Last Sunday was a great day for NFL football.
Both the NFC (NY Giants and SF 49ers) and the AFC (Baltimore Ravens and NE Patriots) Championship games came down to the final moments before a winner was finally crowned.
Each game had their own heroes and goats - they were clear, even the most novice of football fans. The Ravens kicker missed a "chip-shot" field goal to send the game into overtime, while the 49ers kick returner bumbled two key plays - one late in the 4th quarter and one in overtime - to allow the Giants to advance to the Super Bowl. In each instance, those players will forever be linked to "causing" the demise of their respective teams. I would be surprised if either player continues to play for their current team.
Fair - not so much...but that is the beauty of sport. The agony of defeat cuts deep, reel deep.
We all have our favorite Heroes and Goats - I would say the barometer to achieve Hero or Goat status is whether or not the "moment" is identifiable just with ther name. The ones listed below qualify, but I have provided a bit of clarity (just in case).
Hero:
- Michael Jordan - try to pick one moment
- Brandy Chastain - PK winner in the Woman's World Cup
- Christian Laetner - Game winner over Kentucky
- Kirk Gibson - Walk off home-run in the World Series
- Willis Reed - Hobling to the court at Madison Square Garden
Goat:
- Scott Norwood - Bills Kicker, wide left
- Bill Buckner - World Series gaff
- Leon Luft - Dallas Cowboy lineman who "tried" to recover the football v. Dolphins
- Patrick Ewing - missed layup in Game seven of his only NBA final
- Chris Weber - Timeout in Championship game (with no TO's remaining)
What are some of your favorites?
mj
_. I just found your blog and it is amazing. I surely will read this again.
Posted by: Steven | 01/31/2012 at 04:16 AM