When did the Superbowl become an exercise in enforced patriotism?

[branford]

38. You don't have to do anything, even if you're personally attending the event.

The Superbowl is not a government activity, nor is there any government compulsion to watch the game, act in any way, or official penalty for not singing the National Anthem, paying tribute to the military, etc. (and those activities literally compromise a few minutes of a multi-hour game). If you don't like the cultural aspects of the Superbowl, don't attend, turn-off your television, or just start watching a few minutes later than everyone else.

It is a private sporting event that is culturally significant and enjoyable to a great many Americans. No more, no less. If the tens of millions of fans didn't like or want the displays that have you "gobsmacked," they wouldn't happen.

If people look at you oddly or treat you poorly because they believe you acted disrespectfully or don't agree with your perspectives, it's really just too bad. No one has a right against private social opprobrium.

The now expected and never-ending complaints about sporting events with patriotic themes, a phenomena which occurs all over the world (and notably Americans don't usually resort to the near certain nationalized, drunken violence in connection with these events like our purportedly less nationalistic and militarized friends in Europe), does nothing but make some Democrats look overly sensitive and eternally offended, culturally out-of-touch, if not actually anti-American, and along with other fringe and related ideas like "safe spaces" and demands for "hate speech" restrictions, actually result in Democrats losing elections.

Simply, you don't have to "honor" or participate in anything. You should, however, not be surprised that others find these displays and ideas important and enjoyable, and you're not protected from such ideas in our diverse and free society.