THE BIG GAME WILL BRING MEXICO TO A STOP AS WELL

In Mexico, el Súper Tazón is one of the few foreign events that paralyzes almost the entire nation, which otherwise only occurs with the FIFA World Cup or the Summer Olympics.

With the 57th edition since 1967 this Sunday, the Super Bowl has earned a place in TV preferences in the United States and other countries such as Mexico. Every year at this time, football fans and non-football fans alike come together to exchange sporting, music, advertising and related knowledge. As an American football coach at Cetys Universidad in Mexico, I know how passionate people can be about the sport here.

So why does the Super Bowl produce so much attention or impact in Mexico? It is partly because of the geographic proximity to the United States, but what really causes it is the nature of the sport, its discipline and the fact that it fits very well with Mexican culture because of it competitiveness.

Another important factor is its aspirational influence among students because this great annual event organized by the NFL is the dream of every American football player. The simple fact of thinking that you can get to the same place and play the same sport as those you see on the screen increases the desire to be better.

In Mexico, el Súper Tazón is one of the few foreign events that paralyzes almost the entire nation, a phenomenon that otherwise only occurs every four years with the FIFA World Cup or the Summer Olympics. The game is so significant that it has to be shared with everyone.

The souvenir stores located in the international gateways and other sectors are full of souvenirs: piggy banks, ponchos, blankets, key chains, decorated helmets, mugs, tequila shot glasses, T-shirts, caps, glasses, masks and more. Everything has something about the event and the two teams that qualified for it.

Even though the event is not hosted in Mexico, it has been proven that our tourism improves around it. Restaurants, bars and hotels are decorated with the colors of the participating teams.

National brands make their promotions more inspired by the Super Bowl and many entertainment TV shows get involved through the guest artist to liven up the halftime show.

On the other hand, watching the game at home is a good excuse to get together, eat with family or friends and talk about sports, show business or other things. The time watching this game is the best because it brings people together, mixing Mexican and American traditions, and that brings an opportunity to be creative in the kitchen or on the backyard grill.

Commonly, barbecues at homes in Mexico are based on hamburgers, hot dogs or barbecue ribs. There are also those who prefer a carne asada or, for some reason, will save the date to enjoy the tamales that are always meant for el Día de la Candelaria on Feb. 2, 40 days after Christmas.

But what’s important for any Super Bowl watch party is a tray turned into a stadium crammed with vegetables and fried foods surrounding a field of guacamole. A true piece of art in sports gastronomy.

Super Bowl Sunday’s date and time is respected in Mexico. Most sports activities on that Sunday, whether live or on TV, are suspended due to the attention the Super Bowl generates.

For example, Mexico’s national soccer league, Liga MX, will finish games this Sunday at noon, about three hours before kickoff. Even professional teams like Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles will turn on their huge stadium screen to enjoy the game with the fans at the Estadio Caliente restaurant.

And this Sunday morning the fifth edition of the “Super Bowl 5K” athletic race will take place in Tijuana, where hundreds of registered participants are expected.

In Mexico, we also enjoy the Super Bowl with those we love the most, and this year, let’s remember those who are no longer with us. Let’s take the chance to cook what you like the most. And let’s not forget that we can learn and be inspired by the performance of both teams and apply that to youth sports.

It is true that the Super Bowl is not ours, but we have adopted it.

Cervantes Ramírez is the American football head coach at Cetys Universidad in their three campuses in Tijuana, Mexicali and Ensenada, where he coaches 65 players. He lives in Mexicali. Editor’s note: This has been translated from Spanish by a member of The San Diego Union-tribune Editorial Board.