Super Bowl 47: How Bizarre

Baltimore Ravens logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Maybe it could only have happened in New Orleans.  The Baltimore Ravens jumped off to a 28-6 lead over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 47, capped off by a 108-yard second half kickoff return by Jacoby Jones.  Then half of the Superdome was bathed in darkness as a power surge caused the lights to go out, delaying the game for more than half an hour.

Then things really got weird.  The 49ers' major comeback in the third quarter got to where they trailed the Ravens 34-29 with not much time remaining.  Quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw for the winning touchdown, only to see it fall incomplete.  Some say there should have been an interference call, but the referees disagreed.  And the Baltimore Ravens, for the second time since moving from Cleveland, is taking home the Vince Lombardi Trophy with a 34-31 win over the 49ers.

This means that, in the battle of the coaching Harbaugh brothers, John came out on top over Jim.  The Ravens beat Denver in double overtime and New England in the AFC Championship game to get here.  Ray Lewis, after a 17-year career, gets to go out a champion whether he deserves it or not.  And quarterback Joe Flacco is the Super Bowl MVP.

Other things in and around the Super Bowl:

• Before the game, Jennifer Hudson and a group of students from Newtown, Conneticut sang "America the Beautiful".  It's a pretty safe bet that, if there hadn't been somebody who shot up an elementary school in that very town a few weeks ago, there's no chance this would have happened.  Leave it to the NFL to exploit a tragedy like this.
• Beyonce, fresh from her non-performance of the National Anthem at President Obama's inauguration, did her halftime show in what we believe was her own voice.  She even brought out members of her previous group, Destiny's Child, to perform a number or two such as "Single Ladies".  But the 21st century Diana Ross already has a ring on it, thanks.
• The commercials, like the game itself, also took a bizarre turn.  Plenty of wish fulfillment, coupled with some weird beer ads.  Bar Refali making out with Pocket Protector Dude in a Go Daddy commercial?  Yeah, right.

 It was a great game, despite the weirdness of it all.  At least now we won't ever hear from the 49ers fan in the Bud Light ad who crashed into his old apartment just to sit in his lucky seat.  Your team lost, dude.  Get your own apartment.  As for you folks in Baltimore, go celebrate.