Commentator Paul Durrenberger says that the Superbowl is one of our main national observances. It is purified ritual and as gripping as any celebration that was invented earlier. He figures we must be a nation starved for drama -- so much so that we have to create our own. We lack the public spectacles of the Romans, Greeks and Mayas and so we demand it from our professional sports.
Copyright 1996 NPR