Let’s talk a little football, wanna? So, I kept having to explain to people last night why I wanted the Vikings to win. Obviously the Reggie Bush/Kardashian connection played a role (kidding!) but really it’s more about this:
I can totally appreciate why everyone was pulling for the Saints. All the reasons I knew about (underdog, never been to the Superbowl, coming back from the devastation of Katrina, NO just being a cool town, etc.) and a few I didn’t that a new friend informed me of (I made a friend! Who smokes cigars! So awesome…) like the Manning connection. But here’s the thing — my prediction is that Favre is going to retire, would have anyway even if they took it all the way this year, and I wanted to see a Superbowl win as a career capper. Also, and more importantly, as I watched the Saints play last night I was reminded of the fact that they are a team that needs to be tempered and must mature. They didn’t play with a lot of class last night — they fought hard, don’t get me wrong. And I won’t take that away from them — but there were some dirty hits out of bounds and on players who were already down, and some downright biased officiating that made their win, well, I suppose it took some of the sheen off it. Look I get it — everybody wanted the Saints to win. And I understand the underdog thing — generally that’s how I roll, too. Can’t tell you the parties we had in college the year the Braves went worst to first. (Still have my playoffs and World Series ticket stubs in my scrapbook. Pops was smart to get season tickets that year. Who knew they’d become the best team in baseball? I got to watch many a game behind home plate, field level. Pops, have I told you before you’re some kind of genius? Cause you are…). Good, good times. But — and I won’t win any popularity points for this but then, I’ve never much cared for that kind of thing anyway, I hope the Colts spank the Saints like the baby team they are. Then, next year, we’ll see a team that’s a little more grown up and wins because — well, because they’re a better team.
You’re a gentleman and a helluva QB Favre. Don’t let it get ya down.
So, I made a friend! I went to my little haunt after dance class and allowed myself a few beers — yes, I’m broke but c’mon people. I can’t be a shut-in. What good would that do? — and I met a very cool person who was also there watching football (her parents are big Saints fans so I had to defend the Vikings all night but that’s all part of the fun, man). She invited me to accompany her to this place for the second half of the game and I made even more friends. She gave me a cigar from her rented humidor — yes, this is the kind of person that rents a humidor at a cigar bar with a dude she worked with, who incidentally showed up later and knew a bit about technology so I was in good company. We talked about men and love and work and traveling and kids and football. Sigh. Finally. Friends.
Also, I might be writing about bands again, in a freelance capacity. Rock.
…. good god, woman, you know how to live……. let us hope the Saints make us proud this time…….. I still have one of those shirts from the 1980s that said “Who dat in da playoffs?”……
….. still, as a Tennessee fan, I can’t help but root for Peyton……..
… but, either way, good luck to you and your team………
man i love that you commented! i’m flattered. i do like your writing. real southern gentlemen kind of stuff over your way and, well, let me put it this way, i had a cat named faulkner in college…
and thanks for the compliment — especially since right now i feel like i’m merely existing more than anything else. but i’m on a quest for the spark of life. always.
as for football — secretly, deep, deep down, i like the saints. underdogs pull at my heart. always have, always will. and i was torn about the game before it started — wanting to see favre go out with a win (if he goes out that is…) but feeling the awesomeness of a win for the saints.
UNTIL i watched how they played — kinda low down and dirty — and while football is that kind of game, i think they need a good thrashing by old peyton to whip em into shape and teach em a thing or two. they’ll be a better team for it.
and of course nothing but love for the manning boys. they are amazing, oreo skills and all. as a southerner, tennessee’s in my heart as well — absent anything related to Georgia of course…
you sound a little divided on your pick as well so here’s hoping you get what you want with the outcome.
football’s just a sweaty bunch of beauty aint’ it?
and come back…