What's So Great About Valentine's Day?

By: Alex Mielcarz Feature Editor

Ah, yes. The February issue of the USF Encounter. An issue full of positive articles and listicles about everyone's (least) favorite Hallmark holiday: Valentine’s Day. Let’s establish this now. I don’t hate the holiday; I just wish it didn’t exist. I’m going to sound like such a boomer when I say this, but just go with me for a second. Aren’t there better things to spend your money on? Christmas was two months ago. My partner and I just spoiled each other with gifts bought with our hardearned money, and now we’re expected to do it again? Make it make sense!

The whole point of Valentine's Day is to show your partner how much you care about them. But is that not what a relationship is? Going above and beyond for each other every day? Doing things that show them that you love them? Whether that be getting them their favorite candy, a box of chocolates, or just a simple flower. I shouldn’t have to do it just because social construct says to do so. Especially not on a day where they're expecting it.

Every year you show up with their gift and your partner acts so surprised. “Are these for me?” “You didn’t have to get me anything!” Meanwhile, I knew damn well that I did have to. If I didn’t, we all know that I’m getting a swift kick to the curb. Why can’t we just treat our significant other to surprises whenever we want? I shouldn’t have to do it on a designated date.

This is all very “Old man yells at cloud”-ish but I’m getting closer to the point. I promise.

The point to all this nonsensical complaining is that I would like to treat my partner like it’s Valentine’s Day every day. Yes, I know that’s cheesy. I apologize to all our readers who just threw up a little bit (or a lot). My point being, you shouldn’t show love or passion for your significant other just because some holiday says you should. You also shouldn’t be scrambling to find a date so you’re “not alone” on Valentine’s Day. What’s the point? You go on one meaningless date with some guy from Tinder just so you weren’t alone on a Hallmark holiday? We should be searching for deeper connections than that.

I don’t mean to pass judgement on you for how you are going to celebrate the holiday this year. But maybe these are some things to keep in mind as we approach the holiday next year?

Anyways, Happy Valentine’s Day. And, for what it’s worth, I did get my partner what is, in my opinion, a pretty sweet gift.

By: Mathias Woerner Sports Editor

Aside from the always loving conversations that go on between defensive backs and wide receivers, the National Football League's (NFL) sweet talk highlight of the year happens tonight, February 9 out in Glendale, AZ, the site for this year’s Super Bowl. The NFL Honors Event recaps the year that was and recognizes some of the most noteworthy moments and stories of the NFL season. The event is just one of many that the Super Bowl and its anticipation bring to fans of the sport around the world.

This past weekend the NFL began their Super Bowl festivities with a new take on the Pro Bowl. Rather than having a normal exhibition football game played, the league decided to skimp on the sport and opt for entertainment with the Pro-Bowl skills competition.

The Super Bowl mania will of course end with the actual game, held this Sunday, February 12 in Glendale, AZ at the State Farm Stadium. The game will mark the end of a tumultuous and high profile year for the NFL and football as a sport. This is because the main storyline of this season in the national spotlight was not rookie quarterback (QB), Brock Purdy taking over for the San Francisco 49ers. Or the galling season put up by most valuable player (MVP), favorite Patrick Mahomes, but something much more serious to the health of the sport, according to www.legalsportsreport.com

The hard hits and regulated violence in football are some of the very things that have drawn fans to stadiums and televisions everywhere since its inception. This year that draw took on a different feeling with the stories of Damar Hamlin and Tua Tagovailoa. Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills’ safety, had commotio cordis on the field during Week 17’s road game in Cincinnati against the Bengals. While he went on to make an extraordinary physical recovery in Cincinnati and was able to attend the Bills’ second round playoff game in the Divisional Round against those same Bengals, his cognitive recovery continues.

Also in the crosshairs of this NFL season was Miami Dolphins QB, Tua Tagovailoa. If not for the Hamlin story, the concussion saga that was Tagovailoa would be more in the