After-Effects (and Afterthoughts)

It should tell you where my brain is at when I inform you that I just spent about 15 minutes decided whether or not 'After-Effects' should be hyphenated in today's blog title. In English, it most definitely is, but in American writing it is acceptable to use it as the one word 'aftereffects' and that has become the norm. I'm an Englishman writing in English in England, but the subject of today's blog is the Super Bowl, which is an American event taking place in America involving an American sport, so I let myself get a bit confused about which form to use.
And that's where my brain is today, and I'm blaming the NFL.
I am nearly 40 now, and these overnight sports-watching extravaganzas come with a heavy price. Time was, I could have a four-pack of Budweiser, a bowl full of salty snacks, a tube of Pringles or two, and eat, drink and watch my way through to the early hours, then grab a couple of hours light sleep, get up for a hearty breakfast and then go do a full days work. Now I have to fight to stay awake into the second half, I have to book the Monday off so I can sleep in and recover, and if I eat anything after 11pm I have indigestion til Wednesday.
Anyway, I believe it is a bit of a tradition now for me to share my thoughts on the game just watched? (And it comes with my usual disclaimer - if you're not an NFL fan, probably best if you skip this one and come back tomorrow....)
1. It was definitely a good game, but I didn't think it was as good as some of the enthusiastic presenters and commentators seemed to think it was. A couple of big plays and impressive moments, but a lot of it was defenders unable to get anything done, bad penalties, and waiting for reviews on catches that may or not have counted as catches. I would still class Eagles/Patriots and Chiefs/49ers as better matches, just from the last few years alone.
2. Jalen Hurts was playing football from another planet. Only 24, only been a starter for two seasons, never been to the Super Bowl before, and he was astonishing. THREE rushing touchdowns - which has never been done by a Running Back before, let alone a Quarterback - some outrageous throws, and he looked calm and in control throughout. He was undoubtedly the best player on the park, and should have been named MVP, but it's only ever given to someone on the winning team, so he had that taken from him as well.
3. I love the fact that a sport dominated by ultra-healthy, nutritionally-advised-to-within-an-inch-of-perfection young superstars has a winning coach who looks like he should be living permanently next door to a cardiac wing.
And that's all I have for now, really. Sorry it's not insightful or wise, but as I mentioned in Paragraph One, I'm still recovering....

RC 14-2-23