Have you ever noticed the amount of American flags you see on an NFL broadcast? It seems like they cut away to soldiers like once-a-quarter. Do you ever find yourself wondering whether it’s all a little bit overdone? Like, do we really need a 100-yard flag* covering the field during each team’s national anthem?
The NFL: Patriotism On Steroids
↵If you’ve ever wondered, you’re not alone. This article traces the longstanding correlation between football and what the article calls “super-patriotism.” And it’s a pretty interesting history. Almost since inception, football’s been closely tethered to our flag, military rhetoric, and soliders. None of which is a bad thing; it’s part of what makes football so awesome.
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It’s AMERICAN, damnit! But doesn’t it start to feel a bit contrived when fans are inundated with ads like this anytime they turn on a game?
↵Maybe, maybe not. But there’s no question, when it comes to loving America, the NFL’s got the (free) market cornered.
↵(*How do they transport that flag? Is it one big piece of fabric, or a bunch of velcro pieces? Does the flag have its own truck? Does it ever touch the ground? We need answers!)
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