For many viewers, the Super Bowl commercials are just as anticipated as the actual game. Super Bowl XLIX on February 1st was no different. From light-hearted and comical to heavy and depressing, these commercials continued to entertain, move, and make statements.

The viewers could take a couple different approaches to the commercials. Some viewers may believe that the commercials are there for entertainment and advertising purposes. Others may believe that they are for a deeper purpose: saving the reputation of the NFL.

Senior Jacque Abshier had an objective view of the commercials. “I think the commercials are basically propaganda to get more business for that product.”

On one hand, these commercials may simply function as a fun, humorous, and innovative break from the tense game. For example, the long-awaited Doritos commercials never fail to bring the laughter. Some viewers appreciate comical, uncommon, and surprising commercials.

“My favorite commercial was the Turbo Tax commercial. They basically reversed the Revolutionary War, it was pretty funny. I thought it was very clever,” senior Jacque Abshier said.

On the other hand, this year’s Super Bowl may have been especially important for the National Football League. With several set-backs and scandals in 2014, the NFL had a chance to maintain and mend their reputation as a professional association that suffered over the past year. The scandals included cases of rule violations, domestic violence, child abuse, and ignoring medical issues, just to name a few. Perhaps sentimental, and family-oriented commercials will prove that the NFL’s morals are in check.

“I believe the most effective commercials are the ones that hit home and are really emotional,” said Abshier.

Similarly, cheerful, witty, and humorous commercials might possibly convince the viewer that the NFL’s allegations aren’t as severe as they seem to be. Whatever the rationalizations, these advertisements may not merely be about advocating brands of beer and nacho cheese-flavored chips.