Ok, you don’t have to. I’m neither a Steelers fan nor a Cardinals fan. But I am a fan of the yearly commercial spectacle that is the NFL Superbowl. I’m one of those people that watch it for the commercials more than the game. Often times, in the past few years, I found the commercials to be more fun to watch than the game itself.

So why the Steelers you ask? Since I have no affiliation or bias towards either, I’m forced to find some irrational reason to pick a side to win. Every sports fan does this. My reason, which readers of this Asian Media blog may be able to relate to is because the Steelers have three (or 2.5 depending on your math) Asian players on their team, Troy Polamalu, Heinz Ward, and Chris Kemoeatu. Polamalu and Ward aren’t just role players; they’re flat-out super stars at their positions. Polamalu in particular is one of the best if not the best Safety in the NFL right now next to Ed Reed of course. Arizona has a couple of Asians in Deuce Lutui and Pago Togafau but 3 is greater than 2 in most cases. Also Lutui and Togafau are replacement level players.

In general there aren’t many Asian players in the NFL, and if they are, most of them are Hawaiian or some Pacific Islander. But it’s not because of physical size or built. All type of body sizes are needed in the NFL. It’s more a byproduct of football not being a popular sport in Asian countries and not a recommended sport by Asian American families. I know my parents didn’t want me to play football in high school, but it was either that or tennis so…

Of the few Asians in the NFL, many of them are super stars, Cato June, Junior Seau, Lofa Tatupu; or above average at their positions, Scott Fujita, Pisa Tinoisamoa, and the small Dallas Cowboy middle linebacker with the big heart, Dat Nguyen, who recently retired and joined the coaching staff of the Cowboys.

Here’s a fun fact related to America’s Best Dance Crew (since we’re doing a lot of ABDC coverage), former Stanford great and recently retired Houston Texan, Kailee Wong, is married to Marissa Lopez, sister of Mario Lopez, host of ABDC. [verify it!]

Well, hope everyone enjoys the game. I have to be traveling that day so unfortunately I might have to miss most or all of it =/