A record-setting 111.3 million viewers tuned in to see the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21 to 17 in Super Bowl XLVI. However, the biggest story outside of the game seems to revolve around British rapper M.I.A (real name Maya Arulpragasam) who guest-starred in Madonna’s half-time performance and caused a bit of a stir when she gave the camera the middle finger.

If the FCC decides to fine someone for this flipping of the bird, M.I.A could be the one who winds up writing the check (according to reports). Sources say that the NFL had Madonna’s supporting acts sign a contract holding them responsible for any fines that could come from from the FCC if they did anything that warranted a fine during the performance. As you remember, Janet Jackson’s 2004 wardrobe malfunction with Justin Timberlake earned CBS a $550,000 fine, but that was eventually thrown out by a federal appeals court.

So was the middle finger itself a big deal?

I don’t think so. Flipping the middle finger isn’t uncommon on TV, even in the NFL. Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was fined $10,000 in October for flipping the bird during a televised game on Fox versus the St. Louis Rams. I think that, as a country, we’ve become overly sensitive these days over things people consider “vulgar”.

If you turn on almost any network, cable, or even news station at 9 p.m., you can probably find people talking about things much worse than a middle finger. I don’t know why it seems that Americans getting more sensitive about these kinds of things. What’s next? Performers being shown from the waist up again on TV because the way they move their hips are too scandalous?

A middle finger isn’t anywhere in the same league as an exposed breast, but it’s getting just as much attention. I would have thought we would have evolved as a country where we would be more accepting over language, gestures and nudity, but instead we are regressing. Full-frontal nudity and foul language is not uncommon to see on normal television across Europe. I had long hoped we’d get to that point, but instead we are going backward for some reason.

However, I do think what M.I.A did was stupid, and it has nothing to do with the middle finger itself,  but because I think she tried to do something “edgy” to boost her popularity and make her name known. Yes, a lot of music lovers know of M.I.A., but I would guess that the average Super Bowl viewer had no idea who M.I.A was before last night.

Her juvenile attempt at bringing attention to herself worked, as she was one of the most Googled things Monday morning. The middle finger looked pre-meditated and not spontaneous as she looked straight at the camera when she did it. Yes, everyone has seen a middle finger before, but not everyone knew who M.I.A. was, but now they certainly do.

I’m not disappointed she flipped the middle finger, I’m upset that such a talented artist like M.I.A. resorted to such a cheap trick for attention. M.I.A. has made some great music already in her young career with lyrics that range from cultural to political to philosophical. She is also a philanthropist, but instead of being known for any of that, she’s now know by many for the first time as the rapper who gave the middle finger during the Super Bowl. M.I.A had a worldwide stage to say or do anything she wanted, or get any message across, and all she did was flip the bird. To me, is not a good look.

What do you think about M.I.A’s Super Bowl middle finger?

Hey Pittsburgh fans, stop texting me about how great your team is.

More about Big Snoop’s AMAZING effort to inspire kids from the hood through sports after the jump. You might have missed an amazing ESPN the Magazine story about Coach Snoop here. Check it out…Snoop is an undefeated coach.

SUPERSTAR SNOOP DOGG ANNOUNCES SNOOP YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE’S “SNOOP BOWL IX” ON FEBRUARY 5

ANNUAL EVENT HOSTED BY DEION SANDERS and MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT
PARTNERS with KINECT FOR XBOX 360

(January 31, 2011) – Superstar and philanthropist Snoop Dogg has just announced the 9th annual Snoop Bowl will take place on Saturday, February 5 in Lancaster, Texas. This year, football legend Deion Sanders will host the annual event and compete against Snoop’s All Star Team.

Snoop Bowl will be filled with sports and fun and feature seven different games taking place throughout the day. The marquee game will pit Snoop Dogg’s All Stars against football great’s Deion Sanders’ TRUTH Select National Champion Football Team. Other teams who will be competing will be from Fort Worth, Brownsville, Texas, St. Louis, Arkansas, Oklahoma City and Memphis.

Throughout the years, Snoop Bowl has attracted countless celebrities participating, whether performing or coaching, and is a great event that gives back to the youth and their communities. Celebs who have contributed in the past include Pitbull, Flo-Rida, DJ Khaled, Will.I.Am and many more.

Snoop Dogg says, “I am so happy to have been doing this event for nine years straight and am excited to be coaching this year against Deion Sanders, a football great who I grew up watching. Through our mutual love for football and giving back to the youth, we have come together. The fact that we both have our own youth football leagues is a blessing; but he better watch himself on the field because my team is killing his!”

Deion Sanders, who created his own youth football league (TRUTH) and is known for his philanthropic work, says, “We still believe the children are the future. I thank God there is a man who shares the same love, passion and focus for tomorrow’s leaders as I do. Some call him Snoop Dogg, I call him a friend.”

Throughout the years, Snoop Bowl has generated an enormous amount of positive press in outlets such as USA Today, NY Times, Miami Herald, Wall Street Journal and many more. This year’s game is excited to partner [with Kinect for Xbox 360.

Snoop Bowl IX will take place from 9am to 6pm at Lancaster Recreation Park (1567-2101 N Jefferson Rd. Lancaster, TX 75134). With Snoop’s game taking place at 3pm. For more information please visit www.ptasports.org .

About SYFL: The Snoop Youth Football League is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by Snoop Dogg and established to provide the opportunity for inner-city children to participate in youth sports. The SYFL serves children between the ages of 7 and 13, teaching them the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, discipline and self respect while also stressing the importance of academics.

About Primetime Association and Truth Youth Football:
Prime Time Association is a

Lil homie ain’t playing.