When Emotions Cloud Common Sense: The Super Bowl LIX Conspiracy Frenzy
Super Bowl LIX is here, and the Kansas City Chiefs are chasing history. If they win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, they’ll be the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. It’s an incredible feat, one that has football fans across the country on edge.
But for some, the excitement has tipped over into something else entirely—full-fledged conspiracy theories.
The Chiefs Conspiracy Craze
Instead of celebrating the unique talents of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Chiefs team, thousands of fans from other teams are convinced the NFL is rigging the game in Kansas City’s favor. They claim referees have been biased all season, that the league itself wants the Chiefs to win for ratings, and that money is exchanging hands behind closed doors to ensure the outcome.
Common sense tells us this is absurd.
The NFL is a multi-billion-dollar business with millions of fans watching every call, every replay, and every slow-motion angle. If there were a grand conspiracy, it would be nearly impossible to keep it hidden. And yet, people believe.
How Emotions Override Logic
Sports fandom is emotional. People invest their time, energy, and identity into their teams. When their team loses—or worse, when a rival continues to dominate—it’s easier to believe something unfair is happening than to accept reality.
This isn’t just about football.
The same psychological patterns play out in business and everyday life. When emotions run high, people become more susceptible to conspiracy theories, confirmation bias, and flawed reasoning. Instead of looking at facts objectively, they search for evidence that supports their feelings.
Psychologists call this motivated reasoning—a phenomenon where our desires and preferences influence the conclusions we draw. As Psychology Today explains,
"Human beings are not always—in fact, probably not often—the objective, rational creatures we like to think we are."
Reality Check
Let’s break it down logically:
The Chiefs win because they have an elite quarterback, an experienced coach, and a deeply ingrained mindset of teamwork.
Every NFL game has calls that go one way or another, often benefiting different teams at different times.
If referees were truly fixing games, there would be whistleblowers, leaked reports, and undeniable proof. None exists.
The more successful the Chiefs are, the more some people want to believe they must have an unfair advantage. NFL Commissioner, Roger Godell, called the idea that NFL officials give Kansas City favorable treatment “absolutely ridiculous” during his Super Bowl presser Monday (February 3, 2024). (Source: Sports Illustrated)
The truth is simpler than a conspiracy: They’re just really, really good.
Lessons for Leaders: Avoiding Emotional Reactions at Work
This Super Bowl conspiracy is a perfect example of how emotions can cloud judgment.
But this doesn’t just happen in sports—it happens in business too.
Here are three ways leaders can prevent their emotions from clouding their judgment.
1) Assess your biases. Leaders must be aware of their own confirmation bias, especially under pressure. When faced with tough decisions or workplace conflicts, it’s easy to interpret information in a way that reinforces our existing beliefs. We may assume an employee’s past mistakes mean they can’t improve, or that a competitor’s success must be due to unfair tactics rather than strategic execution. Assess and be aware of your own biases.
2) Take a step back. When you feel pressure to make a decision, or feel exhausted, slow down. Ask yourself: Am I reacting emotionally, or am I looking at the full picture? A pause to discern your emotional state can enable you think clearly and avoid affirming your biases.
3) Seek additional views. Gather diverse perspectives, challenge your own assumptions, and make decisions based on data, not just gut instinct.
In high-stakes moments—whether it’s a Super Bowl or a boardroom decision—the ability to pause, think critically, and act rationally separates strong leaders from the rest.
As we head into the Super Bowl, let’s enjoy the moment, appreciate greatness when we see it (on both teams!), and—most importantly—let common sense win out over clouded judgment.
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