It's possible there is something wrong with me. As a sports fan, and specifically a fan of the New England Patriots, I watched yesterday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs and did not cut my wrists or wail against the gods or weep quietly over the news that Tom Brady-- the brilliant quarterback, reigning MVP, all-around handsome guy and the name on the only replica jersey I own-- went down for what appears to be the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
I am, in fact, a little excited about football season now.
Last year was not as enjoyable as you might think. If you recall, the Patriots went on a season-long Vengeance Tour during which the team closed ranks over charges of spying, running up the score, and something about the Lindbergh baby. They were the favorite in every game they played, and by a wide, wide margin. It was exhausting.
I'm serious. One of the joys of any sports fan's viewing experience is to see the Underdog Overcoming the Odds to Win Against All Expectations. In that sense the 2001-2002 Patriots victory over the Rams with a backup quarterback and a team stocked with discarded players from other teams is the nadir of my football-watching experience. (In the same vein, the 2004 Red Sox team will always come before all others.)
But in 2007-2008, the Patriots were the Overdog, every time. And by the end of the season I was of course still rooting for the team-- there is still a basic tribal need at work in rooting for the Us over the Them-- but it was more out of fear. Nobody wants to see their team become the cautionary tale, the giant slain by, in this case, the Giants.
I am much happier rooting for the plucky underdog. It's easier accepting defeat, and victory is a welcome surprise. And if the team doesn't win, well, whatever: we lost Tom Brady, after all.
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Comments
Yes, I know the Pats were the favorite in every game last season. But they didn't annihilate everybody (only the teams who deserved it, maybe?)! Many of the Pats' games could very easily have gone the other way (as evidenced by the SB, when it did).
For example: the Pats-Colts game in early November that was easily one the most exciting/challenging of the season (and/or my life). Brady tossed 4 interceptions. One of the best plays of the game was a leaping one-handed catch by Randy Moss that some Pats fan, somewhere, must have sold his soul to the devil to make possible.
One of the best aspects of watching the Patriots play is watching them "wake up" to their opponent (and so sad when they do not). Very rarely do they jump out on the field with all guns blazing.
In any case, despite my Brady tears, I loved your post, and could stand to see some more sports blogging on OS. King?
Great post, and I hear ya on the whole "It's hard routing for the Overdog" thing. On the other hand, it's sad in that regardless of who you support, watching Brady play the QB position with such skill is such a joy as a sports fan. He seems like a nice guy too, so it's always hard to see nice guys get hurt, while idiots stay healthy all season.
For the record, outside of Boston, there is no one more obnoxious than the Boston sports fan. You people are worse than even New York fans these days. Every time I walk into an establishment to watch a game even here in the Atlanta area, I am confronted with at least three drunk assholes named "Sully" or "Pat" who are wearing Youkilis jerseys, screaming at people and inappropriately touching the female wait staff.
You have an NFL championship, an NBA championship and MLB championship in less than a 2 year span. What more do you want??
All I have is the Braves in '95!
To hear a Boston fan long for the days of being the underdog is too much. I'm puking as I type. Reading this post was about as enjoyable as listening to a Sarah Palin speech.
oh, and seriously, lets do encourage more sports writing.
I have little objectively but admiration for Tom Brady's professionalism and awe for his skill (even in the SB, at *maybe* 70%, he was side-stepping rushers like a Tai-Chi master, with just a twist.) As a Jets fan*, I of course hate him and all his teammates, and his cheating traitor sack of feces coach most of all, but I'm not glad he's hurt.
Can't say I'm unhappy about the overall implications, tho. As someone who almost passed the boards in orthopedic surgery solely due to following one C. Pennington's myriad medical misfortunes... What can I say? That's the NFL.
* (I'm even the proud owner of a Jets #4 Jersey... name on the back even starts with an F :P)
I don't think of myself as obnoxious, because I don't define myself by the successes and failures of my teams. The first thing I said when the Giants won the Superbowl was that they played one hell of a game. Then I turned off the TV and stopped paying attention to football for the entire off-season.
Don't be harshing on Paul Pierce, though. The dude got stabbed seven times and returned to the basketball court six weeks later. I don't think his cojones should be questioned. He says he felt a pop, he felt a pop. That it turned out he was well enough to play was great, but please. People who think he faked it just to milk the drama need to stop watching so much television.
Remember it was Bledsoe's team Brady won with, and without Bledsoe coming off the bench in the playoffs Brady would have not won that first of many super bowls. I have yet to hear anyone say this, but what are the odds of Brady being done in New England? If the backup wins and puts up great numbers, maybe Brady ends up a Dolphin. Stranger things have happened...
I am also perfectly aware that not all Boston sports fans are raving idiot drunks. But I think you must be aware of the Boston fan prototype, otherwise you'd probably have more jerseys than just that Brady one.
And I believe that every Atlanta/D.C./Seattle/Phoenix/Kansas City/San Diego/Detroit/Philly/Cleveland/Cincinnati/Baltimore/New Orleans/Tampa sports fan should get a $1 every time a Boston or New York fan complains.
I checked out of local talk radio a long time ago for just that reason. So yes; I agree.
Now if I was complaining I'd say it was a cheap shot that took out Brady. But it wasn't.
Mostly, that's because he plays for the Patriots. Regardless of whether it is the 2007 team or any other season, you'll not find me rooting for the Patriots. I'd even root for the Bears if they played against the Patriots (but maybe not the Cowboys).
That said, it is truly sad to see Brady out. He just had one of the best seasons of any quarterback. His on-field performance is amazing. To have the season pulled out from under him is tragic.
And, yeah, what would it take to get a sports post on the Open Salon cover?
One of the craziest and scariest times I've ever had was going to a Patriots game in the old Foxborough Stadium. John Elway was still working his magic. I was sitting by myself, finding tickets at the last minute. My son and his friend were across the stadium from me.
I was wearing one of my beloved Broncos sweatshirts but I said nothing, made no reactions...even when John Elway was about to make one of his magical 4th quarter comebacks.
I started getting nervous that my Broncos might win. The crowd was angry and hostile. Curse words and accusations were being hurled my way...an innocent 30 year old something mother of four. I ignored them, but to be honest, I was relieved when the Broncos didn't pull it off and the Patriots won.
I've never been in such a volatile crowd environment like that before or since.