For the Ages

Some of the Westernmost Pats' Fans Watching Game Last Night

I’m a little hoarse of voice this morning as I gave full throat to one of the greatest football games ever played last night. The Patriots inexplicably and in direct contravention of all traditional wisdom staged an epic comeback to snatch victory out of the mouths of a talented but worn out Atlanta team. I thought the game was over so many times as the gifted Falcons offense ran circles around a Patriots defense that looked overmatched and slow for more than half a game.

By the middle of the third quarter they were down 25 points and all hope appeared buried deeper than Roger Goodell’s ethics. The very helpful broadcasters showed a graphic that teams down by this much in the playoffs were a collective 0 for 93. This however was a team, led by the greatest quarterback of all time. They shrugged off all the noise telling them they didn’t have a chance and slowly ate into the lead. A strip sack, miraculous throws and one seemingly impossible catch followed in a game that will go down in the annals as something very, very special.

The Catch

We had another couple over to watch the game in the Man Cave and enough food and snacks for six times that number. By half time we were looking at each other and wondering what happened to the real Patriots. As the Patriots started their comeback we discerned that this happened when my friend’s girlfriend went under a blanket so she spent the rest of the game peeking out from under that blanket; roundly chastised if she let it droop at all. She didn’t emerge until we were all screaming and jumping around when the Patriots scored the winning touchdown in overtime.

Blanket That Won the Championship

This is the reason we watch sporting events; for this rare opportunity to see something that has never been done before. To see millionaires cry like babies as they lay exhausted on the field, having given every ounce of effort to win a championship. I came away with a profound appreciation of just how special Mr. Brady is; the Atlanta team was also fun, if agonizing, to watch. I’m convinced Julio Jones is an alien from another planet, just so good.

Three Meals at once

Prior to the game my Favorite Panamanian was trying to overcome her frustration at being out of town/country when the California Contingent shows up on Thursday for a weeklong visit. She prepared three huge meals and then placed them all in the freezer before certain well known kitchen predators (Buddy and I) could graze. I’m under strict orders to break the seal only when my daughter, Wingman and granddaughter are in residence.

Everyone I’m running into today in New England look tired, speak in the same hoarse voice I have, and smile at the sheer unbelievability of what the Patriots accomplished last night. A truly satisfying note after the game was seeing weasel dink Goddell booed roundly off the stage when he had to present the trophy to the Patriots owner. I’m so tired today but it’s a very good fatigue. We called the offspring after the game only to learn the Frist Blog Reader’s bed time had occurred just before the overtime period. She still saw the comeback though. She won’t remember this in twenty years when she’s finally, hopefully, reading this, but you saw history last night kiddo.

Today’s morale photo injection: