Now we can’t say “Super Bowl”?

I might not be a fan of football, but I am fond of the freedom of speech.  I’d noted recently at least two references to the Super Bowl that didn’t actually say the words "Super Bowl".  One reference was on a radio station.  They are giving away tickets to watch the "Big Game" in Barbados and the promotion specifically mentioned that fact that they could not call it by its actual name, but "you know which game we’re talking about".  Another was on an episode of Boston Legal where the day on which the game was played was referred to as "Super Sunday".  This seemed to be an odd coincidence, so I did a quick search and found that indeed the NFL is being overzealous in its efforts to control its copyright on the phrase.  Frankly, I’m speechless.  It gives me yet another reason to despise the NFL.  This is an American sport quashing commercial free speech with ridiculous trade mark claims.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.  I suppose the NFL is just keeping up with the times.  Free speech is no longer fashionable in American; the NFL is just trying to keep pace with the trends.  George Orwell would be so proud.