Super Bowl Sunday, a day in America where families and friends gather with smoked weenies, pizza and wings to watch football.
With the Super Bowl being on a Sunday, Mormons are left with the choice to watch the game on a Sunday or to tape it. However, despite when it is watched, the Super Bowl traditions, food and commercials seem to stay the same.
A photo illustration shows the divide between students on whether or not to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. (Universe Photo)
BYU student Skyler Anderson watches the Super Bowl on Sunday and loves the tradition. 'We just enjoy football, we are Americans, let's be honest. There is no justification, we just like football and we want to see a good game,' Anderson said. 'This could be Peyton Manning's last Super Bowl so of course I am going to watch it ... I think that it is a true American tradition that everyone should partake in.'
Though some BYU students opt to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, others choose not to.
'I have never watched the Super Bowl,' BYU student Danny Harding said. 'I am interested in all sports including football but I have never watched the Super Bowl because it is on Sunday.'
For BYU student Natalie Britsch, Super Bowl Sunday has always been an important family tradition. 'I've been watching it every year growing up for as long as I can remember, I just love that the whole family is getting together,' Britsch said. 'Nothing quite brings everyone together like good food and a good game.'
The 'togetherness' factor doesn't 'hold a lot of water' with BYU student Erik Rytting. Rytting believes that, while watching the Super Bowl on Sunday can bring a family together, there are many other activities that families can participate in that are considered to be more 'Sabbath worthy.'
Some students find alternatives to watching the game on the Sabbath.
BYU student Hyrum Clark shares that ever since the 4th grade, he has taped and watched the Super Bowl the next morning before school started. Clark's immediate family started to join in on the idea, and now his entire extended family comes together for an all-day 'huge family party,' skipping school and work to watch the Super Bowl on the Monday after.
Regardless of the day that students choose to watch the Super Bowl, the food traditions seem to be the same.
'There is probably more food at the Super Bowl then there is at Thanksgiving.' Anderson said. '(My) grandma goes all out. There is always ribs, baked beans, brisket, chips, dip and drinks -- all the stops are pulled for this event.'
A random, non-scientific Universe survey of 50 BYU students shows that most watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. (Jessica Olsen)
Even though Clark and his family watch the game on a Monday, they still make pizza and wings and 'go the whole nine yards.'
Though the game and food are center stage, the Super Bowl commercials seem to be just as important.
'Commercials are way more important than the actual football game,' Anderson said. 'As soon as commercials come on the volume goes up and everyone shuts down to listen.'
Daniel Carter, a UVU student, said that he didn't grow up watching the Super Bowl on Sunday but would look up the funny commercials he missed the next day on YouTube.
Although they may not always agree on the best time to watch the big game, most students see the decision as a personal choice that deserves to be respected.