If I had any friends on Facebook who didn't realize that I am a lifelong Saints fan, they are now fully aware of this fact. Beginning in the second half of Sunday night's NFC Championship game, I began a running commentary on my profile page that ranged from optimistic, to encouraging, to frustrated, to forlorn and, finally, exhilarated. As Garrett Hartley lined up for his Super Bowl clinching kick, I was certain he would miss it. "Not in a million years," I proclaimed.
All I could think about was the field goal he shanked on the afternoon of December 27 against the lowly Tampa Bay Bucs that would have clinched home field advantage for the Saints in the play-offs. After the Bucs won the game in overtime, my Dad and I both realized we had witnessed a Saints game reminiscent of those we watched when we lived in St. Charles Parish 25 years ago. The template for those contests were along these lines: Saints grab an early lead, make a few boneheaded plays and then, eventually, choke away what seemed a certain win. Heading into the play-offs, it was an ominous reminder that even after a 13 game winning streak, we were still pulling for a team that does not have any of its former players in the Hall of Fame. Thankfully, the following evening, Hartley's miss proved irrelevant when the Chicago Bears pulled out a gritty overtime win against the Vikings, ensuring that the road to Miami would go through the Dome. After the Bears victory, I thought that maybe all of the voodoo hexes that the Saints have endured over the years were finally lifting.
When Hartley's kick sailed through the uprights, I did my best impersonation of Phil Mickelson after he sunk a clutch putt on the 18th hole at Augusta National to win the Master's. We called Mom and Dad. "That was exhausting," Dad said.
I won't rehash all of the commentary from the people who get paid to do it. I am, however, dumbfounded by how much the talking heads love #4, especially Chris Berman and Tom Jackson at ESPN. Even last night, a full 24 hours after "the gunslinger" threw the crucial interception that essentially lost the game for the Vikings, Jackson was still, literally, professing his love for him. But that's okay. Those guys are suckers for good quotes and colorful characters and Mr. Courageous has always fit the bill.
Thanks for indulging my allegiance to the Black and Gold over the past few days. Hopefully, I'll have something meaningful to say as it relates to my writing soon. In the meantime, the countdown to Super Bowl 44 continues. Enjoy the ride my fellow Saints fans. We've definitely earned a little time in the spotlight. Cheers.
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