Finding Peace With Football

This past Sunday as I sat in front of the television watching the obligatory Titans game I had a sinking feeling in my chest. Across the scrolling ticker it said that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady left the game with a knee injury. My head grew dizzy as I realized there would be no reason to watch football any longer this year and it was only week one!

As it turns out the Patriots went on to win their game with back-up QB Matt Cassell and it was confirmed that Brady was done for the season. After a day or so of brooding I was able to make up my mind about the season ahead. Sure Brady is the leader of my favorite team and the defending league MVP but why should I give up?

Ever since I was little I have been a fan of the Pats and no one from those teams still plays in the league. It occurred to me that I need to remember that I root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the ones on the back. I can’t give up on my team in their biggest moment of adversity.

I checked the schedule again and realized that it is pretty timid as far a defending conference champion is concerned. That is a positive. Also, the rest of the team is still healthy, at least for now. The man replacing Brady, Matt Cassell KNOWS the offensive system, he took the snaps in pre-season and damnit, he can make the throws. Sure we won’t be blowing teams out like last year but who cares. A win is a win, right?

All these boys have to do is make the playoffs and we all know that once that happens all bets are off. You all know that most people thought that the Patriots couldn’t be beaten in the playoffs last year but they were. Who is to say that they can’t play the role of spoiler this year? I am going to remain positive until my guys prove me wrong.

**By the way, all of you people on the message boards, etc, who found humor in the injury to Brady disgust me.

Remembering On Patriot Day*

We all remember what we were doing on September 11, 2001. I was at home watching television while having the first and only true fears of my life. I believed that I could never be safe if someone was able to attack us on our own soil. I am sure everyone felt this way.

The creepiness of the whole situation was escalated in my mind for another reason. On September 10, 2001 I was in New York City. I saw the World Trade Center towers. What if I decided to extend my trip?

Seven years later the images of that day are still disturbing. Personally, I have gotten over my fears. They almost seem irrational. Have you gotten over yours?

Anytime I think of this time period the following quote comes to mind:

“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.”

* On a side note, calling today Patriot Day annoys me as it seems to confuse today with what I have known my whole life as Patriots’ Day which, if I am remembering correctly, as a child was the day they ran the Boston Marathon and there was a special day game at Fenway Park. It was a day that we honored Paul Revere, etc. Maybe I am just whining too much today.