It’s that time of year again – Super Bowl time! Or has it officially become “Brady Bowl” time?
Oh look, it’s late January – again. And Brady and the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl – again.
Sigh – didn’t we see this re-run ad nauseum already?
This one IS a little different – even if it IS a Super Bowl re-match.
Let’s go back – seemingly a lifetime ago – to Super Bowl XXXVI: Rams, the “Greatest Show on Turf” looking for another title; the Patriots, fresh off the “tuck rule” gift led by a backup quarterback from Michigan. A team that had never won the big game – in fact had not even come close in their previous two tries.
It seemed a David-Goliath tilt: With the Rams playing the “evil” giant and the Patriots the seemingly mis-matched hero David. Also in play at the time was a nation still reeling from recent, horrific events. How fitting would it be, I told myself and others at our viewing party, for a team called the “Patriots,” to win the Super Bowl?
And so it was: Our hero David stepped up and slew the giant. Good won over evil. Never mind that the TRUE hero was Adam Vinatieri – the one that SHOULD have won the MVP that day, but – moving on.
I remember feeling good about that game – and that Tom Brady found a way.
If I had only known….
17 years and 8 additional Super Bowls later:
I am reminded of a line from The Dark Knight: You either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villain. Tom Brady and the Patriots have more than lived long enough to swap roles.
I know the common retorts: “They hate us cuz they aint us.” “You mad, bro?” “Tell the other teams to get better.” And on and on. “Gates” and the luxury of playing in one of the weakest division of a generation aside, I have acknowledged a couple of years back that, yes: Brady is the Greatest Of All Time. After all, he’s won more Super Bowls than any other quarterback of his era.
Then again, he’s also LOST more Super Bowls than any other quarterback of his era. But hey, getting there counts for something too.
If the storyline had been a one-and-done deal, it would have remained a positive vibe for Brady. Heck, if it had ended with Super Bowl XXXIX, having confirmed dynasty status, it STILL would have remained a positive vibe. But, somehow, the world was not enough.
Brady became one of those gluttonous in-laws at one of those all-you-can-eats. He kept coming back to the table – a dinner guest who had long-since overstayed their welcome. It then became about being “perfect.” A dream (thankfully) denied. Then it was about getting this record, that record – including most rings. No one else could have anything nice for themselves it seems – to Brady, it’s all for him and him alone. Heck, New England's mantra is "We're still here" and "Not Done."
And one more win, I've been reminded Very Importantly, would allow New England to match the Steelers for most rings. Never mind that the Cowboys and 49ers have been right on Pittsburgh's tail far longer than the Pats (San Francisco nearly got their sixth years ago). Never mind that they are also one more LOSS away from sole possession of a whole different record. But again, it's all "Brady, Brady, Brady." Imagine how much more we'd have to stomach with another win. "Oh, he's the greatest and he can do all these things he's so perfect - and he hovers...." and on and on.
And one more win, I've been reminded Very Importantly, would allow New England to match the Steelers for most rings. Never mind that the Cowboys and 49ers have been right on Pittsburgh's tail far longer than the Pats (San Francisco nearly got their sixth years ago). Never mind that they are also one more LOSS away from sole possession of a whole different record. But again, it's all "Brady, Brady, Brady." Imagine how much more we'd have to stomach with another win. "Oh, he's the greatest and he can do all these things he's so perfect - and he hovers...." and on and on.
I know this smacks of jealously and “hateration.” But if you look at him, with your eyes open, and actually putting your bias aside you see it. You see it in his fake modesty. You see it in his looks to the camera. The arrogance and “I’m better than you – and I know that you know it” air. I have honestly stopped watching anything Brady because seeing things always working out for the villain is not the ending you want. Phillip Rivers should have gotten a chance at getting to The Show. We should have been treated to a battle of young Lions this year. We should be seeing some new blood on both sides getting a chance to eat – but Brady just won’t leave. Evil is triumphing over Good.
When the 49ers and Cowboys tied, then passed, the Steelers for most rings with 5 years back, I was bummed - but always could respect what those teams - and quarterbacks - had done. You never saw the level of arrogance and entitlement with Montana and Aikman as you do with Brady.
Regardless of any insistence to the contrary, Brady is the villain, has become the bad guy - and I'm far from the only one who thinks so.
When the 49ers and Cowboys tied, then passed, the Steelers for most rings with 5 years back, I was bummed - but always could respect what those teams - and quarterbacks - had done. You never saw the level of arrogance and entitlement with Montana and Aikman as you do with Brady.
Regardless of any insistence to the contrary, Brady is the villain, has become the bad guy - and I'm far from the only one who thinks so.
Fast forward to now: SBLIII is a rematch of SBXXXVI – only this time Jared Goff is David and Brady is Goliath. Can the new David do the same thing as his predecessor? You’d think the next generation can finally nudge the veteran aside. But, as Mike Tomlin would say: Just because you’re built for, it doesn’t mean you’re owed it.
The roles have indeed changed – but in many respects the story line has not. And, hopefully, neither will the ending….
