Super Bowl parties overshadow football game for some fans

What came first? The Super Bowl or the Super Bowl Party?  With so much focus placed on the festivities surrounding the National Football League championship, it is hard to answer this question.

“I think I’m more excited about the hype of it all. The lengths people go to for just this one game is amazing to me. From the parties, to the food and whatever else these people can dream up almost makes me wish I was somewhat more into football,” said Cedric Piggs, a junior English major from Greenville, Miss.

In this year’s 51st Super Bowl, the New England Patriots will take on the Atlanta Falcons. Jackson State University students interviewed said the four things they most look forward to during the Super Bowl; are the hilarious commercials, the amazing half-time performances, the game and the Super Bowl parties. And where there is a party, there is sure to be good food.

“Yes I am attending a supper bowl party. I look forward to the food, commercials, and good company! I would be looking forward more of the cowboys were playing, but i’m equally invested in the game and festivities,” said Destiny Harris, a seniorbiology/pre-dentistry major from Memphis, Tenn.

Jalyn Mozee is a fan of the sport over the hype of the party.

“I’m attending a [Super Bowl] party and I come mostly to watch the game, not just for the festivities,” said the senior criminal justice major from Jackson, Miss who will be cheering the Patriots on to victory.

Many cannot afford the pricey game tickets, according to Stubhub.com, tickets start at $3500 with some selling as high as $22,000.  That does not include the cost of travel. This obviously makes huddling around a large television with 100 of your ‘closest” friends the next best thing to being there.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Super Bowl Sunday has become the country’s second-largest food consumption day, trailing only Thanksgiving.

NRF estimates that an average 4,000 tons of guacamole, 14,500 tons of chips, 4,000 tons of popcorn, 1.23 billion chicken wings, and 325 million gallons of beer will be consumed.

“It’s like Thanksgiving with a different variety of food to me. It always brings me, my peers and my family closer because of the commercials, team rivalries and the delicious food,” said Dreshon Sanders, a sophomore computer science major from Jackson, Miss.

What will the fans be doing while consuming all that food and beer? Besides obviously watching the game, others will be waiting for Lady Gaga to wow the crowds with her high-energy halftime performance.

Super Bowl LI will air Sunday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. on FOX or you can live stream it online at FOX Sports official website and mobile app, or tune in. Bars, clubs and other venues are also hosting parties for those who have not received that all-important invite.

Kennedy Jones and Jorrie Jones contributed to this story.