Patriotism

I don't really follow pro football too closely, but that was a classic Super Bowl.  The reason I don't follow it closely is because my team is the Lions, who never get past the first round when they're lucky enough to make it in the playoffs. I didn't know who to root for so, as an alumnus of Michigan, I picked the team with the most notable former Wolverine, which obviously is the Patriots.

At first the game looked like it would be a blowout, and if Brady hadn't thrown that first interception, who knows.  But to everyone's surprise, after having their offense shut down for most of the first two quarters, the Seahawks came back and the game was tied 14-14 at halftime.

So it's down to a thirty-minute game, and now New England goes from Patriots to patsies.  With ten minutes left New England is down ten points, and Tom Brady is thinking maybe next year.  But once again, the Seahawks' offense falters and Brady breaks the record for most Super Bowl TD passes.  Now there's about 8 minutes left and Seattle has a three point lead.  This is when the cable went out at the party I attended, but I assume the Seahawks continued to be hapless.  Only a few minutes left and Brady does it again.

But so what?  Last half Seattle drove down the field an 29 seconds, and now they've got over two minutes.  And sure enough, they're slicing through New England, knowing that a field goal won't do it.  There's an amazing reception by Jermaine Kearse that bounced around but didn't hit the ground, and now Seattle is five yards away from glory.  A running play and they're one yard away.

At this point, everyone in the world is figuring they'll give it to Marshawn Lynch (again)--he should be able to burrow into the end zone, and, anyway, there's a timeout left.  But Pete Carroll's too smart for that.  He has Russell Wilson pass and it's picked off by Malcolm Butler. (Next we're wondering how can Brady take a knee if he's in the end zone, but that was taken care of by a foolish defensive penalty.)

About half the people at the party were rooting for the Seahawks, so it was fascinating to see their exasperation.  Both sides had plenty to bother them along the way, but to have your team come so close and fail must be maddening.  I'm sure it'll give Pete Carroll a lot to think about for the next six months.  He probably figured if the pass doesn't work he can run on the next play.  Keep thinking that, Pete.

PS  I heard Katy Perry had a weird show, but I was out taking a walk during halftime.