Philadelphia is known as the City of Brotherly Love, and perhaps it is fitting that the Philadelphia Eagles won Sunday night's Super Bowl 59, given the number of messages of unity, resilience, and coming together that aired throughout the evening.
The unity messaging started early as the pre-game kicked off with movie star Brad Pitt narrating a moving ad that champions residence and togetherness in honor of those who suffered from the Los Angeles fires and Hurricane Helen:
“By lifting others, that’s how we rise up. We, the people. Today, we come together, not just these players and coaches or these teams and sides. We, all of us, the dreamers, the warriors, the builders and believers,” Pitt said. “Brought together to celebrate our greatest game, the game that teaches us what we can achieve when we gather together in a that most American of formations, the one most fundamental to every play call in every game, the huddle. Think about it. When we are bound by a common goal, we have reached heights, authored achievements, pushed progress, not alone but together, in ways that have lifted the world and one another.”
Pitt went on to say:
“The huddle is a metaphor for our history, for the power found in our shared purpose. It’s in the will to imagine flight and then soar skyward. They change the course of human history and the courage to fight and defeat the enemy,” Pitt added. “It’s in our collective spirit, not just in the highest times, but in the hardest, in the darkness and the trouble and the struggle.
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Shortly after Pitt’s powerful message, Lady Gaga performed "Hold My Hand" during a pre-taped segment. The moving lyrics encourage people to hold on to each other during tough times and to find strength in togetherness. The song featured in the movie "Top Gun: Maverick" was written to convey a sense of hope and solidarity.
These messages of love, compassion, and the importance of human connection were seen many times throughout the game, seemingly in juxtaposition to the divisive and separating messages so often heard from our nation's political leaders.
As I listened to these Super Bowl messages, I imagined a nation that dismisses old definitions of right and left and focuses instead on values and an optimistic vision for the future of America.
Those were the messages I heard last night, of course, interspersed with the normal marketing ads.
Throughout the evening, I watched the passion and positive impact music, the arts, and celebrities can inspire in this time of political, social media, and internet-driven divisiveness as the power of music and celebrity calls for unity and compassion in our nation.
Perhaps the most powerful message of all was the “Stand Up to Hate” commercial featuring Tom Brady and Snoop Dogg as they address hate in America. In commenting on the ad, Brady said:
This Super Bowl, football is on my mind, but so is something even bigger — building a world where hate has no place. The No Reason to Hate campaign isn’t just a message; it’s a movement. I’m proud to be a part of it, and I hope you’ll join us."
Snoop Dogg added
“It doesn’t matter what your background is, what you look like, or where you come from, hate is never the answer. It’s time we all start seeing it for what it is and together, take a stand against hate."
The game continued with the Eagles dominating the Chiefs, and I was amazed as more and more messages of togetherness and compassion continued throughout the game.
Dove ran a beautiful ad titled “These Legs,” celebrating diverse body types and acceptance. The ad focused on promoting body confidence and encouraging girls to stay in sports despite facing criticism about their body types. It featured a young girl running joyfully with Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" playing in the background.
And, of course “What is Greatness?” the ad that aired during the first half of the game featuring various images of people from different backgrounds coming together. This ad is a part of the "He Gets Us" campaign aimed to reshape public perception of Jesus by highlighting his teachings of love, compassion, and empathy. It seeks to inspire people to see Jesus as someone who truly understands and cares for humanity, promoting unity and kindness
This is not the first Super Bowl with an abundance of socially conscious ads. Budweiser's "Born the Hard Way" in 2018 depicted the journey of Adolphus Busch, a German immigrant who faced xenophobia while coming to America, highlighting the immigrant experience and America's identity as a nation of immigrants. In the same year, Audi's "Daughter" ad focused on gender pay inequality, showing a father contemplating how to explain to his daughter that she will be valued less than men despite her skills and intelligence.
And perhaps the most famous of them all was Pepsi's "The Choice of a New Generation," which celebrated diversity and inclusion, featuring a multicultural cast and the message that Pepsi is for everyone.
All of these ads aimed to sell products make a positive impact, and raise awareness about important social issues during the Super Bowl, which is a unique platform that reaches a massive audience.
The Super Bowl in America is more than just a football game. It’s a cultural event bringing people from all walks of life together and bringing family and friends together to celebrate.
Let us hope these powerful ads resonate deeply with viewers after the game ends. Now is not the time for corporate America and non-profits to shy away from messages of unity and diversity. If done correctly, these messages can tap into our consciousness and emotions to inspire us all.
David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
