Super Bowl News and Analysis

Huffington Post: What to Say to Young Boys and Men About Big Ben

“There will also likely be considerable hand-wringing from many in Steeler Nation, who will cheer for their team with a troubled conscience, out of concern that their cheers could be construed as support for a man — the team’s quarterback and on-field leader — with a disgraceful record of mistreating women.

The following talking points are designed to give parents, coaches and other adults some ideas about how to frame conversations with boys and young men (and girls and young women) about the Ben Roethlisberger case.”

Change.org: Super Bowl: ‘One of the Biggest Human Trafficking Events in the U.S.’

“At the second annual meeting of Texas’ anti-trafficking task force last week, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot announced that his staff is already getting ready to help authorities stop traffickers during the Super Bowl—which he described as “one of the biggest human trafficking events in the United States.” Task force staff will train law enforcement to identify victims of trafficking, and to engage with them as victims, rather than criminals.”

ColorLines: Mike Tomlin’s Super Bowl Return Is Proof Affirmative Action Works

“But Tomlin wouldn’t likely be roaming the sidelines if not for the Rooney Rule, which requires an NFL team with a head coaching vacancy to interview a candidate of color. Before the rule, few African Americans were granted interviews, let alone given head coaching jobs.”

Socialist Worker: Those Non-Profit Packers

“Actually, it’s not quite accurate to say the Packers are without an owner. They have 112,000 of them. The Packers are owned by the fans, making them the only publicly owned, not-for-profit, major professional team in the United States.

…. In the United States, we socialize the debt of sports and privatize the profits. Green Bay stands as a living, breathing–and, for the owners, frightening–example that pro sports can aid our cities in tough economic times, not drain them of scarce public resources.”

Ms. Magazine: There’s a Reason Lucy Grabs the Football from Charlie Brown

“When do corporations spend $100K-per-second for TV ads in which the product will inevitably be forgotten by consumers, but the content will help spread misogynistic stereotypes?

On Super Bowl Sunday.”