Today, like every other day this week, I woke up as a fan of a National Championship Team. Not the one from 17 years ago or the many times before that - the current National Championship Team. As the game and the season begins to fade into the rear view mirror (we're 1 of 52 weeks in), I realize that this is the best part. There are no more games to win, no more blowhards to silence, or pregame rituals to follow (at least until the fall). This is the best part because my team, our team is the best and proved it one week ago.
I'm not going to get into all the BS arguments over Colt McCoy's injury affected the outcome of the game (I'll always believe the outcome would remain the same), because - as discussed here before - sports plays, games, and seasons are very fragile. Look no further than our survival of the Tennessee game. One bounce, or gust of wind, or malfunctioning headset, or even a piece of dust in a referee's eye can turn a game, and by extension, a season into crap. I think of Jerry Seinfeld's bit about Olympic sprinters where he sticks his neck forward and says "greatest guy in the world," then pulls his neck back and follows, "never heard of him." The point is Texas called a run play and their QB was knocked out of the game. It's football and that stuff happens. For our UK basketball fan readers, I haven't ever heard them belly-ache over Keith Bogans' sprained ankle that cost them back in the 2003 NCAA tournament. It's sports, it's fragile. These opportunities come around very few times. And so in the words of Eminem, you have to "seize the moment, try to freeze it and hold it." Alabama did. Several times. Like when we hired our coach to make these moments more frequent. Or when our QB made the SEC championship game into his masterpiece of management and timely throws. Or when Mount Cody decided he wouldn't let the season end just because the team was worn out. Or when Marcel Dareus plucked a ball from the air and then ran down the halls of Alabama
immortality. This team is special. This is the greatest season we've ever had and it was led by a special group of guys. McClain, Ingram, Arenas, Cody, Peek, McElroy, and of course Saban. I'm guessing several forms of these names will start passing through preschools in Alabama within 4 years.
We're a state that gets dismissed and made fun of a lot. We have our problems for sure. I could write a whole different blog about that. But we have always taken football seriously (and not to our detriment). That's why when a special group of players and coaches give us a team that we can be proud of, it sets this place on fire. And not the way Knoxville lit up thanks to the mattresses on Tuesday night. (Sorry, couldn't help myself).
Roll Tide! We'll talk about next year next year (but it's looking good so far). For the next 51 weeks, we are going to enjoy being on top. Because you never know when that gust of wind will come along and blow away your chance for this feeling again.
P.S.
I don't know why UT fans were so upset about Kiffin leaving. This is a clean slate from a bad hire to begin with...and without having to pay his buyout. What is USC thinking?
2 comments:
In Re Injury of Keith Bogans...oh, I've complained about that. At the same time, I don't begrudge Marquette's success that year because I don't believe anyone was stopping Dwayne Wade during that game. Keith may have been able to slow him down, but Dwayne was a force of nature during that game.
also, with Lane, I can't imagine UT fans ever really and truly liked this guy, though they may have tricked themselves into thinking they did. But, to put it in Alabama terms, what if Mike Shula had left Alabama for Oklahoma after one year? You would hate him and would probably want to string up Mal Moore for letting him embarrass you like that. It's like if Billy Gillispie had taken off for UCLA after one year. UT fans have been deprived the opportunity to hate Lane on their terms.
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