Last, but most certainly not least, I want to say thank you to my wife, Nsisong. You were selfless in your support of my endeavor to transform an idea into a published book. This book exists because of your sacrifice in the name of love. It is a symbol of our journey traveled together. I thank you because I grow into a better man each day because of you.
| AASP | Athletic Academic Services Program |
| ACP | Afrocentric Pedagogy |
| ANAR | A Nation at Risk |
| APR | Academic Progress Rate |
| AYP | Average Yearly Progress |
| BLM | Black Lives Matter |
| CBS | Columbia Broadcasting System |
| CRP | Culturally Responsive Pedagogy |
| CRT | Critical Race Theory |
| ESPN | Entertainment and Sports Programming Network |
| GSR | Graduation Success Rate |
| HBCU | Historically Black College or University |
| HWI | Historically White Institutions |
| HWIHE | Historically White Institutions in Higher Education |
| LS | Lakeshore State University |
| MLK | Martin Luther King |
| NBC | National Broadcasting Company |
| NCAA | National Collegiate Athletics Association |
| NCEE | National Commission on Excellence in Education |
| NCLB | No Child Left Behind |
| NFL | National Football League |
| Prop-48 | Proposition 48 |
| PTD | Progress Towards Degree |
| RBF | River Basin Falls University |
| SAAC | Student Athlete Advisory Committee |
| SEC | Southeastern Conference |
| SR | Sierra Ridge University |
| SPR | South Pine Ridge University |
| TINA | There Is No Alternative |
| WNBA | Women’s National Basketball Association |
| WWII | World War II |
The spectacle of Super Bowl Sunday in the modern age has evolved from its modest beginnings. For many, this spectacle is nothing but normal and to consider anything less spectacular than the most recent production of the Super Bowl is nearly incomprehensible. It now represents a cultural event that rivals the attention of a national holiday. This final scheduled contest showcases the last two surviving teams from opposing divisions in a culminating game to decide the league’s champion; it also is a microcosmic showcase of American culture and society, more broadly. The magnitude of suspense and anticipation for the event is bolstered by the unique storylines used to chronicle each teams’ journey to that very moment in American sport’s history. Additionally, the cultural spectacle of this event, in particular, can offer a lens to view and take stock of the historical journey and sociocultural construction of American society on display through sport.
On February 4, 2007, like all forty Super Bowls prior, Super Bowl XLI offered its own set of unique storylines. The emotional depth of these stories not only elevated the spectacle of the game but underscored a hallmark moment in the history books of sport and American society, alike. On this Sunday evening, the skies seemed determined to open just enough to maintain a mild, yet constant drizzle of rain to cast over the sold-out stadium of fans eager to witness one of the most anticipated Super Bowl contest. One thing for certain about this Super Bowl was that people from all walks of life had an interest in this particular game for one, if not, a myriad of reasons. No matter if you were a die-hard football fan of the Indianapolis Colts or the Chicago Bears, maybe the person that only came to the party to explain why your team screwed up their chances down the playoff stretch, or were the most clueless person in the room because you did not like watching football, there was something about this particular game that gave you a reason to root for a victor.
Often, in the game of football, there is a story surrounding the quarterback that has the potential to significantly impact the outcome of the game. This season’s game was no different. On one sideline stood the long-designated prodigy quarterback, Peyton Manning, who hailed from a family of football royalty. He had finally arrived to the grandest stage of the game that many had once prophesized as his destiny. However, despite constructing a career that showed signs of leading toward a hall-of-fame status, the Super Bowl had alluded him since entering the national football league in 1998. But on this day in 2007, Manning had the opportunity to dispel the burgeoning myth and silence his critics building a case that deemed him incapable of winning it all. His counterpart on the opposite sideline, Rex Grossman, was trying to overcome a completely different type of narrative; one in which questioned his readiness to not only occupy the starting role, but the likelihood of him playing well enough to aid his team in hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after the final seconds of the game ticked away.
The romanticized storylines of each quarterback, underscored by tales of perseverance verse grit and fortune verse calamity, may have certainly been intriguing to the curiosities of many of the millions of fans. Although intriguing, those watching from within the stadium or at a distance from a television screen were witness to a feat far more extraordinary than the clutch of the Lombardi Trophy. The numerous plots, such as that of Manning and Grossman or the intrigue of how each team’s defensive performances would stand up against the proven offensive units of each team, only paled in comparison to the landmark moments that would be forever inscribed into America’s history of race. The most gripping and transcendent storyline was situated by the presence of two African-American head coaches that stood on opposite sidelines for first time ever in a NFL championship game. The American Football Conference was represented by the Indianapolis Colts with coach Tony Dungy at the helm. While the National Football Conference was represented by the Chicago Bears with their coach, Lovie Smith, at the helm. Both the Colts and the Bears organizations claimed a rich and storied past, yet both had their sights on overcoming their individual droughts in appearing in the Super Bowl. Dungy came with a wealth of experience, including having been a mentor to Smith for a number of years. It was ironic, but this inspiring contest was between mentor and protégé.
Smith and his Chicago Bears took an immediate lead as their kick returner, Devin Hester, returned