This year’s Super Bowl went from bad to great

I have never even come close to considering turning off the Super Bowl in all the 58 years that I have watched this iconic game. (Sorry, Super Bowl LVIII.) But this year, I almost pulled that trigger. I nearly switched off and went to “Loudermilk” on Netflix (the show is really wrong—but really funny).

The first quarter was that bad! A seemingly endless array of three-and-outs, commercials, three-and-outs, commercials, more three-and-outs, more commercials, etc. Not to mention penalties, fumbles, interceptions, and injuries. It was brutal, like having a tooth slowly pulled out sans novocaine.

The second quarter wasn't much better, with both high-powered offenses stuck in low gear. The highlight here was watching an animated and disgusted Travis Kelce bump into and almost knock over his head coach, Andy Reid, because he was taken out for a certain play (which ended up being a crucial lost fumble).

Don't ask me about the halftime show. I took a pass and instead used the time for a much-needed stretch, bathroom break, kitchen clean up, and restocking of the Doritos bowl. But I heard it was good. Wonderful, but let's move on.

The second half, particularly the 4th quarter, was much better!

Both teams started to move the ball and put some points on the board. The first bad omen of things to come for the San Francisco 49ers was after a huge touchdown, place kicker Jake Moody missed an extra point kick. 

Just one point, but If you have been around football as long as I have, you know that single missed point will almost always come back to haunt you. And it did!

On the Chief's final drive, they were not able to get into the end zone—which they would have needed for Moody to make his extra point kick—but instead, with the clock winding down, were able to tie the game on the sure foot of their placekicker Harrison Butker.

On to overtime, we went! Only the 2nd in the 58-year (sorry LVIII) Super Bowl history.

The good news for the 49ers was they won the flip and got to go first. The bad news was they drove down the field but couldn't quite put the ball in the endzone. Three points, and now kicking off to Kansas City.

If you are keeping score at home, that is not a good thing because giving the wondrous Patrick Mahomes a chance for a game-winning touchdown drive is more than playing with fire. It's like playing with Lincoln Logs, dousing them with lighter fluid, and then opening a match lighter a few times to see what might happen.

Mahomes, on cue, brilliantly and efficiently led his team down the field, using his arm and legs and finally scoring on a three-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Mecole Hardman.

Celebration for the Chiefs, heartbreak for the 49ers.

A horrible start to the game, but oh my, what a finish!

Postnotes: Most of the commercials were way overproduced and not that funny. Tons of celebrities made cameos, none really that effective—except for Judge Judy— she was outstanding! But what product was she selling?

The pregame Frank Sinatra “My Way” tribute to NFL football players was outstanding!

Also, the advertisements for "Stand Up To Hate" and "Love Your Neighbor" were powerful and well produced…and boy, do we need those messages these days!