Commentary: Super Bowl the Boston Way

By ISAIAH McCALL

The answer to world peace is rather simple — food, music and above all, sports — yeah, it’s really that simple. The smell alone of my Grandmother’s crispy fried chicken and extra-cheesy macaroni & cheese could end life-long feuds, heck, maybe wars. And name one place better for self-expression and individual freedom than a concert featuring your all-time favorite musician. Anytime music and/or food are in the mix, you can be sure that social bridges will be built. But one community builder that perhaps might be the strongest of them all are without a doubt sports.

Where music and food can sometimes be separated by culture and race especially  — sports appeal to just about anyone and everyone. Take the recent Super Bowl for example — this year I felt like I had to be with my people, so I ended up going to Massachusetts to be with my fellow Pats fans to watch the big game. Thing is though, I’ve only been to Massachusetts once in my lifetime and the bar we were going to was one we chose completely at random. Yet, despite being in a foreign location, surrounded by total strangers, who also happened to be 95 percent white; I had an absolute freaking blast.

Only seconds into the game,  I was already high-fiving strangers and chanting with people I didn’t even know by name (and will never know) as though they were closer than my own family. Whether it’s playing sports, watching or even betting, you’re a part of a community, one that will be so quick to accept a newcomer it’s actually quite staggering when you think about it.

Greg Fiumara, a local fan decked out in Patriots gear including a Pat’s “lucha libre” mask,  perhaps put it best.

“It doesn’t matter where your from man, if you’re wearing red, white and blue (Patriot colors) we’re brothers for life,” said Fiumara as he finished off his fourth beer.

Now besides building strong communities that fans feel dedicated to life for, sports do a lot by giving back to the less fortunate in their area. Defensive end, and quite possibly the largest man in the world, J.J. Watt raised over $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief from more than 209,000 donations. Lebron James partnered with the University of Akron to provide a guaranteed four-year scholarship for over 1000 students. And the list of charitable works truly does go on, and on, and on.

Love what my foundation is all about and more! #StriveForGreatness http://t.co/v5rYQ8V21q

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 6, 2014

I couldn’t even begin to imagine a world without sports — there impact on local and global communities is just too substantial. And it goes without saying that sports aren’t for everyone as I’m sure we all have the friend that can’t even fathom the enjoyment people get from sports. But it should be restated, that whether it’s playing or watching, sports are the one thing that rarely, if ever judges, and that’s why we’ll always love them.