A Chance For a Rematch
Folks, this happens to be my most favorite time of year. A hint of fall (perhaps) in the air, as the hot, summer season nears it's end. Our "God-loving" kids are finally back in school. Thank you, Lord and Amen! Pleasant thoughts of the upcoming, holiday season. All of these things are swell, but let's not forget the most important reason. The one thing that makes this time of year so special. The most crucial ingredient of all...Football!
Oh, yes, now we're talking! The anticipation has been not only annoying, but incredibly annoying. It is almost as bad as a "crack junkie" jonesin' for another hit. I take that back. It's worse. Oh, the agony of waiting for so, many months! Pure torture! It just isn't fair!!!
Super Bowl XLIII: The Cards against the Steelers
Super Bowl XLIII: The Cards against the Steelers
Well, thank God, the wait is over. I realize it may be difficult to believe, but it's true. Yes, Folks, football season is here!
Tomorrow evening the Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers will play host to the Super Bowl losing Arizona Cardinals. This will be a preseason match-up. An exhibition game if you will, as the two favorable teams kick-off the start of the NFL season...well, preseason.
Knowing that this is only a preseaon, "exhibition" match-up does not change the significance of the game. With both teams just finishing induring weeks of training and to finally be able to perform against an actual opponent and not just other teammates is significant in itself. It is like a team of unbroken mustangs saddled and tied and chomping at the bits.
The thing that makes this particular game so interesting and important, if you didn't know, is that just a few months ago these two awesome teams faced each other in the Super Bowl.
I remember as if it were yesterday. I was watching the game in my living room. Completely surrounded by Steeler fans, I was truly outnumbered. Living in Arizona and for most of my life made no difference at all as everyone I knew was rooting for Pittsburgh. Everyone except me it seemed.
The Steelers had control for nearly the entire game. Everyone in my house was cheering and carrying on as if they were born and raised in Pittsburgh. "Go Steelers!!!, Go Steelers!!!", they chanted.
I just watched the game. It didn't look very good for the Arizona Cardinals.
That was when things started to change. The Cardinals rallied their asses off and late in the fourth quarter with only 2:37 left on the game clock were leading the Steelers 23-20.
"Go Cardinals!!!, Go Cardinals!!!", I chanted.
"Oh, shut up!", my house full of Steelers fans replied. I didn't really think it was necessary to get upset just because your team was behind.
All for not. Pittsburgh came up with an incredible rally of their own in the closing seconds of the game and sealed the victory 27-23.
Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the reigning Super Bowl Champions of last year. Tomorrow night's game, though exhibition, will be an awesome match-up and is very anticipated. A clash between the two best teams in the NFL.
The Steelers verses the Cardinals. Super Bowl XLIII part 2. Knowing that it doesn't really matter who wins this game is irrelevent. What is significant is that football season is here!
-Michael L. Wilson
