By Emmanuel Berbari

For one night, we could all sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Super Bowl LII provided the common American with an opportunity to unite with family and friends, not worry about anything else and watch a tremendous sport without any unnecessary connections, a unique occurrence these days.
There was no kneeling, no political anger and certainly no on-site demonstrations.

It was just a game.

For one night, everyone could block out the nonsensical chatter that occurs on a daily basis. The hatred and disgust that goes back and forth in public and on the internet and the politicizing of sports.

On Sunday night, your race, gender, social status or political leanings did not matter.

All that truly mattered was who you were pulling for in the big game, the people you were with and the spread of food on the table.

For the 60 minutes of game action, complemented by a phenomenal halftime performance, there was no reason to leave your couch, grow dissatisfied or think about anything else.

The whole show, from start to finish, was an example of why we love sports, exemplifying football and the common fan’s leisure at its finest.
As for the game, it left no susceptibility to other, less peaceful, mind-clouding thoughts.

For a sports fan, particularly a football diehard, it was a touchdown in every sense of the word.

The Patriots accumulated 613 total yards of offense and lost a Super Bowl. Tom Brady passed for 505 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions and came up short to Nick Foles.

All of the experts that counted the Eagles out after Week 14 were proven wrong. It was a perfect example of “why we play the games.”

The game was incredibly unpredictable during a time in which the four major sports continually showcase a tiring lack of parity.

Brady had a chance to drive and win the game with a touchdown … and fumbled. New England regained possession within a touchdown, but failed to muster anything more than a last-second heave.

The “hot” takes were pouring in across social media, the “we have seen this story before…” tweets.

Ultimately, Foles won the Super Bowl MVP (I still cannot believe I typed that sentence during my lifetime).
The game served as a beautiful distraction, something that is rare yet wildly necessary in today’s world.

No sideshow antics, fuss or anger.

Just football.

For one night, men and women, people of all races and colors, the right and the left had equal voices in the game—and it is what they were focused on. The television producers, stadium and NFL employees, league officials and players must have felt the same.

The Super Bowl did not consist of sports and theatre as separate identities. Everyone involved let the sport turn itself into theatre in the final minutes of a thrilling matchup.

For one night, it was just about the main event.

And when push comes to shove, isn’t that all a real sports fan can ask for?