As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to battle the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, excitement fills the air. With Jennifer Lopez and Shakira headlining the halftime show and Demi Lovato set to sing the national anthem, it’s a moment many are eager to celebrate. Yet, in our household, we will be opting out of this highly anticipated event.
Having raised my four children in Kansas City, Missouri, I understand the enthusiasm that surrounds the Chiefs—especially since they haven’t appeared in the Super Bowl for 50 years. While friends and family gear up in their jerseys and stock up on snacks, our family will stick to our usual Sunday routine of attending church, lounging in pajamas, enjoying snacks, and watching movies.
For me, tuning into the Super Bowl feels fundamentally wrong—a contradiction to our values. It’s not the game itself, or the festivities, or the food that turns me away; rather, it’s the blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of people of color.
I realize that our decision to abstain from supporting the NFL is not a popular one. But we are not alone in our stance. In 2019, pop star Rhianna turned down a chance to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, citing her refusal to be an enabler of an organization that has sidelined Colin Kaepernick for his peaceful protest against police brutality. The NFL profits immensely from its black players, yet fails to support movements like Black Lives Matter, which is disheartening.
This year’s Super Bowl poses additional issues. Chiefs fans often engage in cultural appropriation by wearing face paint and feathered headdresses, which disrespects Indigenous cultures. Their Tomahawk Chant—a synchronized chant accompanied by a chopping motion—strikes me as mockery rather than celebration. Are these fans truly advocates for Native American rights, or are they simply enjoying a spectacle? The Chiefs’ logo, a red and white arrowhead, raises further questions; why hasn’t the team followed suit like the Cleveland Indians did in 2018 by retiring their Chief Wahoo logo?
I admit, it’s tempting to indulge in the festivities of the Super Bowl. The game can be thrilling, the food delicious, and the camaraderie enjoyable. It’s hard not to be drawn in, especially with the possibility of the Chiefs making history by winning. Yet, if I choose to celebrate, what message am I sending to my children? That it’s acceptable to overlook discrimination for the sake of entertainment? That we should dismiss the NFL’s treatment of Kaepernick—who, like my children, is a transracial adoptee—because it’s merely a game on one Sunday in February?
While I understand that some might think I’m spoiling the fun, it’s essential for me to stand firm in my convictions. My family cannot proudly don our Black Lives Matter shirts on one day and then cheer for the NFL the next. Choosing to watch the Super Bowl would be hypocritical, as it would mean turning a blind eye to the very issues we oppose.
To those who argue that my family will miss out on something valuable, I must emphasize that tradition does not justify racism. Historical injustices—like slavery, Jim Crow laws, and land theft from Indigenous peoples—were once normalized, but that doesn’t mean they were right. Engaging with racism, in any form, is unacceptable. The Super Bowl is no exception.
In summary, my family has chosen to abstain from the Super Bowl viewing experience due to our strong beliefs against the NFL’s actions and cultural insensitivity. Our commitment to standing against discrimination outweighs the allure of tradition and entertainment.
Keyphrase: Kansas City Chiefs and NFL stance
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