Topics deployed our special teams unit (us and photographer Jonathan Carroll) to the Albion Hotel at Wickham so we could interrupt fans watching the Super Bowl and ask them.

Tim Clack, from Maryville (Philadelphia Eagles fan): ‘‘It’s the aggression, the speed – it’s all about the athleticism. And it’s a good way to spend your Monday’’.

OK. But why all the padding?

Mick Mandas, from Charlestown (Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants fan): ‘‘The smallest guy out there’s 250 pounds. I’d want padding as well’’.

Are you American? You sound a bit American.

Pete Wall, from Newfoundland, Canada (New England Patriots fan): ‘‘No, I’m from Newfoundland. In Canada’’.

By this point, we’d caused all three to miss a Patriots touchdown. So we left.

In case you didn’t catch it, the Giants won 21-17 in a thriller, after a half-time performance by Madonna who, at 53, is seven years older than Super Bowl.