We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.” – John Steinbeck, East of Eden
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In the great classics of literature we see that evil often triumphs, but never conquers. By definition, triumphs and victories are short-term in nature. That's the nature of any title, any victor, any champion. There will be another one next year or next game.
When something is conquered, it generally remains conquered forever. Because of the G-Mens' mind-set, the Pats were unable to conquer the Giants, even though they defeated them weeks earlier. They simply refused to be conquered.
The ancient Greeks believed that good and evil are not necessarily found in a good man and an evil man individually. We tend to believe that we as individuals are either good or evil, and that there is a large moat or impenetrable wall, separating the two that we cannot and do not cross. However, history shows, over and over again, that the potential to do good or to do evil lies in all of us and there is a continual struggle for dominance between the two and the victor often depends entirely on the situation or the environment in which we find ourselves .
All men act with what they perceive at the time to be good intentions and it is this dynamic struggle between the two forces--the contesting polarities in our nature-- that gives life's drama vitality and meaning.
The issue is less often whether the good man will triumph over the bad man, but whether good will triumph over evil within the hero.
It's why we watched the game and why, as I predicted, this would be one of the most watched Super Bowls in history. Given the compelling story lines, two large media markets, it could not help but be anything else.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_en_tv/super_bowl_ratings
NEW YORK - Very preliminary findings from 49 of the nation's biggest markets showed that ratings for this year's Super Bowl, with the New York Giants' thrilling win over the New England Patriots, were up 6 percent over last year's big game, according to Nielsen Media Research on Monday.
Experts say those numbers indicate the game has a strong shot at being the most-watched Super Bowl of all time, and the second most-watched broadcast ever.
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Another two universal teaching moments were put on full on full display for all the sports world to see. The first was after Plaxico's prediction (not a guarantee) of a 23-17 victory.
The media then dutifully reported that Tom Brady, perhaps still flush with excitement from his practice romps through the fields of Giselle, was "upset" that Plax only gave the Pat's credit for scoring 17 points. Of course, it was not widely reported that Plax picked one of his past uniform numbers (23) and his current uniform number to arrive at the predicted score.
Real scientific, obviously he put a lot of though into it. Almost like when you take a girlfriend or wife to the track and she wins by picking the winning "horsies" by the silk colors, or the horse name, and just cleans you and your "scientific systems" clock. But I digress.
It turns out that Plax was being more than generous in his assessment of the Pats offense, little Tommy. So next time you are in this position, remember where your team's practice is. Maybe the ankle boot was really an excuse to get out of his team practices and play some touch football with Giselle. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm just saying it may have cost the Pats.
*****GRATUITOUS GISELLE BUNDCHEN PHOTO*****
GISELLE BUNDCHEN: IT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT FOR TOM BRADY TO CONCENTRATE ON FOOTBALL SUNDAY, WITH GISELLE IN HIS BOX. WAIT, IS THAT RIGHT?? NEVER MIND.
*****GRATUITOUS GISELLE BUNDCHEN PHOTO*****
Let's face it, I'm having trouble concentrating on this post right know. NFL coaches are going to have to re-institute the philosophy that was good enough for Mick, Rocky's trainer. No women, they take the legs right out of you. Yeah, but what a way to go, huh?
LESSON LEARNED: Play first: Win first, talk later.
The second example, is the Boston Globe's decision to publish a book titled, 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots and released advance notice of said book in advance of the victory, as if that victory was a given. The book has of course been removed from the various distribution outlets. Too bad, it would go rather nicely with my Billy Ripken baseball card. I'll bet his brother wrote the message on the knob of the bat.
LESSON LEARNED: Play first: Win first, talk later.
OK then, maybe next time the Pats are in this position, they and their fans will know better. Although, I certainly would like a copy of that book. It's sure to be a collectors item.
The larger lessons on display were the Giants continued and undying faith in themselves as a team and their chance to accomplish great things, to make their own history.
I believe that this was very much a clash of good (Giants) versus evil (Patriots). The antics of Coach Bellicheat historically, forged that perception. And even if nothing comes of Congressional involvement or the continued digging by reporters who are enterprising and questioning, the Coach and those who follow him and apologize for his actions, have to answer a moral question for themselves. And they would have had to answer it even if they had won, and had completed the "perfect season" with the Spygate controversy currently swirling about them:
And that question is this:
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? -- Matthew 16:26 and taken from the book "Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practice & priorities of a Winning Life" by Tony Dungy that ironically enough leads into the chapter of the book entitled "Race to the Super Bowl".
How rich is that? Like I have said many times before, you can't make some of this stuff up. You simply cannot write a better script.
Because, ultimately the larger lesson on display yesterday, and the answer to all those who struggle with the moral dilemma that revolves around the all cheating scandals and the issue of "What do we tell the children?"
We tell them this:
Keep the faith
Stay on the right path
Keep doing the right thing
You know the difference between right and wrong
Character Counts
Evil may win some of the battles but eventually, good wins the war
You ultimately want to be on the winning side
We tell them that yes, perhaps Coach Bellichick has three Super Bowl rings and Coach Dungy has "only" one, and that somehow by this measurement that appears to make Bellichick the better coach or the better man. We have to learn how to more properly measure success and how we keep score and define winners and losers, both on the field and in life. In the way I would keep score or measure success, Dungy would triumph over Bellichick by landslide or blowout proportions.
And that's why I thoroughly and completely and overwhelmingly enjoyed the Giants victory yesterday. It was truly a victory that transcended the scoreboard.
WAY TO GO GIANTS
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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