It’s that time of year again. The hype of the Super Bowl, the biggest NFL football game of the year, is enveloping America. This Sunday, February 2, the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will battle it out at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey in Super Bowl XLVIII.

The Denver Broncos of the AFC West conference have won two previous NFL championships in 1997 and 1998. Coach John Fox and quarterback Peyton Manning are hoping to lead the team to a third championship this year.

Manning’s family football legacy makes him a unique player in this year’s Super Bowl. The second of Archie Manning’s three sons, Peyton played college football at the University of Tennessee. Manning was also the number one draft pick upon entering NFL play with the Indianapolis Colts.

Russell Wilson, Seattle’s quarterback, will also be a key player this Sunday. He played college football at both North Carolina State University and the University of Wisconsin. An all around athlete, Wilson also played in the MLB for the Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers.

Wilson as well as Seattle coach Pete Carroll are hoping to lead the team to its first Super Bowl victory this Sunday.

Broncos and Seahawks fans across the country are also looking forward to the big game on Sunday. The Super Bowl provides a chance for Americans to bond with friends and family and develop unique traditions.

Alex Curiel, an RHS senior, looks forward to the Super Bowl every year as an occasion to spend time with family.

“The Super Bowl brings out a sense of competition in our family. And we have this tradition of always eating barbequed ribs. It’s always really fun,” Alex said.

It seems that Rocklin is evenly split between Seahawks and Broncos fans who support their teams for various reasons.

“I’m rooting for the Seahawks because they beat the Niners – I hate the Niners!” Alex said.

So, what defines the Super Bowl? The competitive atmosphere of a riveting football game? The delicious appetizers and barbequed food? Or maybe just spending time with friends and family? It’s really just the perfect combination of all of the above.

The Super Bowl is more than just an important football game. It’s American culture.