Experienced my first real social interactive Super Bowl yesterday as I had my laptop linked to Facebook, Twitter and NFL.com sites throughout the game as I sat in front of the TV. Proud to also say I spilled almost nothing on it (maybe a little dip, I had a cracker malfunction during halftime). For me it made the game more fun, interesting, entertaining and actually relaxing. Being able to bloviate at will online whether celebrating a nice play, critique everyone involved, commiserate with those who “feel your pain” or just abuse somebody in New Orleans brings game involvement to a new level without having to wait in line for a beer.
If you are a rabid football fan who wants to really watch the game, than you either have a seat in Miami or a seat in front of your TV and shy away from Super Bowl parties during game time (they are stressful) Not that I am anti-social, I just want to watch the game. Being able to sit in the comfort of my own home while chatting online with friends and fans from both teams was a blast. I had all the game stats at my finger tips and if I could have found a crowd noise CD to play, I would have shut the volume off on CBS except when the commercials were on. Doesn’t that seem backwards?
Facebook was active and the comments were priceless. I enjoyed bantering back and forth with new and old friends. Twitter was a cross section of America on #SB44 with Jets, Vikings and Patriots fans complaining that they deserved to be there. I have come to realize that being able to share during the play-off loss grieving process is important, so Twitter can play a tremendous social role supporting the mental health of losing fans everywhere. The #Colts fans were giddy early in the evening, only to have the #Saints take control in the 4th quarter and dominate Twitter with those two annoying words “Who Dat”. Why would the NFL sue to have rights to that?
Congratulations to the Saints and the people of Louisiana on their first Super Bowl title. Hope everyone had a fun and safe evening….
