Of course, it’s just a “game”, but the Super Bowl is without question the year’s biggest televised event around the world. It’s hard to imagine that 60 minutes of sports can unite so many people for one day. But it does, and it’s a real opportunity for coaches, players, advertisers, and activists to use this platform to spread their message.

When you’re busy making and enjoying buffalo wings, nachos, and a dozen different dips, it can be hard to notice all that’s being shared on Super Bowl Sunday.

Nonetheless, here are 3 things I learned from watching the big game:

1. Even when the odds are against you, it’s not over until you run out of time. Ignore the naysayers. Work hard. Don’t give up. The score always changes.
2. Don’t get comfortable. Just when you think you’ve got it, someone else is still grinding. Don’t stop. You’ll regret it in the end.
3. Success rises and falls on leadership and teamwork. Everyone has a strategy, not everyone can get their team to follow it. Those who lead and those who follow, win… together.

Finally, two “side” observations… one from an interview before the game, and one from halftime:

First… In a pregame interview with Jimmy Johnson, Patriots’ head coach Bill Belicheck said he always looks for players who demonstrate 3 things… 1. They have a love of football, 2. They work hard, and 3. They are unselfish.

I was completely surprised by all three of the “winning traits” he mentioned. Not because they don’t make sense. But because I just assumed all NFL prospects and players possess all three. It would seem by his answer that that’s not the case. Maybe building a winning dairy team isn’t all that different from building a champion-caliber football team.

Second… During halftime, Lady Gaga had the biggest platform of the night to make a huge political statement. So what did she do with it?

She allowed her songs and their performance to speak for themselves. She chose not to say anything that would clash with any “side”, instead she stayed classy and sought to unite by allowing her body of work, the message of her lyrics, and the diverse people around her to make its own collective statement. Without saying anything divisive, she took a stand for what she believes. It turns out we could all learn a lesson about “actions over words” from Lady G.

As usual, the Super Bowl and all its fanfare lived up to the hype. So, what messages did you take away from the night?