A performer in a glittering outfit is suspended horizontally from a pole during a stage performance with green laser lights and audience visible in the background.

From a big comeback to a stripper pole, Super Bowl LIV had it all

By Johnny Trlica

Commentary: When a sporting event is so big that even gay bars host viewing parties, one knows that it must contain a little somethin’ somethin’ for everybody. Super Bowl LIV, that’s 54 for those not familiar with Roman numerals, did not disappoint.

We have gathered a few takeaways from the largest game in America, played Sunday, February 2 in Miami Garden.

Kansas City ends 50-year drought

The Kansas City Chiefs won in dramatic fashion, 31-20, scoring 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points. Easy-on-the-eyes Patrick Mahomes led the comeback for the Chiefs who trailed 20-10 at one point in the game. The last time K.C. won a championship game was in 1970 when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

TRIVIA: On May 12, 2017, Mahomes and three friends were robbed at gunpoint in his hometown of Tyler, Texas after getting out of their vehicle in a driveway. A car pulled up carrying two men who approached the group and one of the suspects gestured as if they had a weapon and demanded property. Authorities were later able to locate the vehicle and arrest the suspects.

Trump fumbles geography

A Sports Illustrated headline posted online shortly after the game says it all so we will just leave it there: “President Trump Congratulates ‘The Great State of Kansas’ After Chiefs Super Bowl Victory.†(Kansas City is in Missouri just as Missouri City is in Texas.)

TRIVIA: K.C. has a gay bar called Buddies, just like Houston.

High-energy halftime show complete with a stripper pole

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira delivered a high-energy halftime show, the first time two Latina women have had the honor. “Shakira, a three-time Grammy-winning Colombian artist, and her world-famous hips kicked off the performance with a fiery rendition of “She Wolf†alongside a group of backup dancers in eye-catching red outfits. She then launched into a rock-heavy rendition of her song “Empire†before bringing out Puerto Rican Latin trap singer Bad Bunny for a take on “I Like It,†wrote HuffingtonPost.com.

Lopez began her time on stage by hanging from a stripper pole, recalling her recent hit, Hustler. The Selena star performed versions of her hits “Jenny from the Blockâ€, “Ain’t It Funnyâ€, “Get Rightâ€. “Waiting for Tonightâ€, “Love Don’t Cost a Thingâ€, and a “Mi Gene†mash-up alongside J Balvin.

Lopez’s 11-year-old daughter Emme Maribel Muñiz sang on stage with her mom.

Did we forget to mention that during both stars’ performances, there was a whole lot of hip and booty shaking?

TRIVIA: Players of Latin descent account for only 0.5 percent of NFL teammates. The league is looking to expand its Latino fan base ― 28.7 million Hispanic Americans count themselves fans of the league, according to an ESPN poll.

The traditional President’s pre-game interview

Every year the President of the United States grants an interview with a newsman from the network televising the game. This year was no different — we were not that lucky.

Instead of taking a cue from past presidents by talking about the great game of football and how the Super Bowl brings the entire nation together, Trump misread the opportunity as a political ad.

Answering softball questions from Sean Hannity, the impeached President used the time to smear his opponents. “Well, I think he’s a communist. I think of communism when I think of Bernie [Sanders]. Now, you could say socialist, but didn’t he get married in Moscow? I think of Bernie sort of as a socialist but far beyond a socialist.†Sanders did not get married in Russia.

The Liar in Chief called into question Michael Bloomberg’s height saying, “Now he wants a box for the debates, to stand on,†Trump said. “OK, it’s OK, there’s nothing wrong, you can be short. Why should he get a box to stand on, OK? He wants a box for the debates. Why should he be entitled to that? Really, does that mean everybody else gets a box?â€

TRIVIA: Donald Trump hosted a Super Bowl party at his Mar-a-Lago resort that costs taxpayers an estimated $3.4 million.

Houston’s Super Bowls

The Bayou City has played host to three previous Super Bowls. In 2017, NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl LI where New England downed Atlanta 34-28. In 2004, Reliant Stadium saw the Patriots defeat Carolina 32-29. Houston’s first Super Bowl came in 1974 when Rice Stadium hosted Miami’s 24-7 victory over Minnesota.

TRIVIA: Of the three Super Bowls Houston has hosted, Super Bowl VIII had the largest crowd with 71,882 fans packing the wooden bleachers at Rice University. And the halftime show, you ask? That would be the University of Texas Longhorn Band.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the MONTROSE STAR.
Johnny Trlica is the manager of the Houston Rainbow Herald Facebook page, your source for the latest LGBTQ news and information. Contact him at [email protected].

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