the Mighty Patriots Have Fallen!

At long last, in the final seconds of the Super Bowl, the Patriots have been defeated! Why did so many hope against long odds that the perfect season would end in disaster for the perennial champs? It has to be more that the video-taping scandal, running the score up on hapless opponents, the use of human growth hormones, their smugness and their lack of respect for their opponents and the game. Or maybe their star QB dumping the mother of his child for a super model. Did I mention that he campaigned for Bush? Well, come to think of it, that should be quite enough to round up a sizable posse of haters.

No one among my friends, family or co-workers were pulling for the Patsies. I even lived in Boston and still have lots of friends in Boston and prefer the Celtics to my hometown Lakers. I even like Randy Moss, in spite of his ill-fated detention with my beloved Raiders.

Did the ‘72 Dolphins raise any such opposition from the fans at large? I don’t think so. But there are many successful teams that incite the ire of the public at large; the Yankees and Raiders come to mind. I’m sure there are others.

Why is it that sometimes we want to see the mighty falling on their faces, while other times we raise them on our shoulders to lead the parade? I used to kinda like the Patriots (minus some lingering bitterness over the tuck rule) because they seemed like a bunch of regular guys. After a few rings, half the team have reached super star status, and they have been elevated out of our reach, like an exotic car, a trophy wife or any other enviable luxury. And like the Ferrari Enzo on PCH, we love to see ‘em crash.

Thanks, Patriots for giving the fans what they wanted: a David vs. Goliath rematch in which David finally wins.