We we learned from Superbowl XLII

What have we learned ten days after the New York Giants stunned the unbeaten Patriots in Superbowl XLII? Perhaps the same thing we learned when the Jets upset the Colts in Superbowl III. The lesson we should have learned in watching the Colorado Rockies go almost a month without losing in their run to the World Series. Hell, I’ll even go as far back to the 1980 US hockey team that pulled a miracle on a frozen pond in Lake Placid one Friday afternoon. We learned that in an era where stories of dog fighting, steroids, HGH and alleged cheating dominate the limelight; there is still room for an underdog story to come along and remind us of the beauty and appreciation that draws us to sports in general.
Now in no way am I possibly comparing the Giants win to the Miracle in Lake Placid. The US hockey team’s win over the Soviets on their way to the gold medal lifted a nation whom up to that point had taken hits to the gut thanks to global conflict and a staggering economy. Nor is it bigger than the Jets win that shaped the way the NFL is today. But New York’s victory should not be belittled by any means. Honestly, did anyone actually think that the team led by a beleaguered coach and a heavily scrutinized quarterback had a chance against a team that went five months without losing a single game?
Yet, there was Tom Brady being hammered time and time again by the Giants pass rush. Brady smugly brushed off Plaxico Burress’ 23-17 prediction days earlier. As it turned out, Burress gave the Patriots offense too much credit. There was Tom Coughlin out coaching the proclaimed genius Bill Belichick; Coughlin was basically fired one year ago after a second half meltdown that saw the Giants fall to 8-8 and a wild card exit. And there was Peyton’s little brother Eli leading his team to a game winning touchdown drive just moments after Brady led his team down field to take the lead. Everyone from fans and media to even his former teammate Tiki Barber had bashed Eli Manning’s ability to lead and his performances throughout his four year career. But as the time hit triple zeros, it was the team that was far from –perfect that had written their own perfect ending while preventing perfection. A historic game it did become, just not the history that the world had anticipated.
What we learned was that nothing is a given in sports but what we truly learned is that we need these teams and individuals to come along every once in a while to remind us what sports is truly about. It always comes down to the best teams on any given day. What we witness in Glendale Arizona is what we as sports fans needed now more than ever as each day pass and each seemingly invincible figure gets exposed. The New York Giants improbable championship gave us sports fans and an entire city a feel good story that we can talk about to remind beat writers and so-called experts the thrill of anything can happen. Not because we wanted it but because we needed it.