2024: The Year That Social Media Trauma-Dumped On Elmo
The internet really outdid itself this time. The universally beloved Sesame Street mainstay Elmo recently posted from his official social media account on X (formerly Twitter), asking how everyone is doing a few weeks into 2024. And the fine folks of the internet did what they do best: overshare and scare the crap out of someone trying to do good.
Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?
— Elmo (@elmo) January 29, 2024
Mental health check-ins are an important and necessary part of our day-to-day lives. It often helps to have an outlet you can rely on to help ease whatever mental or emotional burden is weighing on you. As evidenced by the nearly 17,000 replies Elmo received, the lovable muppet seems to have become that outlet for many troubled minds.
Some users went into great detail listing all the ways their mental health is in shambles. Such responses include, “Elmo I’m suffering from existential dread over here” and, “Elmo I’m depressed and broke.”
The thread gained so much momentum that various companies and public figures chimed in as well, including Domino’s Pizza, Oreo, and even world-famous artist Chance The Rapper. In fact, Chance seems to be one of the few who actually had good news to report to Elmo.
ran out of milk. do the math
— OREO Cookie (@Oreo) January 30, 2024
The next day Elmo sent out another post thanking everyone for their responses. He also encouraged everyone to check in on their friends every so often. Ya know, so they don’t have to resort to trauma-dumping on a puppet via social media. But it turns out that the good folks at Sesame Street know what they’re doing. All of the associated character accounts, and the official show account, sent out posts with the hashtag #EmotionalWellBeing, and provided links to resources the show provides to children and adults.
Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you.❤️ #EmotionalWellBeing pic.twitter.com/jhn2LNKfHf
— Elmo (@elmo) January 30, 2024
Look how tightly he’s clinging on to Baby David. Look at the anguish and exhaustion in those eyes. LOOK WHAT WE DID TO ELMO.
I commend Elmo’s efforts and the compassion behind them, but for his own mental health I hope he does a social media detox for a while after that fiasco. He’s earned it. In the meantime feel free to use any of the various mental health hotlines if you’re in need of additional services.
And please, leave poor Elmo alone on social media.
Chiefs-49ers and the Full List of Every Single Rematch In NFL Super Bowl History
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders - 1973 and 1983
30 Jan 1983: Quarterback Joe Theismann of the Washington Commanders gets tackled by a Miami Dolphins defensive player during the Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
The Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins had the first ever Super Bowl rematch in 1983, which took place ten years after their initial clash at Super Bowl VII. The undefeated Dolphins clinched the first win with a final score of 14-7. But the Commanders bounced back a decade later with a 27-17 win over Miami at Super Bowl XVII.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys 1976 and 1979 and 1996
28 Jan 1996: Defensive back Larry Brown of the Dallas Cowboys (left) returns an interception for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers running back John Williams tries to catch him during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cowboys won the game, 27-17.
This particular matchup holds the unique distinction as the only three-fer in Super Bowl history. The Steelers and Cowboys first faced off at Super Bowl X in 1976, which saw Pittsburgh emerge victorious with a final score 21-17.
Just three years later at Super Bowl XIII, the Steelers won against Dallas yet again with yet another four point deficit of 35-31.
But finally, at Super Bowl XXX, the Dallas Cowboys were able to prevent the hat trick with a spirited win over Pittsburgh, final score 27-17. With that much momentum behind the Cowboys, I’m sure they went on to remain a dominant force in the NFC right? Right?
Guys…right?
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals - 1982 and 1988
22 Jan 1989: Wide receiver John Taylor #82 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch as defensive back Ray Horton #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals moves in during Super Bowl XXIII at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the game 20-16.
As mentioned earlier, this year isn’t the first time the 49ers have faced a familiar foe at the big game. San Fran remains undefeated against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Super Bowl. Their first win came at Super Bowl XVI in 1982 with a final score of 26-21.
They would go on to beat Cincy by four points yet again in 1989, with a score of 20-16 to close Super Bowl XXIII.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills - 1992 and 1993
31 Jan 1993: Quarterback Jim Kelly # 12 of the Buffalo Bills is hit by linebacker Ken Norton Jr. #51 of the Dallas Cowboys at Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17.
I may have been a little too harsh toward Dallas earlier. After all, they do have a dominant streak against the Buffalo Bills when it comes to Super Bowl bouts. The two teams first collided in 1993 at Super Bowl XXVII, where the Cowboys stomped a mudhole in the Bills with a final score of 52-17.
The two teams would meet again one year later at Super Bowl XXVIII. Though the deficit wasn’t quite as staggering as the previous year, it was no less one sided with Dallas winning yet again at 30-13.
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams - 2002 and 2019
03 Feb 2002: Kurt Warner #13 of the St.Louis Rams struggles against getting sacked by Bobby Hamilton #91 of the New England Patriots during Superbowl XXXVI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots won 20-17.
The first Super Bowl meeting between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots was nothing short of electric. After a close, competitive showing from both teams, the Pats squeaked out a victory with a 48-yard field goal by kicker Adam Vinatieri with just 10 seconds left in the game. Final score 20-17.
The rematch between these two teams at Super Bowl LIII wasn’t quite as dramatic. In fact, it’s widely regarded as one of the least memorable Super Bowls in recent memory, with the game’s only touchdown happening in the fourth quarter. Don’t let the football snobs fool you with phrases like, “it was an amazing defensive game.” No, it was boring. Plain and simple.
Dullness of the actual game aside, the Patriots won out against the Rams yet again with a final score of 13-3.
New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles - 2004 and 2017
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After a tense back and forth at Super Bowl XXXIX, New England surged through late in the fourth quarter to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb put on an admirable performance, but Tom Brady was simply operating on a whole other level that night.
Fast forward 13 years later, however, and you see a much different story. In an undeniably gutsy and impressive display, backup Eagles QB Nick Foles led Philly to their first ever Super Bowl victory, which was made even sweeter by the fact that it was over a Brady-led Patriots.
The 2nd quarter trick play, now cemented in history as the “Philly Special”, is just one of the many reasons this win will go down as one of the most iconic Bowl games in football history.
New England Patriots vs. New York Giants - 2008 and 2012
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 05: Mario Manningham #82 of the New York Giants makes a catch on the sidelines against Patrick Chung #25 (L) and Sterling Moore #29 (obscured) of the New England Patriots for a gain of 39 yards in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
It seems the New York Giants are the Super Bowl kryptonite to the New England Patriots’ Superman. The Giants hold double wins over the Pats, the first happening at Super Bowl XLII with NY beating out NE 17-14.
Their rematch at Super Bowl XLVI told a similar story, with the Giants taking the W yet again with a final score of 21-17.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers - 2020 and 2024
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers lies on the ground after a play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida.
The 2019 NFL season marked the beginning of the Kansas City Chiefs’ run of dominance, capped off by an amazing performance by Patrick Mahomes at Super Bowl LIV. The Chiefs beat out the San Francisco 49ers that night, final score 31-20.
But as the highly-anticipated rematch looms, what will the future hold for the two teams? Will 49ers QB Brock Purdy accomplish what Jimmy Garoppolo could not? Will the immense star power of Taylor Swift propel the Chiefs even further into their Winning Era? Find out February 11 in Las Vegas!
