So, the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers made it to this year's Super Bowl. My immediate reaction is...."meh." It'll change, I know from my own history - where I sat down and watched San Francisco play Cincinnati a couple times, or other (to my ears and eyes) dull matchups we've gotten in The Big Game from time to time.
Glad to see Aaron Rodgers make it. He's had a long road from Cal to this point, replacing a legend in the process. Remember how the Packers were ridiculed for even considering putting Rodgers in for Favre? Well, who's laughing now? And, conversely, who's sending dirty pictures to young ladies? I know, it's old, and not like he's doing it right now....or is he? Green Bay's a great story, in and of itself, the legendary Little Town That Could. Owns its' own team. Sells out in good years and bad. Operated by men of apparent football acumen and intellect.
Similarly, Pittsburgh's a great football town. I have relatives there, they've always loved their Steelers. And, for years, those Steeler teams deserved the high praise for being the epitome of what's best in the city's people. Hardworking. Loyal. Fearless. Of course, the sheer amount of titles they won over the years have helped swell the ranks of Steeler fans - but that always happens (right, Yankee fans?). The Steelers have been good to great since the early 1990's, which is a testament to the football acumen and intellect of the coaches and front office folks who pick their players. The fans sell out every game, seldom leave early, and pull for 'em when they're good or bad. They don't show the lowly Pirates quite the same love, though - but we're talking football here.
Every silver lining has it's touch of grey, and I can't see why The Rapist gets a pass. His past rotten behavior is widely reported and - given the type of behavior we're talking about here --- I'm betting that's only scratching the surface. We all hear stories of athletes and their sense of entitlement, their misdeeds, and their conquests, and there are probably thousands of similar stories relating to hundreds of different professional athletes. [Mike Vick, Ray Lewis, Plax Burress, the list goes ever onward] But, all that aside, Ben's transgressions were discovered this time - he didn't get away with it, at least not scot-free. I wouldn't want any of my kids parading around in a #7 Steeler jersey (go for a Polamalu), and I'll bet there are alot of parents who feel the same way.
I hope he's changed his life. I just can't see how he deserves to be in such a plum spot at this point in his life. And I don't like all of the apologists claiming that it's just so much old news. If it were your daughter, you wouldn't be in such a hurry to forgive and forget.
Karma's a bitch, perhaps his wheel's almost finished spinning around.
Getting back to the upcoming game, it should be a good matchup. Two great defenses. The Packer offense can be really great, but sometimes can really lay an egg. I'm guessing Pittsburgh's defense carries the day, and that the Steeler offense finds the end zone just enough to win this one. Won't be easy.
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So much to do, and never enough time. I think I've been spending 4 of 7 days a week at various ice rinks either coaching or playing hockey. My son scored his first goal yesterday, and had an assist and penalty to go along with that - a kid's version of the Gordie Howe hat-trick. Pretty cool. In all my years of playing, I've never been so jacked up as I was when I saw my kid have a little on-ice success. Being the coach, however, I had to bring the team down to Earth and remind them immediately after the big 8-0 win that they all needed a lot more practice. What a killjoy. But I am the coach, after all.
What if this is as good as it gets?
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