Florida student's Super Bowl petition nears 100K signatures; wants Saturday game or Monday holiday
Frank Ruggeri’s petition to formally change 'Super Bowl 56 to Saturday' garnered over 83,000 signatures
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Florida high schooler’s petition to move the NFL’s biggest event — the Super Bowl — from Sunday to a new day of the week is gaining momentum.
Frank Ruggeri, 18, of Palm Bay, says the game should be switched to Saturday – to allow young fans to stay up late and give other fans enough time to recover from the excitement. Other fans responding to the petition suggest attaching a Monday holiday afterward if the game remains on Sunday.
Ruggeri claims there are advantages for the NFL, too.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It will get more money and get more visitors to the game. NFL will get more television views because most government jobs have Sunday off. It will let more children enjoy their beloved game on TV or at the venue. Most of the football playoff games are on Saturday anyway," Ruggeri claims in the petition.
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So far, the petition to formally change "Super Bowl 56 to Saturday" has garnered more than 83,000 signatures.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An NFL logo is seen on the field at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 3, 2021. (Getty Images)
"It’s really, really important to me is because 17.2 million people miss work," Ruggeri told NewsNation’s "Morning in America," where he discussed bucking the longstanding tradition, FOX 59 of Indianapolis reported. "That’s $44 billion less of productivity."
"Commissioner Goodell, there would be more viewership. The people will be watching. Bigger party. And I think the economic impact would be easier to have it on a Saturday," Ruggeri added.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is lifted up by guard Lucas Patrick (62) after setting the franchise record for most passing TDs in the first quarter during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA Today Sports)
Several people online agreed.
"I believe it’s a change that would benefit everyone," one person said.
Another added: "Either move it to Saturday or make the Monday after a federal holiday."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A third commenter said it just makes "sense" to change the Sunday tradition.
The interior of SoFi Stadium as the Los Angeles Rams takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (Associated Press)
Another person said the "least" the NFL can do is "make the kickoff earlier." In recent years the game has begun sometime after 6 p.m. ET.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ruggeri initially started the petition two years ago, but has been persistent in seeing it through.
"Still seeking change," he wrote in an update two years ago. "Still want the Super Bowl to Saturday," he added in another.
It remains to be seen if the NFL will change its big event.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Super Bowl LVI is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 13.