I have to admit that the NGS judges’ first assignment this week rubbed me the wrong way.And I was surprised after reading the finalists’ submissions that no one else seemed to feel the same.See, the notion of one team “deserving” to win a game in any sport, let alone the Super Bowl, strikes me as ridiculous.
The beauty of sports is that winner is decided on the field.Two teams or competitors duke it out for an allotted period of time, and, in the end, one emerges victorious.Each team is provided the same opportunity to prove itself – the same rules apply, hence the term, “level playing field.”
Sure some things might not be completely even – a key player may be injured, calls may get blown, etc. – but that’s the way life is.We all have different levels of skill and ability and obstacles that we must overcome to succeed, and so do athletic teams.
The team that “deserves” to win is the one that puts it together on the field in the course of competition.Each game is a clean slate.It doesn’t matter what you did last week, or the week before, or 10 games ago.It doesn’t matter whose home town the game is played in or whose fans are rowdier.What matters is how, at that precise moment, each team plays.Worthiness is decided on the field.
To paraphrase Kirsten Dunst in what is possibly my favorite guilty pleasure movie, you've got to bring it. The person or team that does "deserves" to win, plain and simple.
I agree with everything you said here. Bring it on and let the best team win. Although I never saw that Kirsten Dunst film, I remember her from Spiderman. One more thing, I did not say anything about the judges, because it has done nothing to this date. Being disappointed by them at this stage is old hat. They have jaded this competition for quite awhile now.
I agree 100% Domer. If I were to write an asignment about that, your blog would've been what I would've said. I'm so sick of everyone saying this team deserves it more.
And I love "Bring It On", too. Nothing to be guilty about. But I didn't like the sequel.
Eh, it is what it is. I accepted long ago that Fox, and the readers, wanted someone who would make outrageous statements and get people riled up instead of looking for pure writing ability. Otherwise Norcal would not have been tossed so early.
true enough, Domer, which is why I'd never participate in this contest again. I enjoy the community and the exchange of ideas, but I'd never do the contest again. If I wanted to manipulate voters and pander to people for a living, I'd become a politician.
DC: How right you are. Joey Porter and his "I'm going to knock you out of the game" statements aren't going to have any tremendous impact on the game whatsoever. The Hawks are ready for him/them, have been, will be, and vice versa. The only time that we can make any statement with certainty (other than the obvious...on any given Sunday...)is one minute after the ending gun on Sunday. Both teams deserve to be there, or they wouldn't be. So everyone should just be quiet about it and let it be what it will be.
DMAT, you're talking to someone who bleeds ND blue and gold. I love Bettis, have for years. Would love to see him win the championship that's eluded him. But he doesn't "deserve" to win because everyone agrees he's a great guy and has had a great career. The Steelers have got to settle the argument on the field. Otherwise, what's the point? It's like figure skating; just give the annointed one the medal and save us the drama.
I am a chick who lives for sports -- football, hockey, college basketball, lacrosse, you name it.
As a girl from Baltimore married to a guy from Pittsburgh, my football loyalties and love for my husband are put to the test every weekend. Fortunately, he's an understanding guy.
As is our dog, who loves his football, and my beloved Irish.
