Jill, official older daughter of NewMexiKen, reports on yesterday’s Colts-Patriots game. I should add that six-year-old Mack has been sick (temp of 104° Saturday):
Thanks to all who offered support and cheers for Mack’s Colts yesterday. He did watch the whole game, despite the fact that it almost killed him. I do not think I have ever seen a human being so wracked by so many emotions in so short a time. It was actually frightening.
When the Patriots scored in the third quarter to go ahead 28-21, it was like Mack simply could not take it anymore. He melted into a pool of despair and tears, exclaiming that it was all over. I kept saying, “Mack, there is so much time left!” He’d sob, “No! (gasp) In the FIRST (sob) quarter there is a lot of (gasp) time left. Now it is (sob sob) too laaaaate!”
When the game ended he didn’t really cheer. He was truly overcome. It was kind of hilarious and kind of scary. Then he immediately started weeping, saying “The Bears are better. They are going to lose in the Super Bowl to the Bearrrrrrrrrrrrs!” Ah, genetics is a strange and powerful force.
Self-confidence is such an important part of being a world-class athlete that I truly believe Peyton Manning would never have recovered if New England had gone on to win once they lead 21-3. It’s a fine testimony to Manning’s leadership that the Colts came from behind three four times to win the game.
Besides, Sunday night was about Manning over everyone else. A lightning rod over the years for sports radio hosts, football experts, talking heads and snarky columnists like myself, Manning seemed profoundly snakebitten after last year’s Steelers loss and utterly incapable of carrying his team when it mattered. He had become the A-Rod or C-Webb of his sport, a mortal lock to melt down in every big game. Hell, any football fan has probably attempted an off-the-cuff imitation of the Manning Face at some point. Even last week against the Ravens, Manning was throwing the ball up for grabs and dancing in the pocket like a contestant on “You’re the One That I Want.” His body language never seemed right, not even during the first half last night, after the Pats scored on a fumble recovery by their left guard and CBS showed a great replay of Manning reacting like a little kid who just had his Big Wheel taken away. Nothing about the guy inspired real confidence. He needed a borderline miracle to turn things around.
. . .Unlike the famous QBs from the ’80s and ’90s (Marino, Elway, Montana, Favre) or even Brady right now, Manning never gives you that feeling that he stepped right off the set of a sports movie to save the day. He’s exceedingly human, dorky and endearing, the kind of guy who might have a giant pimple pulsating on his forehead during a big game. Even as Brady was trying to save the game in the last minute, Manning remained sitting on his own bench, his head bowed, staring at the ground and terrified to look up. Almost like he was sitting in a hospital waiting room awaiting the results of a blood test. He certainly didn’t seem like your typical football hero.