don't forget how important good special teams can be by ensuring the fridge is well stocked with beer at all times. 

Dad:  Finally…predicting a winner?  Again, prefacing it by saying my excitement level is somewhere between my grocery store decision of buying regular spinach or baby spinach—nevertheless, I will take the Seahawks to win. They have been under the radar all season long, but they have been consistently the best team (even without any real drama).

David: I have witnessed first-hand in the past your lack of ability to pick winners in sporting contests—BUT I think I am going to have to agree with you here. 

The Seahawks may squeak this one out. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object as the Patriots efficient offense meets the Seahawks suffocating defense, setting up a tantalizing matchup to see which one gives. The only thing making me reconsider is that the city of Boston doesn't seem to go more than a year or two without a sports championship and betting against the Patriots in the Super Bowl hasn't typically turned out well in the past!  

Editor’s Note:  Dad vs. David will return to the Chicago Star again (once the relationship is sufficiently patched up).