So it is that in this year, 2005, it’s the New England Patriots versus the Philadelphia Eagles in that epic contest.
And how cool is that, if for mere symbolic value?
I’m fairly neutral as far as which team I want to win. Both teams are personified by their quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Donovan McNabb, a couple of seemingly classy guys.
The only reason that I *might* want to see the Eagles win is to simply hear Mr. McNabb calmly thank one Rush Limbaugh for his victory. But if his team—the one with the best record in the NFC and the third best record in the NFL--does win, he’ll probably be more gracious than that. Maybe. I hope not, though.
On the other hand, Tom Brady and other quarterbacks like him have set a new tone following onto the greats in that position. And who can forget how heartening it was to see the very red-white-and-blue Patriots win the Super Bowl in that still very raw year of 2002?
The only teams with better regular season records than the Eagles were the Patriots and the Pittsburg Steelers—beaten by the Patriots yesterday. The Steelers were the leaders; now we have two of those who worked the hardest in the regular season and who survived crunch time in the playoffs. And, in spite of these statistics, what counts in football is the individual year, getting to the Big Show and one’s performance in same. (Does any NFL fan remember the names of Doug Williams or Jim McMahon?)
So all I can say is this: you go, boys. May the best men win.
Sorry, I have to go with Brady as he is from Univ. of MI!! I love football and hate it when the season ends. 2006 Superbowl in Detroit - I hope to get tickets!
Posted by: Anastasia | January 24, 2005 at 10:36 AM
Why don't you just kick a Falcons fan while he's down? Huh?
That HURT, Juilette.
Posted by: Acidman | January 24, 2005 at 01:41 PM
Sorry, Acidman, but when the reports of the horrible weather in the Northeast came through, I knew that your Falcons were toast (so to speak).
Posted by: baldilocks | January 24, 2005 at 06:31 PM
I'm pretty much neutral but lean towards Philly & McNab too. Different reason though - I like the soup commercials with his mom (at least I think she's his real mom - looked like the lady in the fur coat in the stands yesterday).
Posted by: Glenmore | January 24, 2005 at 06:57 PM
"Does any NFL fan remember the names of Doug Williams or Jim McMahon?"
Oh yes indeed! Doug Williams led my beloved Redskins to one of their Superbowl wins. Ever since the "Danny" era started, we dwell in football darkness here in DC. :/
I was actually hoping for Pittsburgh to win the AFC as I wanted to see an all-PA Superbowl.
Posted by: Bucky Katt | January 25, 2005 at 07:49 AM
I agree with you, but yes I do remember those names very well.
Posted by: Evelyn | January 25, 2005 at 11:11 AM
I wonder if Mr. McNabb realizes how much he owes to Limbaugh for lighting that fire...?
Meanwhile I'm SURE that Mr. McNabb understands that Limbaugh was commenting on the tendency of the liberal weiner sports press to overrate the black quarterback, compelled by their collective guilt or whatever. I know that McNabb does not believe Limbaugh actually said anything at all racist. Yet D-Mac remains silent, along with the entire NFL and everyone at ESPN.
Limbaugh really never had a chance over there... and that whole episode really took the luster off ESPN for me.. it's much harder to enjoy stuff when I'm aware that the people presenting it would call me names and say bad things about me if they happened to hear me say what I believe.
Kinda like trying to watch a movie with Streisand in it.
Posted by: Dave | January 25, 2005 at 06:33 PM
Hey Baldilocks, I forgot two things:
#1 thanks very much for linking to that article by Dennis Prager in your "articles I like" list.. it is immeasurably useful to me as a clarifier of thought and a debate aid.
#2 thanks for doing this blog, and being a part of my daily reading.
Pats all the way, and Tom Brady for president in '08!
Dave Perkins
Houston
Posted by: Dave | January 25, 2005 at 06:38 PM
Crispus Attucks - most excellent choice all things considered. I wonder how many New England Patriot players know who he is?
Posted by: c hthonic | January 29, 2005 at 07:10 PM
Football is like life you can only get jazzed by it if you have some personnel conection I grew up in San fran and went to candlestick with my brothers and dad to watch willie Mays, willie Mcovey the alous phillipe matty jesus all played at one time for the Giants juan Marichal starting pitcher against sandy Kofax of the dogers what a rivalry tell me I didnt have a good childhood then later in high school years it was free concerts in Golden Gate park Gratefull dead .tower of power lee michaels [One hit wonder} country joe and the fish arlo guthrie The Band {my favorite } Taj Mahal } then if you had the money every saturday night you had anyone you wanted to see eventually at the Filmore bbking the who the creams first tour { Ginger Baker blew the lights out } in the white room johnney winters bo didly edgar winters jethro tull I cant remember them all cause people had a bad habit of putting hallucinaginic drugs in the wine bottles they passed around thank God I just hitchiked back then anyways boy did I get offtrack you need to have some kind of connection for sports I moved to Oregon in 76 I became a trailblazor fan I live 150 miles SE of portland I like the seahawks cause the 9ers dont exist anymore Im beginning to think the Seahawks are barely a head of them Ilike the Mariners and I love Ichiro once again it can just be one person on one team that draws you to it I love mcnabb and Im going for PHILLY
Posted by: skinner | January 31, 2005 at 02:09 AM