The meaning of the Super Bowl: ‘A loss would be devastating’

We took to the streets to ask folks what this Super Bowl means to them…

“There’s all sorts of talk about Deflategate and about how everyone does it but we’re the ones who get caught. This game’s important because it can establish Bill Belichick and Tom Brady as the greatest of all time. A win does that, definitely. A loss would really hurt because Deflategate would be blown even farther out of proportion.”

-Rory Smith, 27-year-old recruiter from Southie

“It’s my one game of the year that I watch. I watch it with my son, mostly for the ads. A Pats victory would be more fun. I wouldn’t be depressed or upset with a loss, though. For me it’s just fun. It’s an event.”

-Mona Zeftel, an Arlington resident who declined to give her age and works as a content developer.

“The Super Bowl? It means nothing to me because the Giants aren’t in it. I hope your boys get it though, they deserve it. I’m being serious. I have no problem with the Pats winning it. I’m just glad I don’t have anything invested in the game. I can watch it and enjoy it for once. “

-Mike Hannett, 39-year-old from New York who works in IT and was on his way to New Hampshire for business.

“A loss would be devastating for us. I don’t even want to think about it. It’s unthinkable. Although win or lose they’re going to bring up Deflategate. I’d moved here two years ago from Connecticut and we’ve already had the Sox win, and a Pats win on would be awesome. I’m psyched.”

-J.P. Clifford, 27-year-old recruiter from Medford

“I’m not familiar with American football because I’m from Sweden. I doubt I’m even going to watch it. Not even for the ads. I guess I hope the Patriots win. That’s what I’m supposed to say, right?”

-Caroline Stahl, a 19-year-old student at Mount Ida College in Newton