Super Bowl 50: A Seahawks Rooting Guide
By Todd Pheifer
Soon, the hype will be over and we can finally start the game. The Super Bowl can be an exciting experience, but the two-week break can feel very long. This year, Seattle Seahawks fans will not have the privilege of rooting for their team in the big game. Next year, right? If you are a ‘Hawks fan, there is much to be optimistic about in the future, but for now we will have to wait.
There is no rule that says every fan base must pick a favorite when their team is out, but it certainly makes the game more compelling when you are rooting for a particular franchise. Should Seahawks fans rally behind the Carolina Panthers or the Denver Broncos?
For whom should Seattle fans root in Super Bowl 50?
When it comes to rooting for other teams, there are many different philosophies. Some fans pick an individual player to root for (or against), or they root for a team because they have always liked them as a secondary loyalty. Others stick with the division or conference. Of course, some fans do the exact opposite of that, rooting against the team that contributed to the demise of their hometown favorite.
I know this doesn’t exactly lend clarity to the situation. For whom should Seattle fans root in Super Bowl 50?
From the standpoint of Seahawks fans it is hard to like the Carolina Panthers, and in particular, Cam Newton. Over the years he has proven to be a cocky young man who has also had some moments of petulant pouting. To be fair, the Seahawks are widely regarded by the NFL as a brash, cocky group of bruising players. As Seattle fans we have to own some of that, particularly after Richard Sherman let loose one of the most epic post-game rants in NFL history after vanquishing the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.
Newton is a polarizing figure, and some of that may stem back to his issues in college. The scandal surrounding the alleged request for money from Mississippi State may always linger in his societal narrative, even if he truly did not know what was going on. Allegedly.
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On the other side is Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, who were slaughtered by our beloved Seahawks two years ago. Manning has had a little bit of his own controversy this year with the HGH accusations, though that story doesn’t seem to have gained as much traction.
One of the biggest stories with Manning is his health, which at times has been hard to watch. Denver has a great defense, but in a lot of ways it feels like Manning should no longer be out there. His physical challenges in the last few years have been well documented, and you have to wonder if we are going to hear a tragic story in a few years about his inability to even function in normal life. That may seem inconsequential to the game, but we are still people.
On a personal level, I just feel bad for the guy. I hope he has the physical ability to play with his kids in the next few years.
So where does this leave us? The cocky youngster versus the broken-down legend. Two great defenses. Ugly teal versus ugly orange.
Who will you be rooting for this Sunday? Personally, I will be rooting for the Broncos, though I do not think they are going to win. Enjoy the game, the commercials and the appetizers. Go ‘Hawks…next year.