The Super Bowl has become more than just a football game. It is an event.
Non-football fans are entertained by new commercials and the halftime show, while football fans are treated to a matchup between the league’s two best teams.
Which is why the Super Bowl is often the most watched television show of the year.
On Monday, the NFL announced 162.9 million people watched Super Bowl XLV. The broadcast’s 111 million person average was the highest-rated television program in history.
On the field, the game lived up to its hype. Capitalizing on two interceptions from Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Packers held a 21-10 lead heading into the locker room.
At halftime, the Black Eyed Peas took the stage to perform in front of over 100,000 fans packed into Cowboy Stadium. It was the first time a current act was featured during the Super Bowl halftime show since Janet Jackson in 2004.
The show began with “I Gotta Feeling” then Fergie was joined by Slash to perform the Guns N’ Roses’ hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Next, Usher joined will.i.am onstage for “O.M.G.” The Black Eyed Peas finished off the show with “Where is the Love” and “The Time.”
“The Black Eyed Peas weren’t very energetic,” sophomore health science major Devin Deatherage said. “I enjoyed watching Slash and the people covered in lights more. I like the Black Eyed Peas’ music, but I wish they would have stuck with the older legendary bands like Tom Petty and the Who.”
After halftime, the Steelers got right back in the game scoring on a touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall to make it a 21-17 game.
But the Packers answered back. Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw his third touchdown of the game on a pass to Greg Jennings, giving Green Bay a commanding 28-17 lead.
The Steelers did not go away quietly. On their next possession, Roethlisberger found reciever Mike Wallace for a 25-yard touchdown with just over 7:30 left in the game. Pittsburgh went for two and converted, making it a three-point game, 28-25.
Every time the Steelers got close, the Packers would answer, this time with a 23-yard field goal with 2:07 remaining to put them up 31-25.
Pittsburgh got the ball back and they would have been Super Bowl champions with a touchdown. But the Steelers could not convert on a fourth down opportunity, giving the Packers its first championship in 14 years.
“I am a huge Packers fan,” sophomore psychology major Nick Redshaw said. “To see the Lombardi trophy return to Titletown is an awesome feeling.”
Junior business major Mike Boor said he was upset the Packers won.
“As a lifelong Bears fan it was disappointing to see the Packers win it all,” he said. “You never want to see your biggest rival win the Super Bowl.”
Sophomore psychology major Paul Johnson said watching the Super Bowl makes him wish the Bears were in it.
“The Bears were so close to being in the Super Bowl this year,” he said. “I can’t wait for next season. I really think they could be there.”
