‘Twas the day after the Super Bowl and all through the land, people jumped off the Falcons bandwagon and became Broncos fans.

In what may have been future Hall of Famer John Elway’s last game, he gave sports fans everywhere a going-away present with one of the best performances of his career in a 34-19 victory over the Falcons.

For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl itself was more exciting than the much-hyped commercial onslaught viewers must endure.

The Falcons’ misfires, miscues and missed opportunities did them in as the Broncos capitalized on the mistakes and emerged victorious.

Granted, Iowa’s own Tim Dwight had the major highlight for the Falcons with a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. However, if I have to see one more replay of that return on local television, I will be forced to finally submit to my urges and buy a DSS satellite dish.

It was a great return, but enough is enough. Did anyone know that former Cyclone offensive lineman Gene Williams started for the Falcons and was involved in a scuffle with Broncos defensive end Neil Smith?

Dwight did give the Falcons excellent field position with his returns, but those Dirty Birds just couldn’t put the ball in the endzone. Perhaps Dwight needs to play for teams who are not fowl, in more ways than one.

Speaking of foul, did Ray Buchanan’s shot on Shannon Sharpe in the first quarter look a little low? Super Bowl lesson #1: Do not spend the week before the big game dissing an opponent whose swelled head gets the best of him. It might hurt later on. A lot.

The entire Eugene Robinson situation had to be on the mind of the Falcons throughout the game. Robinson’s arrest for soliciting an undercover Miami police officer for oral sex the night before the Super Bowl was definitely a black eye for the team and Robinson. In time, the truth will surely emerge.

And while the whole Dan Reeves-Elway-Mike Shanahan storyline dominated the headlines leading up to the Super Bowl, the conclusion of the big game left me with some conclusions of my own.

I would like to know who came up with the idea to begin the pre-game show six hours before the game and force that person to take an involuntary Lambeau Leap into an empty stadium.

Cher’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was not as bad as I thought it would be, though I was upset that my request to have Ted Nugent perform it was denied.

But, hey, at least we got to see KISS in all their middle-aged, glam glory kick things off with that classic rock anthem, “Rock and Roll All Night.”

Could you imagine wearing those costumes in the 75 degree Miami weather? I could have sworn I saw Gene Simmons’ bat wings melt before my eyes. Nah, it was probably Ace Frehley’s whirling guitar pyrotechnics that distorted my perception.

Still, I am impressed that they were able to clear away all the smoke in the stadium after KISS’ explosive act in time for the kickoff.

When competing for the World Wrestling Federation championship, never let your opponent pin you with a forklift containing kegs of beer. (I think I would have been better off watching Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy than Mankind versus the Rock at halftime.)

However, kudos to the WWF for the best Super Bowl commercial, though the FOX Catcher Camera ad was hilarious, too.

I think the main idea to keep in mind when taking part in Super Bowl festivities is to have fun. The Super Bowl is entertainment on a grand scale.

Regardless if your team is playing in the big game, the weekend offers a little something for everyone.

And if you’re not into football, you can always get the food and beverages for the rest of us.

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Justin South is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Ankeny.