After a late hit in last night's Packers-Cardinals game, a photo of Aaron Rodgers' reaction has gone viral. Rodgers is a pretty self confident, bordering on arrogant, guy, which is an advantage in the QB profession. But, QBs are also prone to getting hit regularly, which must come as a shock to them; especially in an age where they are protected like Faberge' eggs. Aaron, you chose this life. C'mon Man!
46 years is a long time. That is how long I have owned this jacket, and it still hangs in my closet. I bought it in 1976, the Bucs inaugural season, and have only worn it to a couple dozen games. It is not exactly what to wear in 95 degree sunshine. I have been on the East Side of the Stadium for 46 years, baking in the Florida sun. Once, in the middle of a 1 P.M. game I measured the temp at 104 degrees. But, I keep the jacket, as a reminder of the long term futility of fandom, and the inherent futility of worrying about the past or the future. Today, we enjoy every victory; but, realize that victory is being able to get up each day, and sit in the sun, and enjoy the present. So, I hope for at least one home game this year when the temperature is cold enough to wear Bucco Bruce; but, I hope more for a few more days, months and years, to hold it in my hands. Go Bucs.
I attended my first Bucs home game in 1976. I don't have to tell you what the next 45 years were like, do I? There was one little blip in 2002, where they actually fielded a team that won a Super Bowl; but, other than that, no professional sports team in history has been as hapless as the lowly Bucs. One year, we copied the Saints, and wore paper bags over our heads, with slits cut for the eyes. Here I am at a USF game seven years ago in Tampa with one of my many Bucs hats on. For a long time, wearing it was like being the dumbest man in the room. Anybody else out there able to claim being a season ticket holder since 1976?
So, CBS Boston Thinks The Bucs Celebration Was Lame? Wow. I realize that CBS Boston isn't happy that the Patriots didn't go to the playoffs last year after they threw away Tom Brady. I realize that CBS Boston isn't happy that the Red Sox are 9 games behind the Rays with 21 games to play. I realize that CBS Boston isn't happy that the Rays went to the World Series last year and the Patriots didn't even go to the show. But, hey, guys! Bitter much? To publish an actual story complaining about how the Bucs celebrated their Super Bowl victory is the lamest act I have seen in a long time. No wonder Brady left. Michael Hurley is lame. They pay him to write this stuff?
Growing up as a Redskin fan was difficult, even after they started winning. The Cowboys were always giving the Skins fits, and their fans were, it seemed to me, pretty arrogant. Then, when the Bucs entered the league, the Cowboys were always a better team, and their fans never let us forget it. I am reminded of the old saying: "If you sit by the river long enough, you can watch the bodies of all your enemies floating by". So, the past season, and Thursday night's game, were especially satisfying, even if too close for comfort. If you are a Dallas Cowboys fan, wait a few years. Your team will most certainly get better. And, from what I saw the other night, that day may come sooner, rather than later. But, for now, allow me to cast off years of frustration, and stand with the ghosts of Redskin and Bucs fans past, and offer you my Meme of the day:
Gronk On Brady Reading Cowboys Defense. I am old enough that I don't get excited about athletes, or religious figures, or politicians anymore. We are all human beings, and most of us have feet of clay. We can be lazy, unmotivated, incompetent, and, in the words of one author, we tend to get promoted until we get in a job at which we are incompetent. Last night, however, I was privileged to see Tom Brady dismantle the Dallas Cowboys with surgical precision. Dak Prescott, the opposing QB was outstanding; but, there is an incandescent quality about Brady that I have never seen in another athlete. I wasn't a Patriots fan, so I didn't watch him often in the past. But, anyone who isn't amazed by what occurred last night is jaded beyond belief. I was literally awed by the performance, and I don't impress easily anymore.
Remember this quote when you watch the NFL draft this week. Nobody knows what the future will bring. Priests and Preachers don't "know" whether there is a Heaven or a Hell. It takes some stones to call yourself a NFL expert, and to claim you know who the stars of the future will be.
