Marking another Super Bowl victory, two or three sweat-covered, bruised and exultant players sneak up behind their coach with a cooler in hand, shocking him with an ice-filled Gatorade bath.
The tradition began in 1987 following a New York Giants victory, making the colorful shower one of the most recognizable celebrations in sports history.
As the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers write the 47th chapter in Super Bowl history, both teams have at least one avid fan on Ohio University’s campus, and both students are confident in their respective teams’ chances.
Die-hard Ravens fan Sacoria Macon, a sophomore studying psychology, expects Baltimore’s John Harbaugh to be drenched by the end of Sunday night’s game.
“The Ravens are going to win. It’s not a bet, it’s a fact,” Macon said. “I think I might die a little bit on the inside if we lose. We have more heart, more soul. This is my team, and there’s no way we can’t win.”
Since the team’s last victory in 2001, Macon said she is ready for the 12-year dry spell to be extinguished.
The sophomore’s family caters neighborhood Super Bowl parties complete with pizza and giant sub sandwiches. Because of Macon’s certainty of a Ravens’ victory, she expects a rowdy fiesta to ensue after the trophy’s handoff, reminiscent of the city’s jamboree following the team’s win 12 years ago.
“I’m driving six-and-a-half hours (to Baltimore) so I can watch the Super Bowl with my family,” Macon said. “All of the neighbors came out screaming after the AFC championship game (two weeks ago), so I’m pretty sure it’s going to be intense.”
As for Lancaster, Penn., native Ryan Bainbridge, his love for the 49ers evolved out of spite toward Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers fans. He described them as “the worst fans in any sport.”
After watching the “boys from the Bay” top the Eagles as a child, Bainbridge’s loyalty to the club began. Seeing his team hoist the NFC Championship trophy, heading for New Orleans, left him at a loss for words.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Bainbridge, a sophomore studying sports administration. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I don’t think I’ll realize it until the Super Bowl is actually here. It means a lot. It’s going to be a great day, and I’m excited.”
The sophomore’s family typically invites friends over for wings, Stromboli and pizza for the big game. This year, Bainbridge’s menu is expected to be similar, but the gathering will consist of a bit more compared to prior celebrations.
“We’re going to try to get as much red and gold in the house as possible,” Bainbridge said.
Bainbridge predicted a 49ers’ 27-21 victory and said he was “pretty confident” with his prognosis.
However, Karli Bell, a freshman studying journalism, said a team needs more than a good quarterback and offensive line to come out on top, as her church decides which competitor should
be victorious.
The Chicago-based church has awarded teams their blessing for the past 12 years, based on whichever group had the most ex-Chicago Bears on their roster or whoever “the church hates the least,” Bell said.
“First off, if it’s ever the Chicago Bears, (the church selects them) no matter what; it doesn’t matter,” she said.
Fortunately for the 49ers, Bell’s church has favored the gold and red to win, hoping to add another triumph to the team’s 13–4-1 record. Predicalculator has also predicted a San Francisco win by 38.2 percent odds.
“We (are going to) enjoy the best game ever created,” Bell said.
bf051111@ohiou.edu
