You survived the Patriots’ dynasty so this too shall pass
Fans of the Los Angeles Rams and most everyone else had a tough time watching the Chiefs return to yet another Super Bowl on Sunday. Kansas City will play the Eagles in a rematch of the big game from just two seasons ago. NFL fans have no doubt been completely rational since last night’s AFC Championship went final:
“Eagles and Chiefs again?! I’m gonna boycott the Super Bowl!”
No, you won’t. You’ll be drowning your sorrows with fried foods like the rest of us.
“That’s it, I’m done watching football!”
Uh-huh, see you in September.
There are way too many others that I could’ve included but they aren’t worth my time or yours.
Watching Buffalo lose in heartbreaking fashion nearly broke my soul as a football fan. I had never felt that defeated after watching an NFL game. I’ve been madder than hell after many games, but no loss ever made me feel like this. Maybe we deserve this after depending on the eternally damned Bills in an important game. Sorry Buffalo, we put too much pressure on you! We should have known better. Our bad.
Despite a Chiefs Super Bowl becoming an annual tradition, die-hard fans of the sport will always be drawn to football. It’s a national obsession and there’s no getting away from it. We watch the sport because of the passion we have for the teams we love—no matter how much they may piss us off or rip our hearts out.
Sometimes we watch out of hate for a team or player, which is what most of the country will do on Feb. 9. Again, there is always a reason for us being drawn to football. We love this sport too much to throw away a lifetime of passion. There is no quitting because for better or worse—mostly worse—you’re hooked.
That doesn’t mean the sport is without its problems. With the Chiefs appearing in their fifth SB in the last six years, the NFL has a parity problem or an uneven distribution of wealth between the title contenders and basement dwellers. Isn’t that an appropriate metaphor for the United States?
Sure, the league sees a handful of new playoff participants yearly, but they are usually not a match for the top contenders at full strength. Washington learned that much in Philly. Including the Rams’ defeat of Tennessee in the 2000 Super Bowl, 20 of the NFL’s 32 franchises have appeared in the big game, with 11 making repeat appearances. Only seven of those teams managed to win their first Lombardi Trophy.
Breaking it down even more: 12 teams have never won a Super Bowl and four have never advanced that far. That’s par for the course compared to the three other North American professional sports leagues. The NBA and NHL have 10 teams that have never won a championship, while the MLB has five franchises that haven’t won the World Series.
Remember when parity would be in full force once the Patriots’ dynasty ended? Yeah, we haven’t been that lucky with the Chiefs taking their place. Dynasties are inescapable in the NFL as they’ve occurred in every decade of its existence. The underdogs we root for today might become tomorrow’s pain in the ass for the next decade.
As much as we may hate to admit it, deep down we enjoy having a dynasty around because it gives us a reason to continue watching. We root for David to beat Goliath. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll be back next season.
Everyone has a reason to be upset or disappointed we’re getting a repeat on the game’s biggest stage next month. Regardless of our feelings, that doesn’t mean we should slander the game for baseless conspiracy theories. That’s right, I’m talking about the bone-headed rumors that have circulated over the last few years that the NFL is scripted.
Who honestly cares if a bombshell report comes out saying the NFL is scripted? Live sports are in the business of entertainment. The shows and movies you watch are scripted and you’re fine with that, so what’s the big stink? Oh, that’s right, because of all the money put into betting on sports. So, you’re trying to tell me no one has bet on the winner of “Squid Game” ahead of season three? You’re missing out!
Football brings out all sorts of emotions depending on what happens on the field. The reasons that attract us to the game we hold dear are many. All I know is, I won’t let the Chiefs’ success ruin my enjoyment of football, and neither should you. Since we’re all survivors of the Patriots’ dynasty, I promise you that this too shall pass.
