LVI
The Story
America’s throwing around the old pigskin again.
This isn’t 1956.
True, but it is Super Bowl 56. The game starts at 6:30pm ET this Sunday. The Cincinnati Bengals head to SoFi stadium to challenge the Los Angeles Rams on their home turf. So get the wings ready because the Vince Lombardi Trophy is on the line.
What do I need to know?
The underdog Bengals took the league by surprise and came in hot during the 2022 championships — beating the Super Bowl 2020 champions: the Kansas City Chiefs. The stakes are high for Bengals fans considering they’ve never taken the Lombardi Trophy home. And haven’t made it to the Super Bowl in over 30 years.
What about the Rams?
They’ll be playing at home donning their blue, yellow, and white uniforms. It’s rare considering the NFL rotates the Super Bowl location annually to make sure no team has a home-field advantage. But it can still happen, right Buccaneers? Now, the Rams are eyeing this year’s trophy after 22 years. And are hoping to be chanting “Whose House?” a little louder this time around.
What players should I know about?
The Bengals are hoping QB Joe Burrow and their wide-receiving trio Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd can take them to the finish line. The Rams have QB Matthew Stafford (who’s a newbie on the team), Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp, and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, who are yearning for a W.* And football wouldn’t be football without a little sideline tea. The head coach of the Rams is Sean McVay. And one of his former assistant coaches – Zac Taylor – is leading the Bengals as head coach. TBD if these two will put on a show.
Speaking of shows…
Jhené Aiko — who says her parents are from both teams' hometowns — will kick the game off with her rendition of "America The Beautiful." And as usual, companies will be making bathroom breaks nearly impossible thanks to their multi-million dollar commercial slots. For the first time, crypto will be making a play (more on that here). And let's not forget the halftime show. But you can forget Y2K fashion because the '90s are back, baby. Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige will take center stage. But TBD if Snoop Dogg will still be on the roster now that he is facing allegations of sexual assault.
theSkimm
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest celebrations in America. The Rams and Bengals have waited decades to get to this point — so have their fans. And each team will be showing up in hope of yelling “I’m going to Disney World.”
Skimm More: Want more on Super Bowl LVI? We Skimm'd all the details for you here.
*Correction: A previous version of this Daily Skimm incorrectly stated the Bengals & Rams offensive line. Cooper Kupp & Odell Beckham Jr play for the Rams, not the Bengals. The wide-receiving trio Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd play for the Bengals, not the Rams.
And Also...This
What’s got people saying ‘about time’...
The #MeToo bill. Yesterday, the Senate passed a landmark bill banning companies from forcing sexual harassment and assault claims to be handled privately vs in court. Think: no more shielding accused perpetrators from the public eye. The bipartisan-backed bill was first introduced in 2017 by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — who had an ally in former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. It could be Congress’ most significant response to the #MeToo movement, reportedly affecting about 60 million Americans subject to the clauses. Now it heads to President Biden for signature.
What’s being said: Supporters say ‘it’s about time.’ But critics reportedly say the bill is another example of government overreach into private companies.
Who’s in the hot seat…
Tesla. Earlier this week, a California agency sued the EV company over allegations of racial discrimination. The lawsuit alleges its factory in Fremont, CA, is a “racially segregated workplace.” And that Black workers are subjected to racist slurs and assigned the most physically demanding jobs. Tesla called the lawsuit “misguided,” adding that the company “strongly opposes all forms of discrimination.” It comes months after a fed jury awarded $137 million to a former employee whose complaints of racial harassment were ignored by managers. And as Tesla faces several other lawsuits — including of allowing “rampant” sexual harassment.
Who people are remembering…
Luc Montagnier. Earlier this week, the French virologist died at age 89. In 1983, Montagnier led a team of scientists to discover the HIV virus that causes AIDS. It led to the development of HIV testing and drugs. In 2008, Montagnier received a Nobel Prize with one of his colleagues for the monumental discovery. Recently, Montagnier had been criticized for repeating misinformation about COVID-19.
While life is looking up in Hawaii...
Consumer prices are looking way up nationwide. US inflation is at a 40-year high — up 7.5% as demand struggles with supply. And since inflation's sticking around for now, use these tips to make some room in your budget.
While these employees are getting free tuition...
This company's freeing the nipple.
What’s something we could all use more of…
*This entry was updated to reflect errors in earlier copy.
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